BY PADDY WALSH
IT’S Wimbledon fortnight and the distinct sound of racket striking ball is evident all over the courts mixed in with the voices of the victors and the vanquished.
Not quite London SW but to those engaged in attempting to make their shots count, the exercise value is much the same and the thrill of a controlled volley or a successful lob from the baseline doesn’t lessen with the worth of the tournament or a knockabout doubles set.
For those who haven’t made it along to Letterkenny Tennis Club – and according to senior coach, Gerry Clarke, that amounts to a high percentage of the population of the town and its hinterland – they will, if they serve up intentions to go there, be hugely impressed with the facilities on offer.
And will be even more so when the planned dome provides cover on the club’s only clay court – permission having been recently granted for its erection.
This is a club that has been going places since it came into existence in 1997 – featuring as it does five courts, two mini-courts and a clubhouse.
And the enthusiasm of all those involved whether in a coaching or playing capacity.
The club boasts a membership of 200 plus – a figure that would be increased significantly were it not for its location.
“Our problem is visibility or lack of it,” Gerry insists.
Tucked in behind the Regional Cultural Centre and shadowed by the imposing structure of Letterkenny Courthouse, the club’s impressive facilities cannot be seen by a passing public.
“You just can’t see the place from either the High Road or the Port Road. Tennis is a minority sport and we suffer from that but we also suffer from invisibility. We’d double our membership if people knew we were here.”
Prior to the building of the courthouse, the club enjoyed a right of way but that has since been closed off.
And yet on this particular Monday morning and indeed any morning or afternoon, there’s a real energy about the place.
Here are the summer camps for the junior kids revelling in the facilities and the coaching they are receiving.
“If they weren’t here, they’d be home in their bedrooms on their phones. This is a healthy outlet for them,” says Gerry.
At the far end of the grounds, a group of women are cracking racket against ball on the clay court. “We have a ladies session on Mondays and Fridays and they come religiously for it. And on Wednesday nights, we have adult beginners classes and often the participants become members as a result.”
He points to those men who hang up their football boots in their thirties or forties and turn to golf as a sporting pursuit. Gerry Clarke has news for them!
“Golf is an aerobically poor sport, I’m sorry to say, it’s just a walk basically, albeit with a social element.
“But tennis is a great sport to play after you’ve finished playing football.
“And we have men of all ages coming in groups to play. It’s just a very beneficial and healthy activity after your footballing days.”
Long after your football days indeed. Some of those showing up on the tennis courts in Letterkenny are in their seventies and in one case, Letterkenny Tennis Club can boast not just a player operating in his mid-eighties but an Olympian to boot!
A native of Iraq, Amer Samuri arrived here twenty years ago and joined the local club where he still brings his talent onto the court.
“As you can see around here today, tennis is for all ages,” coach Clarke maintains.
The club is also involved in a special needs programme, having linked up with St. Bernadette’s school in Letterkenny and with Transition Year students. “There are over 100 kids involved in that programme.”
The summer camps, staged from Mondays to Thursdays, are also progressing avidly at the club.
Chairperson of Letterkenny Tennis Club, Antoinette O’Keefe, describes it as a “great social sport” where friends are made and anyone can play regardless of ability.
“You don’t have to be good to be here and it’s great for your well being. My own three teenage kids play tennis and love it.”
Antoinette’s predecessor, Dean Powell’s twins, aged four and a half, are taking part in the summer camps and again finding rich enjoyment from the sport.
“It’s a great sport to be involved in from a young age. I’ve been playing since I was ten and it really develops you as a person.”
It’s a game that requires, says Dean mental toughness and problem solving. “Sometimes it’s hard to shine in a team sport – here you are king of your court.”