More Than a Game: Family, Fun, and Mental Wellbeing

There’s something special about sharing a hobby with your child. For my wife and me, that joy comes from playing tennis (or padel or golf for that matter!) with our five-year-old daughter, Sophie. What began as a weekend activity to get us all moving has blossomed into something far more meaningful for all of us.

Parenting often feels like a blur of logistics and responsibilities. But when Sophie, Anna and I play sport together, all that fades away and it becomes all about the fun and the challenge. We’re learning new skills, meeting new people and celebrating small wins – like how Sophie has developed her incredible backhand or learnt how to approach the net and volley.

These moments are more than just fun though; they’re opportunities to connect, to communicate, and to support each other. Tennis in particular has become a way for us to bond in an environment that’s playful yet challenging.

At Thrive, we talk often about the connection between physical and mental wellbeing. And I’ve felt that connection first-hand. Play sport clears my mind, lifts my mood, and reduces stress.  League matches in particular are a chance to work towards something as a team, and they remind me how great it feels to be good at something difficult.  I’ve noticed the same in Sophie – after her tennis sessions, she’s more confident and energised.

Exercise helps release pent-up energy (and emotions), especially in little ones. For Sophie, tennis isn’t just play – it’s expression, resilience-building, and confidence in action. She’s learning that effort leads to progress and that mistakes are simply part of the process.

Sophie’s development on court has been nothing short of amazing.  She has grasped the technique quickly and effectively and is becoming more athletic as she gets bigger. But beyond the physical skills, what I’m most proud of is how she’s embraced the social side of the sport.

She is competitive, and hard on herself at times, but she has made new friends, learned to take turns, and has started to understand what teamwork and sportsmanship really mean.  Watching her interact with other children, encouraging them and laughing with them, has been one of the most heartwarming parts of this journey.

As part of our ongoing commitment to mental and physical wellbeing, Thrive is proud to sponsor Teignmouth Tennis Club (https://www.instagram.com/teignmouthtennis?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) We believe that sport is a powerful tool for fostering connection, confidence, and resilience; values that align with our mission both inside and outside the legal world.

By supporting grassroots clubs like Teignmouth, we hope to give more people the opportunity to experience the same joy, bonding, and wellbeing that tennis has brought to me and Sophie. It’s a small investment with a big impact.  The club has doubled in size in the last 18 months, and we’re hoping to continue that growth.

Tennis has become more than just a hobby for our family. It’s a way to stay active, stay connected, and stay mentally well.