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A dedicated group of tennis players in Warkworth is proving that age is no barrier to fun and fitness.
They have been getting together for social tennis every Wednesday morning for nearly 25 years.
There are at least two 87 year olds – Des Sharp and Gerry Brown – with the youngest player being a mere 65 years old. The “regulars” include Warkworth Tennis Club patron Gloria Wilmot.
“Affectionately known as the Old Diggers Club, this elite group of athletes, whose members have changed only a little over time, epitomises what being part of the club is all about,” player Roz Callender says.
Many of the players have been club office bearers and Sharp has been doing the racquet restringing for more than 20 years.
The group includes retired farmers, teachers, truck drivers, an airline pilot, hairdresser, beekeeper, accountant, tech guru and a couple of forestry workers. It was ‘blokes only’ until one day they found themselves short of a 12th ‘man’ and roped in a sprightly, younger woman to fill a gap.
There are now two women – Wilmot and Callender – on the team.
“The morning always starts with a ‘seniors’ warm up, and things can get a little dodgy when no-one can remember the score, who’s serving or which side of the court they’re on,” Callender says. “But it’s the company, stories and friendships that make a good game of tennis great!”
