In February 2021 we were very sad to have to say goodbye to our beloved Tennis Cat. The third Covid-19 lockdown was a particularly cold and wet one and whilst he was cared for fantastically by our amazing volunteers who visited him every day for a feed and a cuddle, it was decided that now was time to find Tennis Cat a more permanent home. During his entire life with us he’s been extremely well cared for, not least due to the amazing support of Gareth Cross and the team at Witten Park Vets in Northam. However, with his age unknown, and his future uncertain with the opening of our full facility later this year, we decided that it was in his best interests for us to find him a retirement home. It was during the process of getting him formally adopted by one of our lovely Tennis members, Lynn, that the full details of the mysterious ‘Cat that loved racquet sport’ came to light. As a final farewell to our long serving mascot, we wanted to share his story.
Tennis Cat keeping an eye on the Davis Cup Trophy tour at ARC in 2016
Enjoying one of his favourite sun bathing spots!
When the first balls were hit on the brand-new outdoor tennis courts at ARC in spring 2015 the elated members & coaches of ARC believed that they were the new lords of the land in this beautiful new countryside setting on the edge of Bideford – how wrong they were. From the very first time the courts were used there was a quiet by curious presence on the site. The biggest Tabby cat you’ve ever seen stood guard over the land which he had owned before us, staking his claim to it on a daily basis.
In the early days people were unsure of how to react to the feline figure who greeted them as they arrived for their afternoon game. He did after all resemble more of a puma or cheetah than a gentle house cat. However before long his temperament shone through – always willing to stroked, never scratching, and always begging to be fed! The anonymous cat went through a sundry of names during this period – Roger (Federer), Socks (due to his white feet) and Catlantic (A pun on the ARC brand) to name a few. However, it wasn’t long before his final name stuck. He was never far from our coaching team, two of whom have always been referred to as ‘the Tennis Tom’s’ by the younger members of ARC, and so the sidekick nickname of Tennis Cat became the chosen title.
Tennis Cat in his house
By early 2016 Tennis Cat or ‘TC’ for short was so much a part of the centre that he even had his own wooden house complete with name tag. Between spending hours basking in the sun, being stroked on somebody’s lap, playing tag with groups of children of varying ages and pouncing on the occasional stray tennis ball, Tennis Cat loved nothing more than to sit and watch people play Tennis; or even better - have something to eat whilst watching people play Tennis! It didn’t matter what time of day, what weather, who was playing, Tennis Cat was always present at ARC. He cheered on our league teams, supported our youngest players in coaching sessions and consoled those who had suffered defeats. He truly was the most friendly and loyal cat. He even once befriended a police officer who would come to check the security of ARC during night shifts. It had such an effect that the same officer made a special trip to ARC to say goodbye to TC before he moved to be stationed to a different part of the country! Despite his friendship with an officer of the law, he wasn’t always in the good books. In summer 2017 he snuck into the temporary clubhouse during a lady’s league game and devoured an entire quiche that had been baked freshly for the post match tea – its safe to say he wasn’t in his cat house that evening but was very much in the doghouse instead!
Tennis Cat helping to referee an indoor tournament in 2020
In January 2018, the members of ARC were kind enough to build Tennis Cat the biggest indoor cat playground ever known to felines. We called it our Indoor Tennis & Badminton Hall – TC had other ideas. Despite our best efforts to keep him outside, Tennis Cat would make daily rounds of the Indoor Tennis and Badminton courts to see the latest racquet sport drama unfolding. It was at this time that we realised that TC wasn’t just bias to watching Tennis – those flying feathered shuttlecocks proved to be just as irresistible as fluffy tennis balls! He’d often be found curled up on a comfortable chair stacked neatly behind the court curtains, hoping to go unnoticed so as to spend the night locked inside his upsized cat shed!
The cat not afraid of dogs
Not only was Tennis Cat a fierce Racquet sport fan and valued coaching assistant but he also carried out an important job for us – he kept our unwanted rodent friends at bay as well as a few more friendly species too sadly! Many mornings the staff were greeted by the results of the previous evening’s hunting – including mice, rats, birds, rabbits, and squirrels! He was also sure that ARC would not become the favoured spot of canines. Never before had anyone anywhere seen a fully grown Alsatian quiver and run from a cat. It didn’t matter what species, big or small, Tennis Cat would not tolerate dogs on his patch and would hold his ground intently until they scarpered! Whilst he was a very capable hunter, he was lucky enough to not have to rely on this for his food. A dedicated group of volunteers shared a rota to feed Tennis Cat every single day of the year – including bringing him some Turkey on Christmas Day each year! On top of this core group of volunteer’s countless other members and users would make special trips up to the centre to bring TC their tasty leftovers, donate some food to his supply, or simply to give him a cuddle. We’re really pleased that one of these volunteers, Lynn, has agreed to permanently adopt Tennis Cat at her home in Bideford where he is now living with the apt new name of Thomas!
Tennis Cat hiding in somebody's Tennis bag!
Whilst we all got used to seeing Tennis Cat every day, a huge mystery surrounded his life before ARC. Often people would ask “where did he come from?”, “how old is he?”, “does he have another home?”. Many theories were banded around about our fluffy friend’s origins. Some said he was a farm cat who had abandoned his farmer in search of a better life in the racquet & fitness industry. Others believed he snuck back to a little old lady’s house every evening for his supper and milk before returning to the courts at the crack of dawn the next morning. All of the various theories were valid – but our answer was always simple – “he was here before us and this is his racquet centre”. For years Tennis Cat’s true identity as a mystery, he lived happily under the radar leading us to believe he had always been a stray. It wasn’t until February 2021 when we took him to the Vets to arrange his adoption that the cat was finally let out of the bag - if you’ll excuse the pun.
Puck aka Tennis Cat as a kitten in 2010
This feline fugitive who had shown an uncanny love of racquet sport was actually named ‘Puck’. Puck, named after the mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals in Shakespeare’s a Midsummer Night’s Dream, was 11 years old and as it turns out had been playing a prank on us mortals at ARC for the past 6 years, leading us to believe he was a wild stray. In fact, he had run away from his home, in nearby Moreton Park Road, 9 years ago in 2012. His owner Chloe had let him out one day and never seen him again! Little did she know that he’d been living approximately 1 mile away on the fringes of Caddsdown Industrial Estate the whole time. What he was doing for the 3 years prior to ARC being built will forever be a mystery, but one thing is certain – he is a very tough and clever Cat. We do know that before we arrived, he was often seen at the nearby Bideford Recycling Centre – maybe he decided he was more interest in sport than recycling? Or perhaps he was unaware of our delay in gaining planning permission when he set out on his journey for a new life in racquet sport and made his move too early?
Either way its fair to say that Tennis Cat was universally adored by the members and users of ARC and will be fiercely missed. Whilst we’re extremely sad that he won’t be around anymore we’re really pleased that he’s found a loving home with Lynn and are looking forward to receiving updates and hearing stories from the next chapter of his life. We’re sure he’ll have a purrrfect retirement.
Written by Tom Vinall 24/02/2021
Turkey for Christmas Dinner every year since 2015!
Always time for a nap!
A regular sight on the decking next to the outside Tennis courts
TC with his racquet & bag!
Curled up for the night
We all know who was really in charge at ARC…