Game, set, jobs at Playford
Crystal Edwards is making a career out of her favourite sport, tennis, and she didn’t need to leave the City of Playford to do so.
The local resident is one of 10 people, including five locals, employed at the Playford Tennis Centre and the full-time junior co-ordinator has introduced the sport to hundreds of local school children since starting in the role.
A former player with the Grove Tennis Club (now named the Playford Tennis Club) 21-year-old Crystal enjoys her work.
“I really love working with children and seeing them improve,” Crystal said.
Having the opportunity that these kids do now would have been great when I was growing up.
Being employed at the PTC has not only given Crystal a career, but it’s also allowed her to buy a house at Blakeview, continuing to make a home in our community while completing her childcare studies.
“I grew up in the area and it’s a good area and now I can work close to home doing something I love,” she said.
The tennis centre is part of the Playford Sports Precinct, a Council strategy aimed at improving health and fitness outcomes for local residents through the provision of quality facilities.
Since opening in July 2017 Playford Tennis Centre membership has grown from 450 in its first season, to an anticipated 600 for the 2018/19 season.
Nineteen teams now make the facility their home and weeknight social competitions are full to the brim.
Through the work of staff such as Crystal, 280 hours of primary school lessons will be completed for 2000 youngsters between October and Christmas, with Elizabeth East Primary School introducing all of its students to the sport.
Meanwhile, young players and their parents can check out some top tennis talent when the City of Playford Tennis International hits off from Monday 31 December to Sunday 6 January, with players competing for $100,000 in sponsors’ prizemoney.
To learn more about the tournament and tennis programs offered at the Playford Tennis Centre, visit HERE or ring 8252 1900.