Elliot with his baby son Ezra, mum Claire and older brother Fraser, who both visited Perth in April 2025 (L-R)
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the power of unconditional love, resilience, and the magic that happens when passion meets perseverance. Meet Elliot Moyle — Centre Manager at Alexander Park Tennis Club, Club Pro Coach, and a driving force behind Tennis Excellence — and his mother Claire Moyle who never stopped believing in him.
“All I wanted was for him to be happy and to live his dream as we had no idea if he would make adult life.”
These are the words of Claire, mother of Elliot — the boy who grew up battling for his life in West Sussex, UK, and who now thrives under the Perth sun, inspiring dozens of young players every week at Tennis Excellence.
But Elliot’s story is not one of luck. It’s one of strength, resilience, and a mother’s relentless faith in her child’s dream.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Born the youngest of three talented children, Elliot was a much-loved addition to Claire and her husband David’s family. But almost immediately, things didn’t go to plan.
“He weighed 7lb 3oz — healthy, we thought — but he never quite started to thrive,” Claire recalls.
By six weeks old, Elliot had already faced multiple hospital stays with pneumonia and unexplained infections.
At 11 months old, Elliot was finally diagnosed at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) with Common Variable Immune Deficiency — a serious condition where his body couldn’t produce white blood cells.
“It was a relief, strangely,” Claire said. “We finally knew what we were dealing with, and he could start treatment.”
Elliot began weekly three-hour infusions via IV drip at GOSH to replace the missing white blood cells and support his immune system. As Elliot grew older the time between treatments became bigger and he could have them at his local hospital.
Photo: Elliot has always been a happy child — smiling through it all, even while facing serious health challenges. In the photo on the right, he’s propped up to help him breathe.
The Tennis Spark
Despite near-constant hospital visits, dietary restrictions due to food intolerances, and weekly infusions, Elliot’s joy broke through when he picked up a tennis racquet at just three years old.
“He grabbed it from his brother’s coach and just started hitting. He rallied for 25 balls straight. The coach looked at me and said, ‘He’s a natural,’” recalled Claire.
From that moment on, tennis became more than a sport — it was Elliot’s outlet, his freedom, and often, his best medicine. Claire drove him to lessons and county training in London almost every weekend, working around his hospital stays and a demanding full-time job.
But Elliot’s talents didn’t end at the baseline. Music also ran deep in his family life. From the age of five, he played the violin, later adding piano, and became an accomplished chorister at Westminster from 8 to 13 years old — a prestigious role that demanded discipline, focus, and heart.
Through both tennis and music, Elliot found ways to rise above his challenges — showing, even as a child, a rare mix of creativity, resilience, and spirit.
Fighting Through
As Elliot’s tennis skills — and trophy shelf — grew, so did the challenges. Painful arthritis and severe food intolerances made daily life difficult; some days, he couldn’t even grip a racquet. His diet was limited to fresh meat and vegetables, avoiding wheat, dairy, eggs, and soy. But through it all, he never once asked, “Why me?”
For Elliot’s family, the journey has also been incredibly hard — from those early days of not knowing how long he would live, to watching him fight for every breath during countless hospital stays and facing new symptoms that seemed to appear just when they thought they’d turned a corner.
“One thing I always knew was that I wanted quality over quantity,” said Claire.
“I wanted him to enjoy life with his siblings, not be sheltered away out of fear he’d get sick. I wanted him to be happy, to have his own friends, and to live as fully as he could.”
At 11, after a particularly hard setback, Elliot turned to his mother and asked, “Mum, my body isn’t strong enough to become a man, is it?”
At that point Claire recalls that her heart broke — it was the moment he truly grasped how ill he really was. After many cuddles, honest conversations, and guidance from doctors, Elliot came to understand that with a few important changes, he could still chase his dreams. A new nutrition plan that included energy shakes, a reduced school timetable, and a strong support system gave him the boost he needed. Before long, he was back on track — smiling, planning for secondary school, and more determined than ever. Elliot went on to earn a music and tennis scholarship to St Bede’s, with his tennis journey gaining momentum as he began setting his sights on nationals and beyond.
At 16, Elliot joined Sutton Tennis Academy with dreams of turning pro. Claire had shared his medical history with them in advance, hoping they’d guide him with care — and they did. After thorough testing, they gently helped him understand the physical limits he faced, praised his dedication to the sport, and encouraged him to find purpose beyond playing: coaching.
Though Elliot initially struggled with the news and rebelled for a few months, a heartfelt letter from mum Claire — reminding him of his fight, their family’s sacrifices, and how far he’d come — helped him find clarity. He soon embraced the coaching path offered to him — and a whole new world of opportunity opened up.
The Big Leap
Before making the decision to move to Australia, Elliot toured the only three states that could provide his essential weekly white cell infusions. He decided that Perth’s Tennis Excellence had the best coaching program, aligning with his values and career aspirations. However, upon returning home to the UK, Elliot faced more health setbacks, leading him to question his future. With encouragement from his mum, he decided to pursue his dream, even if it meant returning for treatment.
In December 2019, Elliot travelled back to Perth, sponsored by Tennis Excellence, choosing Blue Gum Park Tennis Club as his new home. Just weeks later, COVID hit, leaving him stranded but safe.
“Strangely, I was relieved,” Claire says. “I believe if he’d been in the UK, he might not have survived the pandemic.”
Tennis Excellence Managing Director Dan Sewell describes Elliot as the quintessential club tennis coach, who embodies TE’s values of Fun, Passion, Professionalism and Diversity.
“Elliot’s journey is a powerful reminder of what courage, persistence, and support can achieve. He brings energy to every session, compassion and understanding to every player, and strength drawn from years of personal battles. We’re incredibly proud to have Elliot as a leader in our team and community,” Dan said.
Photo on the right: Elliot competing in the Sawatzky Cup 2025 (photo credit Scotty’s Media)
Five years on, Elliot is thriving in Perth as the Centre Manager at Alexander Park Tennis Club and Club Pro Coach. He now shares life with his partner, Hannah, and their son, Ezra. The warm Perth climate has helped his health improve significantly, reducing his need for medication. He’s back on court, competing in tournaments and doing what he loves every day.
“Elliot has always made me proud,” Claire says. “He’s never complained about anything in his life — he just accepts it and gets on with it. He’s always able to see a way forward when things go wrong, and he shows such kindness and compassion to others.”
Claire reflects on her own journey as a mother:
“I never thought I’d be strong enough to cope with a sick child, but we all have inner strengths we don’t know about until we’re tested,” she said.
“I’ve coped and so has the whole family. Elliot’s siblings, Fraser and Hannah are all incredibly close, and I truly believe that bond was strengthened by everything we went through when he was a baby.
“We’ve always tried to take one day at a time, to live every moment — good or bad — and to always find something positive. One of the greatest positives for him has been discovering that his condition wasn’t hereditary, and that he could have a family of his own. For years, he said he wouldn’t have children because he didn’t want them to experience the childhood he had.
“He makes me proud every day — not just for what he’s achieved, but for who he is. He always puts others before himself, and I think that’s one of his greatest strengths.”
Elliot will always be grateful to his mum and the whole family for their unwavering support.
“Mum has always believed in providing the opportunity for our passions. She showed the way with dedication and belief in us. Her care & support raised me to be who I am. Everything I am today started with her love, sacrifice, and quiet strength,” he said.
Friend Lachlan Casey with Elliot and baby Ezra / Claire with baby Ezra and Elliot’s partner Hannah / plus brother Fraser (L-R)
This Mother’s Day, A Message to All Parents
Claire’s journey with Elliot reminds us that behind every inspiring child is a parent who refused to give up. Whether you’re on the side-lines cheering or in the hospital praying, your strength matters.
To all the mums (and dads) raising dreamers, fighters, and future champions — we see you, and we celebrate you.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Tennis Excellence!
We’d love to hear your story!
Has tennis helped your family through a tough time? Share your experience on our Instagram or Facebook page or email us at info@tennisexcellence.com.au.
