Marty McAllister knows that service is more than the start of a tennis game.
Donna Gillen
Every once in a while, a very special person comes into our lives. The tennis club has Marty McAllister as a role model, mentor, and selfless member, among other things.
I had the chance to interview her after hearing about her very active and giving life.
Marty started playing tennis as a young mother. She was living in California at the time, with two children under the age of two. As any new mother knows, devoting all your time to your children can be very exhausting. Marty found an outlet at her city recreation department, which provided free babysitting while taking a class. She decided on tennis. The rest is history.
While living in Santa Cruz County, Marty and a friend joined the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Their original team name was the Virginia Slims. As the years went on, Marty joined several other USTA teams until moving to PebbleCreek. She indicated that there were so many leagues here in PebbleCreek that she stopped USTA. She has been captain of many teams, most notably the Peppers, and currently the Racquettes for the past six years.
How did Marty choose PebbleCreek? She and her husband visited a friend here and immediately bought a lot—a very impulsive action by this couple. When asked what inspired this out-of-the-blue decision, she said, “Tennis!” This community is perfect for tennis. Marty moved here on New Year’s Day 2010.
While being actively involved in team play, she also has time to organize the TNT 3.5+ group that plays on Thursday evenings. Although Marty did not start the group (it was Joan Stedman’s creation), she has been organizing it for many years. She indicates that her only requirement to play is to be able to laugh and have fun. If you think team play and TNT weren’t enough, she has also lent her hand and talents to the Skills and Drills group as a mentor and instructor for 2.0-2.5 players. Her encouraging words have been a blessing to so many new players. Marty is always available to help the club out with any project and to volunteer as needed.
So we know a little about Marty, but there is more. Marty is a true believer in giving back to the community. Marty’s father was wonderful at instilling in Marty and her siblings that “what you have is a gift and to share it as much as possible.” Marty took his words to heart and has volunteered with the Ryan House, a children’s hospice in Phoenix, as well as the New Life Center, a community for abused women and their children. She also lends her talents with free financial guidance to many women who have never had to face the reality of budgeting or balancing their monthly expenses. Marty is grateful that she can help out, and the women she helps are abundantly blessed by her guidance. Marty makes this world a better place through her involvement in helping one person at a time.
Marty loves tennis. She has had many fun times playing tennis here in PebbleCreek, especially with TNT. Playing tennis involves a lot of laughter, usually at each other’s expense, hers included. As for the future, Marty looks forward to the club’s growth and enjoying many more years of tennis.