Free tennis program to help you bounce back launches at Primrose Park, Cremorne.

By JACK KELLY

A free program aimed at connecting the community through tennis has launched at Primrose Park in Cremorne.

RALLY4EVER, founded by former professional tennis player and Grand Slam Commentator Louise Pleming, is improving the mental and physical wellbeing of residents, with new members joining the fun each week.

Purpose-built for the community and designed to get people moving again, while forming friendships along the way, the program offers professional coaching is the first of its kind on the lower north shore.

Belinda, who is a local, loves the idea of a social group close to her doorstep.

“I love playing tennis. It’s just great to be physically active and meeting all these other people is really good fun and it’s a beautiful place down here at Primrose Park. Lots of nature and wildlife, so it’s really peaceful.”

Susan stumbled on the program via the internet and hasn’t looked back since.

“I saw this on one of the internet sites and thought wow, this sounds absolutely perfect. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was,” she said.

“Boris – the coach – is fantastic. It’s bringing in a whole lot of social people and it’s a lot of fun.”

Another resident, Sean, is impressed by the coach’s ability to involve a group of people with varying skill sets.

“The coaches are very good, they’ll adapt to everyone’s skill level. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re beginner, intermediate, you will always learn something and it’s free, which helps.”

Jenny Lambert is a volunteer at Rally4Ever and told Mosman Collective the organisation was founded after was ex tennis pro, Louise Plemming met a keen tennis player at a homeless kitchen.

“I first met Lou at a soup kitchen in Kings Cross,” she said, “One day a homeless man recognised her and knew she’d been a professional player.”

“He told us that his name was Brian and he once had hopes of playing on the pro circuit, but we didn’t believe him.”

“And then the two of them started hitting.”

Mental health issues had ended Brian Turton’s hopes of becoming a professional tennis career and he’d been living on the streets for years, estranged from his family and friends.

The pair started hitting balls together on a regular basis, forming an incredible friendship that would ultimately help Brian get back on his feet.

This gave Louise the idea to establish Rally4Ever, an organisation that now has over 30 programs running nationally today.

“My main experience is at Woolloomooloo because that’s where it first started,” Jenny said.

“I love the fact that if it’s rained out, I’ll see on the WhatsApp that everyone makes it regardless of whether there’s tennis they will go and meet at a cafe… this is the first one on the North Shore I can already see a great mixture of people, so we’re very lucky.”

The programs at Primrose Park Tennis Courts are held every Tuesday during school terms in the late mornings and early afternoons.

There are shifting schedules for times, for more information visit the Rally4Ever website.