Inclusive Tennis Served up in Leeds
Published on: 15th December 2011
Inclusive Tennis Served up in Leeds Participants of all ages, all abilities and all disabilities recently came together for a fantastic free day of tennis in Leeds.
The inaugural “Everyone for Tennis- Inclusive Tennis Festival” took place at the indoor tennis centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport. The festival was organised by the Leeds Disability Sport Youth Panel, and delivered to coincide with International Day of Disabled People on December 3rd.
The festival attempted to showcase the vast selection of different tennis options available in the city, proving that tennis really is available to all. Amongst the versions of tennis served up were mini tennis (red, orange and green), juniors, Cardio, adults and wheelchair tennis.
The festival also saw the Leeds launch of VI Tennis (tennis for people who are blind or partially sighted), and this was delivered with the excellent support from Wendy Glasper, who runs the North East VI Tennis Club in Sunderland.
VI Tennis will now be rolled out as part of the weekly regular disability tennis programme delivered at the John Charles Centre for Sport (Fridays 5.30 to 7.30pm).
Over 40 people attended the festival and a great day was had by all, with many people having a go at versions of tennis they were previously unaware of. The Inclusive Tennis festivals will provide a key legacy role in 2012 with three more planned in Leeds to coincide with the major tennis grand slams and pre and post the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For further information on disability tennis opportunities in Leeds please contact the Disability Sports Development Officer Ross Bibby:
Tel: 0113 395 0159 or text: 0789 127 0930
E-mail: ross.bibby@leeds.gov.uk
Web: www.leeds.gov.uk/disabilitysport
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leedsdisabilitysport
For information on all other tennis opportunities in the cityplease contact Charlie Tatman:Tel: 0113 395 0186
E-mail: charles.tatman@leeds.gov.uk
Participants get to grips with VI tennisCoach Pete Cox with a youngwheelchair tennis player Smiles all around at the “Everyone for Tennis- Inclusive Tennis Festival”
