Serving with a smile

Serving with a smile

BY ELLIE CLIFFORD

Trish Scott is experiencing some time off from playing tennis. The 83-year-old is waiting for some stitches to be removed from her leg before she can get back on the courts. “My tennis club is in Richmond, Nelson, and Tuesdays is Ladies’ Day,” the Summerset in the Sun resident says.

Trish thanks her older brother for her long-standing enjoyment of the sport. At the age of 10 she would watch him don his tennis whites and go off to play, but it wasn’t until she was 12 that she tried tennis out for herself. “I presented myself to the St Albans Tennis Club in Christchurch every day after school. Before too long I became a junior team member. Saturday mornings would mean visiting other clubs, biking from St Albans, where I lived, to Cashmere for tennis throughout the summer, which was great.”

Always keen on physical activities, Trish was fortunate to attend an all-girls college in Christchurch that had a strong sports programme. Despite being petite, she made the A-team for basketball. “I was easily the shortest and youngest on the team,” she says, laughing. “But I’m fast. I’d much rather run than walk. I still would.”

As Trish got older and sharpened her tennis skills further, she began to compete more and more. “I moved to Ashburton in the 1960s. We travelled all around the region playing other clubs. A highlight was becoming a team member of Mid Canterbury ladder — where you play matches against other members in your group. This included challenging Canterbury teams. For example, Town (Canterbury) versus Country, which was Mid Canterbury. These matches took place on the grass courts at the amazing Wilding Park.” Later, Trish was made vice president of the Ashburton Tennis Club.

After returning to Christchurch, Trish regained her membership at her previous club. Alongside playing tennis, she threw herself into the social side of the sport, becoming a committee member. “Ladies’ tennis organiser, function assistant, entertainer! I always enjoyed every position,” Trish recalls.

In the 1990s Trish became ill, leading to a 10-year gap in her tennis playing. Although she had limited mobility and needed a Mobility Parking permit in her car, she kept her tennis gear in her car boot, living in the hope that she would one day play again. That hope paid off in 2009, when Trish was able to return to her beloved sport. “I regained my strength, and I was back on the courts. It was remarkable, really.”

Trish is delighted to be playing again.

Trish with her Mobility Card

In 2013, Trish spent Christmas in Nelson with her family. On a whim, she decided to check out the Summerset in the Sun village with her daughter. “It was love at first sight! The next March, I became resident number 84. It was early days for the village then – I have been here almost 10 years!”

Trish at home in Summerset in the Sun.

Photos by Steve Hussey at Steve Hussey Photography

“We seem to be a very active lot here. Table tennis, swimming in our wonderful pool. We enjoy many events, dressing appropriately when a theme is involved.”

Being near to her family meant that Trish was able to play tennis with them, particularly her grandson, who was being coached in the sport. When his coach saw grandmother and grandson having a game, he suggested they take part in an upcoming parent and pupil tournament at the college. “We teamed up and we successfully won a trophy for our games. Obviously, both being left-handed players gave us an advantage, as competitors had difficulty assessing which direction the balls would go!” As active in the village as she is playing tennis, Trish throws herself into Summerset life with gusto, enjoying singing and performing in particular. At the annual remembrance ceremony held in the village’s care centre, Trish joins the visiting families of passed residents, who appreciate hearing her singing. And on Anzac Day she dresses up as Dame Vera Lynn and sings ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’, encouraging the care centre residents to join in with her.

Trish with the trophy she won with her grandson.

“Our village presents a lovely atmosphere – we are one big, happy family.”

“We seem to be a very active lot here. Table tennis, swimming in our wonderful pool. We enjoy many events, dressing appropriately when a theme is involved. Feathers and plumes were on display when a recent Brazilian festival took place. Our village presents a lovely atmosphere – we are one big, happy family.”