Nottingham Tennis Centre has launched four new disability tennis sessions following the success of the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships and World Deaf Tennis Championships held at the venue.
Organised by the Tennis Foundation, and with the support of Nottingham City Council, the sessions have been launched thanks to the growth and popularity of disability tennis in the area.
July saw the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships and World Deaf Tennis Championships not only showcased the best of wheelchair and deaf tennis, but also host two free come and try sessions with over 50 participants attending the open days with free coaching and equipment available.
Thanks to the success of these events and the creation of a Tennis Foundation Disability Network in the city, the additional demand has meant that Nottingham Tennis Centre can add four new disability sessions to its existing programme.
Last Friday saw the first of these sessions take place with wheelchair tennis running across three indoor courts from 7-8pm. This session will run every Friday and from the 25th September there will also be learning disability tennis sessions from 5-6pm, and visually impaired tennis sessions from 6-7pm. From the Autumn deaf tennis sessions will also run once a month from 11am – 1pm on a Saturday.
Jonathan, who attended the session said: “It was a fantastic introduction to tennis and it’s opened up a whole new world for me.”
Matt Elkington, Disability Development Manager for the Midlands and North said: “We’re delighted that Nottingham Tennis Centre has added these four new disability tennis sessions to its programme. The British Open and World Deaf Tennis Championships showed the popularity of disability tennis in the area and it’s great that local people in Nottingham now have the chance to try out tennis and all the health and social benefits it brings.”
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “We took the opportunity during the recent British Wheelchair and World Deaf Championships to consult with visitors who took part in the free come and try sessions. This identified the need to run more regular sessions at the tennis centre in both wheelchair and deaf tennis, which colleagues are now planning to deliver.
“This is such an exciting development in helping to ensure a lasting legacy from the tournaments and further supports the council’s commitment to increasing participation in disability sport.”
All sessions are run by disability aware coaches with all equipment provided including sports wheelchairs, balls and rackets. All standards of play are welcome.
For more information on the sessions and to book please contact Nottingham Tennis Centre on
0115 876 1600 or email sportandleisure@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
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