Nicks Story

They weren’t seasoned players, Nick freely admits tennis isn’t his main sport.  However, watching the two of them rally on the court next to me, talking, laughing, and stay on court far longer than expected, it was clear they were exactly the kind of young people tennis often struggles to reach, and exactly who clubs could be paying attention to.

Nick grew up playing football. Like many young people, he started early and played seriously. But over time, the competitive environment became overwhelming. “When it got too competitive, I found it testing, it made me anxious, so I dropped out,” he says. Social football brought him back. The pressure eased, friendships grew, and sport became enjoyable again. That experience has shaped how he now views all physical activity.

“Tennis on Anzac Day was about good friends, a fun activity, and being in a space where people can just be who they are,” he explains. For Nick, tennis has a unique appeal, “tennis is any age, any gender, any ability,” he says. “You can dictate the pace, you book a court, you play the way you want to.” No feeling of letting a team down, just being active, connecting, and enjoyment, things many young people are actively looking for after stepping away from organised sport.

When asked if he’d be more likely to play at a club if he could 'just turn up and have a hit', Nick is open. “I don’t really know anything about tennis clubs,” he says, but what he imagines is “Over-competitive. Older people. Signing up and committing. “The other thing for Nick is that joining a club alone feels daunting. “I’d want to join with friends. I need to know there are like-minded people, people my age, people to bond with.”

He’s not rejecting the idea, it’s more about the uncertainty, and uncertainty is often where youth participation is lost. “Teenage years are tough,” he says. “Sport can be one of the certainties in our lives, but only if it’s not threatening.” Nick is clear about what would make tennis more inviting,

• Social first, competition second
• Casual events rather than full-season commitment
• Friends, music, laughter, and relaxed formats
• Mixed genders and abilities
• An environment where people don’t feel judged

One of his favourite recent tennis moments wasn’t about skill at all. He reconnected with a friend he hadn’t seen in over a year and suggested a game of tennis. Neither had played for ages and it didn’t matter. “It was just a great way to catch up.”

Nick’s message to clubs is straightforward but compelling; “Offer ways for youth to be together. We like being in packs. We want to meet people, both male and female. Make it social. Make it fun. Don’t make it scary.”

His Anzac Day hit wasn’t about tennis excellence; it was about connection and enjoyment. For clubs looking to engage young adults, Nick’s story is a reminder that the future of participation doesn’t always start with competition. Sometimes, it starts with a casual hit and a place where young people feel welcome to just turn up.