Lesley Hunt

Lesley Hunt is without a doubt the best tennis player to come out of WA (In my humble opinion)!   I had a wonderful catch up phone call with Lesley yesterday and it brought back some great memories for me.  There’s 2 years and 4 days between us in age.  I’ve just discovered our birthdays are 4 days apart in May!  When I was a youngster growing up in Perth I used to think I was a bit of a hot shot tennis player.  That was until Lesley came on the scene.  As a junior she took the Perth tennis world by storm and when she was only 14 won both the Junior and Open State Tennis titles.  Her record is so long and impressive I have added a link to her Wikedpedia entry so you can read for yourself her incredibly impressive record.
For the past few weeks I have been visiting the Next Gen facility based in the grounds of the Royal Kings Park Tennis Club, the major tennis facility in Perth where for many year the major events were held, including the Davis Cup until the last one that was held at Cottesloe Tennis Club.
I was delighted to see the plaque in my post today when I first entered the club a few weeks ago.  There are three plaques and the one on the main court is honoring Lesley.  After retiring from competitive tennis she went on to coach hundreds of young aspiring West Aussie children for over 40 years.  What an amazing contribution she has made to the sport in Australia.  I almost forgive her for the hidings she gave me all those years ago when she knocked me off my perch :). I’m hoping we can catch up in person very soon and I’m sure we’ll have to put away a few hours there will be so many stories to tell.  I have added an image and this is how I remember her as a fellow competitor and rival, fearless and focussed!!  
Not only did I get to catch up with Lesley, but also her sister Beverly who kindly put us in touch.  Now Beverly is another story and didn’t we have a great time reminiscing about the good old days.

Just to finish off today’s post.  I have to say every day I feel blessed that I was able to grow up in this amazing city of Perth.  We had many opportunities presented to us and we could dare to dream.  For me, many of my dreams involved sport in some way and there could be no better place in the world than here to reach for the stars.
PS - Thanks for taking this image Mauzee :)