Every Thursday morning at 10am, a familiar group of faces arrives at Aberdeen Tennis Centre at Westburn.

For an hour, they play tennis together and enjoy a laugh and each other’s company. Then the rackets are put away and it’s time for coffee and a chat.

Bob Pringle, 82, Gordon McCulloch, 83, Dick Taylor, 81, Nigel Dower, 84, all agree that their Thursday morning session is about much more than simply playing tennis. It’s a chance to be active, stay connected and, most importantly, have a bit of fun. The group also consists of ‘the young one’ – group member Keith Hunt, who is 67, proving tennis has no age limit or requirements – just a willingness to pick up a racket and have fun.  

Bob has been playing tennis since the 1970s and joined Kings College Tennis Club in 1975. The Thursday group began when he and a college friend decided to play singles together. Before long, they were invited to join a doubles group at ATC who were needing more players in their rota.

Now, the octogenarian pals (plus Keith!) rotate around during their hour on the court at the tennis centre, managed by Sport Aberdeen.

“When you’re our age your life becomes a bit serious, but when you play tennis, you become a child again,” Bob says. “You can have a lot of fun, and we do have lots of laughs.”

Gordon, 83, has been playing at Aberdeen Tennis Centre with the group for around 10 years. Tennis is just one part of his active lifestyle alongside pickleball, padel, swimming, gym sessions and circuits.

“I’m a firm believer in ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’,” says Gordon.

While they may not move around the court quite as nimbly as they once did, the group has developed its own approach to the game.

“I think we’ve all got similar fitness,” says Gordon. “We’re maybe not as fit as some of the young ones who fly about the court, but we compensate for that in other ways. We’ve got more guile and more precise and careful shots.”

For Bob, the benefits of keeping active are something he notices in everyday life. After recently visiting a physiotherapist for an injury, he was surprised when she commented on how supple he was.

“It must be the tennis!” he says.

But for both men, staying active is also about maintaining a routine and staying socially connected.

After retiring at 51, Gordon found himself with a long retirement ahead. Following the sudden death of his wife three years ago, he found that getting back into sport and meeting people became an important part of moving forward.

“I had to get back into things,” he says. “That’s when pickleball, padel, tennis and everything else really was a lifesaver for me. The social side is a big part of it too; I’ve made lots of friends.”

The Thursday group provides a regular focus for the week with something to get up for and a chance to meet people going through similar experiences.

“It’s amazing how many other people you meet who are going through the same things and some days it’s good to chat about how you’re feeling,” continues Gordon.

The cup of coffee afterwards is one of the best parts of the weekly tradition, with conversations ranging from sharing the jokes on the Penguin biscuit packets, to more serious discussions about world issues. This, and the friendliness of the Sport Aberdeen reception staff, make for a most enjoyable morning, the group all agreed.

The indoor courts at Aberdeen Tennis Centre also mean they can play all year round, whatever the weather. And there’s always the possibility of an unexpected highlight.

“Sometimes you come in and think, ‘I’m not in the mood for this today,’ and you have an absolutely great hour,” Gordon says. And, as he puts it, he doesn’t see his continued activity as anything particularly extraordinary.

“I’ve never been this age before. People say to me, ‘that’s wonderful for your age’, but for me it just comes naturally.”

For Bob, the Thursday session has become one of the best parts of his week.

“It’s definitely a highlight of my week,” he says. “I enjoy playing the tennis, but I enjoy afterwards too when we’re all sitting down having a chat.”

Their message to anyone considering becoming more active in later life is simple – start now, it’s never too late but take it at your own pace and keep going!

“Come sooner rather than later,” Bob advises. “And go canny and learn how to move around on the court. Once you get into that, just keep going and don’t stop!”.

For this inimitable group of active friends, being fit and healthy isn’t about age or chasing personal bests. It’s about keeping moving, feeling good, seeing friends and having something to look forward to each week.

And, of course, the coffee and chocolate biscuits afterwards definitely help.