Long-time Sunbury Lawn Tennis Club coach, committee member and publicity officer David Theuma was recently recognised with a lifetime achievement award.
He tells Matt Crossman about his time at the club.
What’s your tie to the area and how long have you lived here?
I’ve been coaching and involved with Sunbury Lawn Tennis Club for 25 years.
How did you first get involved?
The club was advertising for a coach, I applied and got the job.
I’d been coaching about five years at that point.
I was a player in my younger days … I was second in the state in my age group when I was 16.
What are the club’s greatest achievements?
It has been transformed to the 10th biggest in membership in Victoria.
It’s gone from having 16 grass courts that could be used only six months of the year, to 12 all-weather courts with lights and four grass courts.
And a new clubhouse will be built in the next year.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I love watching children progress and develop into playing competition tennis.
How has the town changed since you arrived?
The number of people has doubled and there’s a lot more infrastructure.
What do you do in your spare time?
Play golf and go to the football … I’m a Pies supporter.
