Tennis is in Noel Cheshire’s blood.
At seven years of age he started playing on the courts at his family’s Tegege cane farm with his brother, often coached by his Dad and Uncle who were avid sportsmen.
Almost seventy years later Noel still enjoys picking up the racquet and was this week presented with Tennis Seniors Australia Player Recognition Award at the recent Australian Seniors Teams Event held at Swan Hill, Victoria.
Throughout his tennis career the Bundaberg Seniors Tennis Club president has travelled near and far to participate in tournaments, having represented Queensland 14 times in the Australian Teams Carnival from 1996 to 2023.
He said being awarded recently in Victoria was a complete shock.
“I had no idea that the award was even out there,” he said.
“I was honoured and I was really taken aback and surprised.”
The award not only recognises Noel’s 30 plus years of involvement in seniors tennis, it also highlights how he has overcome many challenges.
Noel has suffered serious injuries during his time and after each, has made a comeback to the courts.
- 2015 – His left hand was crushed in a cattle grate whilst drafting cattle. He stopped playing tennis as he could not hold a ball in his left hand.
- 2018 – He had one stint inserted in his heart and another stint again in 2019.
- 2019 – Playing in the Hervey Bay Tournament, Noel slipped and injured his knee and snapped his right shoulder ligament which required two operations. He was out of tennis for months and came back to serving underarm as his shoulder was still not strong enough.
- 2021 – On his farm while moving cattle a cow charged him and pinned him to the cattle yard rail. Both of Noel’s legs were severely damaged. At this time, he lost so much blood that it was thought by the hospital staff that he may not make it. It was considered that his fitness is what saved him. He had an operation that required 147 stitches and two skin grafts. He was, once again out of tennis for months.
- 2022 – Noel had another trip to the Bundaberg Hospital suffering from an infection and dehydration for a few days
Noel said his injuries had never held him back from tennis or life itself.
“While I am able to, I will do it,” he said.
“You are only here once and you have to make the most of the opportunity you have been given.”
Noel not only celebrated his award this week but also a win at the Australian Teams Event in Swan Hill in the 75/80 team.
His team won six out of their seven matches and only conceded seven sets out of the 46 played during the week.
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