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Lily-Ann and Judy Murray, OBE[/caption]
Lily-Ann Southwell, a Year 7 student at King Edward VI Five Ways School recently enjoyed the opportunity to attend a question and answer session with British number one tennis player Dan Evans as well as British tennis coach Judy Murray, OBE.
The event, organised by the Edgbaston Priory Club, was set up to continue to engage with their members during the pandemic and since lockdown restrictions have meant that the club has had to temporarily close. Dan Evans is a close contact of the club, as he began training there from the age of 10, making his way through the system and still trains there today. Dan is currently in quarantine in Australia, so this was a great opportunity to use the time wisely and impart some knowledge as well as answer any burning questions.
Lily-Ann asked Dan the question "what would you write to your younger self at the age of 11 or 12, knowing what you know now?". His response was to concentrate on the day-to-day and to not get caught up on the future. He believes that if you concentrate on the here and now, the programme of training and the work ethic, the future will take care of itself. Dan also spoke about what the word 'success' meant to him: "If you can go home each day knowing you have ticked every box and given it your all, then that is success. One of my best moments was actually when we lost. It was an amazing atmosphere and sometimes there are bigger things than winning. I went back to the hotel that day and knew I had put in all I could."
Judy Murray, mother to the famous tennis players Andy and Jamie and a coach in her own right, also took part in a Q&A session. Lily comments: "I asked Judy what she did as a parent to support her children whilst they were on court. She responded saying that it is really difficult for involved onlookers as well as the players. She said how she has always made sure her boys have goals, thinking about how well they played and drawing on both where the successful balls and less successful balls went. It is important to channel the emotion and adrenaline purposefully".
Lily-Ann has been playing tennis since she was 5 years old, travelling all over the UK playing in national competitions including Glasgow, Bath and Sunderland. "Competing tennis for Warwickshire county, the Midlands region and nationally has been more than just playing sport. I have been part of a family and I have learnt so much more than how to play tennis. Working on resilience, tenacity and mental strength. The skills we learn are transferable to all aspects of life".
Lily-Ann and Judy Murray, OBE[/caption]
Lily-Ann Southwell, a Year 7 student at King Edward VI Five Ways School recently enjoyed the opportunity to attend a question and answer session with British number one tennis player Dan Evans as well as British tennis coach Judy Murray, OBE.
The event, organised by the Edgbaston Priory Club, was set up to continue to engage with their members during the pandemic and since lockdown restrictions have meant that the club has had to temporarily close. Dan Evans is a close contact of the club, as he began training there from the age of 10, making his way through the system and still trains there today. Dan is currently in quarantine in Australia, so this was a great opportunity to use the time wisely and impart some knowledge as well as answer any burning questions.
Lily-Ann asked Dan the question "what would you write to your younger self at the age of 11 or 12, knowing what you know now?". His response was to concentrate on the day-to-day and to not get caught up on the future. He believes that if you concentrate on the here and now, the programme of training and the work ethic, the future will take care of itself. Dan also spoke about what the word 'success' meant to him: "If you can go home each day knowing you have ticked every box and given it your all, then that is success. One of my best moments was actually when we lost. It was an amazing atmosphere and sometimes there are bigger things than winning. I went back to the hotel that day and knew I had put in all I could."
Judy Murray, mother to the famous tennis players Andy and Jamie and a coach in her own right, also took part in a Q&A session. Lily comments: "I asked Judy what she did as a parent to support her children whilst they were on court. She responded saying that it is really difficult for involved onlookers as well as the players. She said how she has always made sure her boys have goals, thinking about how well they played and drawing on both where the successful balls and less successful balls went. It is important to channel the emotion and adrenaline purposefully".
Lily-Ann has been playing tennis since she was 5 years old, travelling all over the UK playing in national competitions including Glasgow, Bath and Sunderland. "Competing tennis for Warwickshire county, the Midlands region and nationally has been more than just playing sport. I have been part of a family and I have learnt so much more than how to play tennis. Working on resilience, tenacity and mental strength. The skills we learn are transferable to all aspects of life". 
