Wyatt Mads Thurmeier
Tennis has been on the rise in Fernie (and beyond) thanks to a couple of individuals from the UK, passionate about the sport. Charlotte Willis started Fernie Tennis Coaching around 2010, and was instrumental in exposing our younger cohort to tennis through programming in schools and coaching all ages and levels. “This was the start of the junior tennis movement in Fernie,” says Lucy Harrup, who took over the business in 2019.
“The numbers of players just keeps growing. This year was a record entry number of 40 youth players in our annual junior tournament and the ages range from 5-17. I now have three qualified assistant coaches as the demand is high. We have a junior development squad that trains every Monday through all three of our seasons. They even want to come and train in Kimberley with me over the Winter on a regular basis! We have had well over 100 juniors join us this summer for tennis camp and my goal is to find a way to build an indoor tennis facility here in Fernie so our athletes’ potential can be reached by year-round play,” she adds.
Wyatt Mads Thurmeier is one of these athletes, and here is what he has to say about his love of tennis.
Wyatt Mads Thurmeier, age 12
1. What attracted you to tennis?
My Dad introduced me to tennis when I was around three years old, and I’ve loved it ever since. He’d bring me along to the courts, which are conveniently close to my house, and we’d have lots of fun playing.
2. What do you most enjoy about it?
The people I play with are super nice, and because the feeling of smashing a forehand into the back-left corner is pretty satisfying.
3. How do you train for this sport and what does a typical week look like for you during the tennis season?
Well, just keeping active is a big thing. I do a couple other sports - I’m playing school volleyball now, then basketball and badminton, and ski in the winter. But for tennis I play with my Dad at least once a week and have practice once a week.
4. What accomplishments have you made this year, and do you have any goals for next season?
My biggest was winning the U18 tournament and coming in 2nd place with my Dad in the Adult Competitive Doubles in the Raimey Zoboyovsky Memorial Tournament (my coach Lucy came in 1st with her partner). My Dad and I won 1st place in the Generations Doubles, too! That was one heck of a day, I played 8 sets. My goals for next season are to improve my speed and accuracy, and to beat my coach! I came close in the Adult Doubles, it was great!
For more information on Fernie’s tennis community, visit ferniesportsco.com.