"I have never played for the trophies or money," Cecil said.

"I just play for the love of the game".

At the age of 85 he is a fixture on the Narrandera tennis courts and still plays for three hours every Tuesday afternoon in a doubles team for fun and to stay fit.

"I am the oldest there but I don't look the oldest!" Cecil said.

Originally from Gundagai, Cecil moved to Leeton in 1987 to work as stationmaster, a position he remained in until 1991. From there he worked at the Riverina Stocks Feed, Leeton Soldiers Club and even picked fruit.

As a young player, Cecil rode his pushbike all over the country to play, once even biking four hours from Cootamundra to Gundagai all so he could play and win against his school teacher.

According to Cecil a big highlight of his career was in 1952 where he was picked to play against the Junior Davis Cup squad from Sydney who were on a tour of regional NSW. Here he played against top tennis players Neil Gibson, Trevor James and Graham Lovett.

In 1960 Cecil went on to represent Gundagai at intertown tennis competitions, playing against Tony Roche in a mixed doubles competition at the beginning of his tennis career.

Tony went on to win one Grand Slam singles title and 15 Grand Slam doubles titles and was ranked World No. 2 in 1969.

"I remember Tony so clearly, he was only little back then," Cecil said.

From there Cecil played in many more competitions against teams across the state and even retained the Bicentenary Tournament Championship in Ardlethan for eight years from 1988.

"I love the competitiveness of the game," he said.

"But I especially love the companionship the game creates, and all the friends I have met playing over the years."

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Whilst the courts used to be packed with players, Cecil says that less and less people are playing the sport as the years go by.

"When I first came to Leeton we had over 200 players in the club. We had teams playing in many intertown competitions like the Simpsons Shield but now the courts are quiet," Cecil said.

"I think there has to be more interest taken by young people. It can be a great sport, I'm proof that you can play it from the age of seven to whenever! There's still older people than me playing around the country."

Unfortunately Cecil hurt his rotator cuff and is unable to hit the ball overarm anymore, but is still able to deliver strong underarm shots.

"I love making them run," Cecil said when speaking about his opponents.

Lea Dowley plays alongside Mr Bell and said he is wonderful to play alongside.

"He can really position the ball with spin so opposing players run to the net to get it and then he hits it over their heads," Lea said.

According to Lea, whilst Cecil is a bugger for making them run across the court, he is a true gentleman both as a player and as a person.

Cecil doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon and plans to keep playing until he has no one left to play with.

"Tennis to me truly is the best sport and I have no plans to slow down," Cecil said.

"The other players are such an inspiration to me, if it weren't for them I wouldn't be playing".

Cecil would like to thank Lea Dowley, Betsy Durnam and his wife Margaret Bell for encouraging him to share his story.

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