‘So many good things’

Tennis is a major player in Laura Bradley’s life. Besides teaching and coaching, Bradley volunteers her expertise. And she’s met some of her closest friends on the courts.

Make that cherished friends.

Bradley has taught tennis lessons for the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department since 1998, and tennis physical education classes at North Idaho College since 1999. She has coached tennis at Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene for the past five years, and Post Falls Christian Academy since spring.

She’s well-qualified.

Bradley graduated with honors from the University of Idaho, at Coeur d’Alene, in 2001, with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, and a minor in health. Bradley maintained a 3.95 grade-point average. Among honors she received, was the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Major-of-the-Year Award.

Regardless of her abilities, Bradley found full-time teaching positions difficult to come by. So she pursued other positions.

“I went to the North Idaho College Job Fair and asked them if they had a tennis program. They said no. I told them I’d teach tennis lessons if they were interested, and they were.”

Along with her other positions, Bradley volunteers with fellow tennis player, Tim Scott. The two coach a team for the Junior USA Northwest Competitive Team Tennis.

Their team is called the Post Falls Prowlers. There are four other teams the Prowlers compete against. Players’ ages range from 14 to 18.

Scott, a husband and father, has put his energies into starting the junior league partly because his son will be playing high school tennis next spring.

Both Scott and Bradley are champs, although their techniques differ: Bradley darts around the court on foot; Scott maneuvers from a wheelchair. Bradley can’t say enough good things about Scott.

“Tim Scott is an amazing person and wonderful role model for the kids. He can play tennis with one arm and leg. People don’t see his disability, because he has such a positive attitude and doesn’t let his disability hold him back.”

And it didn’t stop him from entering the Outback Tennis Tournament in Coeur d’Alene. Bradley teamed with him for the tournament, and they won first place.

Scott now heads up the tournament, the only one in the Coeur d’Alene area. Bradley remembers meeting Scott.

“I met Tim at Ironwood Athletic Club in 2000. He helped me teach adapted P.E. softball lessons to my other U of I classmates. He brought wheelchairs, batting T’s, balls, the whole works. Everyone had fun and learned how to make lesson modifications for students with disabilities.”

Further, Scott purchased tennis benches for all the courts at Lake City High School. Bradley appreciates them.

“It’s great having them – they’re really nice!”

Bradley enjoys volunteering with Scott, and helping others.

“I started playing tennis when I was a junior in high school at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick. I had kind tennis coaches who gave me free lessons, hitting the ball with me at 5 in the morning before school, then again after school. I never thought I’d get a tennis scholarship with so few years of playing experience, but I did because I had coaches who took the time to help me.”

Bradley received a tennis scholarship from Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco. She played there for two years, and decided she’d like to teach.

“I want to help other kids like I was helped. Tennis has brought me so many good things. My husband was one of my students, and he and my 8-year-old daughter are very supportive. It’s frustrating not being able to get into the schools and teach Health and P.E. as a full-time position, but I’m glad I can influence others to be active and have a healthy lifestyle through my coaching.”

Bradley ran track before becoming a tennis player, and went to state, placing her first year in a couple of sprinting relay events. But she became bored when running after school.

“My best friend wanted a doubles partner during tennis season, had a court in her back yard, and I would hit with her. I liked the challenge of a new sport, and the outfits were a lot cuter than track outfits!”

Bradley hopes one day to sell tennis outfits herself.

“I’d like to have my own tennis facility and pro shop with all my favorite tennis fashions someday. I think there’s a need for one in Post Falls, since the only indoor courts are at Ironwood Athletic Club.”

Bradley says tennis is a lifetime sport that strengthens all areas: speed, core strength, stamina, flexibility, and mental toughness. Health benefits aside, tennis has changed Bradley’s life in more ways than one.

“I’ve met and made a lot of friends through tennis. I worked at Bellingham Athletic Club in 1995. Tim Bradley worked out regularly at the gym, and when he found out I taught tennis lessons, he suddenly became really interested in tennis.”

Six months later the two were married.

Both her husband and daughter learned to play, and Bradley insists anyone can do the same.

“It’s never too late to learn. There are competitive senior leagues and leagues for anyone at any age or ability level.’