Tennis at Seachange – all for the LOVE of the game!

Playing tennis is a serious business for Carolyn Morrow and the rest of her tennis group. “We’re all more into tennis than a hit and a giggle,” she said. “We’re really committed to playing but, yes, we do still have time for social chit chat.” Carolyn’s husband Terry, a former tennis coach, taught her to play when she was ‘nearly 50ʼ and 25 years on, she still enjoys it just as much as when she first started in 1994.

The couple moved into Seachange Arundel in 2015 where they continued to serve up those match points, joining the community tennis club for regular games. Sadly, however, Terry fell into ill health. “He wanted to make sure I was somewhere nice, safe and secure, like Seachange Arundel, but that also had plenty of activities in which to take part,” Carolyn said. “This a really safe community environment – and it was really handy to the Gold Coast Hospital too for all his medical needs. “But he had a blood problem and passed away about a year and a half ago at the age 80.”

The now 75-year-old, however, continues the tradition of playing tennis about three times a week and to ensure she can keep playing also goes to the Seachange Arundel gym to do some light weight training. “I have to ensure I keep myself up and running so I go to the gym to keep my arms working properly. I do want to keep it up so need to keep well,” she said. “We all keep ourselves pretty healthy without knocking ourselves around too much. The tennis courts are made from artificial grass, so we don’t have to play on a hard surface risking injury. “We keep fit while having a nice social get together too – although we are on the court a fair bit. We’re all really committed to playing.”

Tennis group co-ordinator Rod Alford said the group had been running for 10 years and had about 40 members ranging in age from 55 to 85. When Carolyn isn’t on the tennis court, she can be found partaking in Seachange Arundel’s line dancing get-togethers twice a week or riding to the club house on her bicycle. “I also do tap dancing in Southport and would love to find someone to kayak with on a more regular basis – I still have my favourite light weight double and a single kayak,” she said.