GEMLIFE MAROOCHY QUAYS’ TENNIS TEAM IS HOPING TO ACE THE COMPETITION AT THIS MONTH’S GEMLIFE GAMES.
The team, made up of regular competitors and social players, have served notice that they intend to match other teams stroke-for-stroke at the inaugural GemLife Games, taking place on Friday, 8 September at GemLife Maroochy Quays.
The resort’s tennis coordinator, Russell Plumb, says he expects all teams to bring their very best game on the day.
“We have three in our team who play in competitions outside of the resort,” he said. “As for myself, I started playing tennis when I was 13 or 14 – then I had a 40-year layoff and only started taking up the game again after moving into GemLife Maroochy Quays.
“It started by having a hit around with the grandkids at the resort’s tennis courts and now we play regularly.”
Don’t expect GemLife Games’ tennis tournament to be a ‘hit and giggle’ affair, Russell warns. These might be friendly games, but the competition is bound to be strong.
“We will want to win, of course,” he said. “That’s all in the nature of competition. You want to deliver your best and even do better than your best.
“Even though we all say that we’re not playing for sheep stations, we are intending to win.”
Russell says that the spirit of camaraderie as well as competition is flourishing with homeowners from Maroochy Quays looking forward to meeting people from other GemLife resorts.
“I have to confess, when I first moved here, I wasn’t sure I would like the lifestyle,” he said.
“But after the Country Club was complete, and we started to have a lot more functions there, I got to know more people and discovered we had so much in common. Now we really love living at GemLife.”
In addition to playing tennis, Russell can regularly be found in his kayak where he enjoys paddling on the Maroochy River and fishing.
September’s GemLife Games is the first inter-resort sporting competition featuring competitors from five established resorts – Maroochy Quays, Palmwoods, Bribie Island, Pacific Paradise and Woodend. Competitors will compete in one of seven sports – tennis, pool, ten-pin bowling, lawn bowls, pickleball, and table tennis.
“I love the concept of GemLife Games,” said Russell.
“When I first heard about it, I said ‘yes’ immediately.
“Maroochy Quays is a great venue to hold it in. In fact, we regularly host other resorts – Palmwoods, Bribie Island, Pacific Paradise – for various tournaments, so there is already a strong competitive presence.
Most of all we’re looking forward to meeting other homeowners, particularly from Woodend.
“I’ve put my hand up to be a home host and I can’t wait to meet so many other GemLife homeowners knowing we have so much in common already – living in a great over-50s resort and enjoying competitive sports.”
GemLife Games will be back in 2024. Stay tuned for updates!