Christine Keay
Biography
Date of Birth
1990
Birthplace
Regina, Saskatchewan
Residence
New Westminster, British Columbia
Home Club
Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Coach
Ross Richardson
Equipment
Gearbox
Q&A
Start in Racquetball: My dad was the one who introduced me into Racquetball. He first taught my brother who is 3 years older how to play. Of course I had to be like my brother, so I begged my dad to teach me. Once my hand was finally big enough to hold the racquet, he taught me the rules and played with me at the age of 6 years old. I have been playing ever since.
Reason for playing: I enjoy racquetball because I am able to ‘get away’ from everything else. It is something that I can enjoy as not that many people play the sport. It is time away from everything where I can practice something I am good at. I also enjoy playing because I am able to play and meet people in different places across the country as well as the world. I have to thank racquetball for the opportunity, as I know it is because of the sport I have seen some awesome places and met great people.
Training habits: Currently I am in a little bit of a different training experience than most. My husband and I welcomed our beautiful daughter, Florence in the Summer of 2022. I had an unplanned cesarean which I had a hard time dealing with as tasks or activities were unmanageable for months after my daughter was born. Because of this, I have had to alter my training. Now I am back into it working on and off the court; between nap times of course 😉
What is your best racquetball moment or memory? At the elite level it would be representing Canada at my first international event – the 2012 Pan American Championships in Chile. I was so nervous that first game, but the first two serves I hit couldn’t have been better. I got an ace the first one and a skip the next. My serve was on point all game and it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Many moons ago, but at a junior level it would be winning at the 2005 Junior World Championships in Juarez. It showed the the round robin doesn’t make or break the tournament. I lost 3/4 of my games but once it came to the single elimination, I played solid, and won the tournament! The big take away I tell junior athletes is to not give up!
Non-racquetball talents: I am a deal finder. No matter what the objective is, I must find the best deal. I take pride knowing that I got the best deal no matter how small the deal really is.
When you are not playing racquetball you are probably? Hanging out with Flo! Her little personality is coming out and it has been pretty awesome to see.
What is something that people might not know about you or find surprising? I am a Certified Prosthetist. I make artificial limbs for individuals who have lost them for various reasons; health related, accidents, or diseases. With only 2 schools in Canada and the intake being 15 per year, there are very few of us in the field. I always say: seeing somebody stand/walk for the first time is so rewarding and will never get old.
What advise do you have for athletes who want to play at your level? Stay committed and work for what you want. Sometimes it is hard to balance work, school, friends, family, and sport but it is worth it. It is nice knowing that I am good at something that others may not be. Racquetball has opened a variety of doors for me which I am very grateful for.
Who has been important in your development as a racquetball player and how were they important? My Dad, Ross Richardson 🙂 He got me started in the sport and he is the one who keeps me going. We push each other because he wants me to be at the top of my game and I push him to stay in shape! We both are competitive and stubborn, so we definitely do not want to loose to each other.. it forces us to try even harder! Sometimes the father/daughter relationship gets blurred with the coach/athlete relationship but at the end of the day, he is looking out for me.
