Suncoast Racquet Club (SRC) is looking to a bright future, with the goal of expansion. They look forward to resuming their popular events such as Live-ball, pizza Fridays, chili cook-offs, and hosting fun tournaments for new and experienced players. Community is important to the SRC and its members–inside and outside the Club. An important SRC initiative has been the opportunity to host the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society fundraiser that combined great tennis with teams throughout BC and the US and a dinner and auction that raised significant funds.
To have a promising future, you need a strong beginning and community. SRC started with a small group of members almost 30 years ago, playing in the bubble at what was once the old Wakefield Beach Inn. These determined members convinced the District of Sechelt to lease them land. They then financed and turned sod for their present two-court facility in 2006.
Today’s club is non-profit, run by its members with each contributing to its success and growth in their own way from working with the Board, to gardening, clean-up, or maintenance. Many see this as a labour of love and a way to socialize and build new and lasting friendships with a diverse group of interesting people from all walks of life.
A variety of memberships invite and support all age groups, with some of the best rates in the province. Hundreds of school youth have taken lessons with resident coach and member Jacques Joyal, in the school tennis programs.
Great coaching at the club has been an incubator when it comes to young talent. Lucian Enns didn’t pick up a racquet until he was nine, but now at age eleven he is a budding star in the provincial and Canadian rankings and playing at a level beyond his age grouping. Young Luc credits his father Cameron who coaches him five days a week and coach Jacques Joyal. “Jacques has been so important to my development as a player. I wouldn’t have made it to this level without him.”
Coach Joyal also took another young star under his wing when she was nine. Madison Shoemaker went on to have her pick of US college scholarships, choosing Seton Hall in New Jersey. Madison was on the college team and competed in the NCAA. She is now the rankings coordinator and implements marketing strategies and promotions for the Women’s Tennis Association in Florida.
When Canada’s most decorated tennis player, Olympic Gold Medalist Daniel Nestor sought a tennis venue to shoot his instructional videos, he chose our club, recognizing the high level of tennis instruction and the reputation of SRC. It was the right place. While here, Daniel met Lucian and took him aside to share his own journey as a young protégé, encouraging Lucian to never give up on his dream.
Belonging to the SRC connects you to a fun group of people and community. One member described it this way: “SRC provides an avenue for meeting new people on the Coast. Tennis can lead to games of golf and other social events with like-minded people. It expands your social network and community involvement.”
Come check out the club! Tennis at Suncoast Racquet Club is seriously fun, and they are serving it right to you!
