Hi Team Stony Tennis,
I wanted to share a very special conversation with you today.
I recently spoke with long-standing Team Stony parent, Trevor Marshall, who kindly offered some reflections on his daughter Emily’s tennis journey with us. Many of you will know Emily… she first joined our Parent & Toddler session at 3 years old, and now at 17 she’s preparing for the next chapter, hopefully playing college tennis in America. Her story embodies everything Team Stony stands for, and Trevor’s words were too powerful not to share.
Here are Trevor’s words:
Starts with FUN!
When I look back at Emily’s tennis journey, it really does all start with one simple thing: fun. Those early Parent & Toddler sessions on Saturday mornings were absolutely brilliant. They were friendly, relaxed, and got both parents and toddlers involved. It wasn’t just about tennis — it was about being part of a community of like-minded families. Emily loved being around other children her age, moving, playing, laughing. That sense of joy from the very beginning set the tone for everything that followed.
Feeling at Home
As Emily improved and eventually reached county level, we naturally considered other training environments. There were times when we thought about exploring options further afield. But every time we weighed things up, we came back to the same feeling:
Stony was home.
Whenever Emily walked through the doors, she was greeted by people she knew, trusted, and genuinely liked. She always had someone to train with who could challenge her and help her continue progressing. That sense of belonging — of walking into a place where you feel instantly comfortable — cannot be underestimated. It played a huge part in why we stayed.
Quality Coaching and Consistency
Another key factor was the consistency and quality of the coaching. Yes, coaches come and go over the years — that’s natural. But the message, the philosophy, and the values at Stony have remained steady throughout. The environment has always been friendly, positive, and clear in its purpose.
This consistency meant Emily never had mixed messages or confusion about her development. Instead, she had guidance she could rely on, delivered by people who cared.
Growing as a Player and a Person
One of the things I appreciate most is that Emily didn’t just grow as a tennis player — she grew as a person. When she was young, she looked up to the older players. Some took her under their wing; others didn’t. But those experiences shaped her.
Now, she’s the one encouraging younger players, supporting them, and setting a positive example as a Youth Ambassador. That’s something the club can be very proud of, and it means a lot to us as a family.
Stony truly has been our second home.
The Journey Ahead
Emily’s now aiming for the exciting next step of a US college scholarship. Whatever the future holds, I know Stony will always be in her heart — a place that helped shape who she is today and gave her so many wonderful memories.
And as for me, I’ll even miss sitting in the clubhouse doing my work — it’s been my unofficial office for years!
I can’t thank the club, the coaches, and the community enough for the role they’ve played in Emily’s journey. It’s been a special part of our lives, and we wouldn’t change a thing.
Stories like Emily’s remind us why we do what we do.
It’s not just about forehands or rankings — it’s about community, consistency, fun, support, and helping every player become “the best they can be”, whatever their level or aspiration.
Thank you to everyone — players, parents, coaches, committee — who contributes to this environment. And a huge thank you to Trevor for sharing such heartfelt reflections.
If you ever wonder whether what we do makes a difference… I think this says it all.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis
I wanted to share a very special conversation with you today.
I recently spoke with long-standing Team Stony parent, Trevor Marshall, who kindly offered some reflections on his daughter Emily’s tennis journey with us. Many of you will know Emily… she first joined our Parent & Toddler session at 3 years old, and now at 17 she’s preparing for the next chapter, hopefully playing college tennis in America. Her story embodies everything Team Stony stands for, and Trevor’s words were too powerful not to share.
Here are Trevor’s words:
Starts with FUN!
When I look back at Emily’s tennis journey, it really does all start with one simple thing: fun. Those early Parent & Toddler sessions on Saturday mornings were absolutely brilliant. They were friendly, relaxed, and got both parents and toddlers involved. It wasn’t just about tennis — it was about being part of a community of like-minded families. Emily loved being around other children her age, moving, playing, laughing. That sense of joy from the very beginning set the tone for everything that followed.
Feeling at Home
As Emily improved and eventually reached county level, we naturally considered other training environments. There were times when we thought about exploring options further afield. But every time we weighed things up, we came back to the same feeling:
Stony was home.
Whenever Emily walked through the doors, she was greeted by people she knew, trusted, and genuinely liked. She always had someone to train with who could challenge her and help her continue progressing. That sense of belonging — of walking into a place where you feel instantly comfortable — cannot be underestimated. It played a huge part in why we stayed.
Quality Coaching and Consistency
Another key factor was the consistency and quality of the coaching. Yes, coaches come and go over the years — that’s natural. But the message, the philosophy, and the values at Stony have remained steady throughout. The environment has always been friendly, positive, and clear in its purpose.
This consistency meant Emily never had mixed messages or confusion about her development. Instead, she had guidance she could rely on, delivered by people who cared.
Growing as a Player and a Person
One of the things I appreciate most is that Emily didn’t just grow as a tennis player — she grew as a person. When she was young, she looked up to the older players. Some took her under their wing; others didn’t. But those experiences shaped her.
Now, she’s the one encouraging younger players, supporting them, and setting a positive example as a Youth Ambassador. That’s something the club can be very proud of, and it means a lot to us as a family.
Stony truly has been our second home.
The Journey Ahead
Emily’s now aiming for the exciting next step of a US college scholarship. Whatever the future holds, I know Stony will always be in her heart — a place that helped shape who she is today and gave her so many wonderful memories.
And as for me, I’ll even miss sitting in the clubhouse doing my work — it’s been my unofficial office for years!
I can’t thank the club, the coaches, and the community enough for the role they’ve played in Emily’s journey. It’s been a special part of our lives, and we wouldn’t change a thing.
Stories like Emily’s remind us why we do what we do.
It’s not just about forehands or rankings — it’s about community, consistency, fun, support, and helping every player become “the best they can be”, whatever their level or aspiration.
Thank you to everyone — players, parents, coaches, committee — who contributes to this environment. And a huge thank you to Trevor for sharing such heartfelt reflections.
If you ever wonder whether what we do makes a difference… I think this says it all.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis
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