A City of Bristol College sporting initiative for disabled learners has been hailed a success by the Tennis Foundation.
In partnership with Kings Tennis Club, Bishopston, the College has piloted an LTA and Tennis Foundation-funded scheme to introduce more disabled learners to the game.
A group of 22 young people with learning difficulties and disabilities – all part of a three-year Horizons programme at the College’s Ashley Down centre – embarked on a six-week tennis course in April at the neighbouring Gloucestershire County Cricket Club sports hall.
Under the guidance of Tom Smith, a coach at Kings Tennis Club, the students learned various facets of the game throughout the weeks, and they got the chance to showcase their new-found skills in an Inclusive Tennis Festival at the Kings club on Tuesday.
Learners from Bath College also took part in the festival, and Richard Ayling, South West Disability Tennis Development Manager for the Tennis Foundation, has rated the project as a real hit. He said: “We offer enhanced support to various colleges and this has been one of several pilots where we have started to work more with Foundation learners."
"We also had a festival at Weymouth College and a similar event at Wiltshire College, but it’s the first time we have seen a structured programme at City of Bristol College and we are delighted with how well the provision for disability tennis has been driven."
“The feedback has been very positive and the festival celebrated the students’ developments over the last few weeks and showcased tennis as an adaptable, fun and inclusive sport.”
The Tennis Foundation is now looking to provide elements of teacher training in the programme, as well as The Tennis Foundation is now looking to provide elements of teacher training in the programme, as well as opportunities for learners to take on more responsibility within the sessions.
Mr Ayling added: “We’re definitely looking to continue with the programme year on year and we’ll sit down and review it and see how we can grow it for 2015/2016.”
Gemma Parry, Sports Maker at the College, initiated and organised the pilot tennis project and she added: “The learners have really enjoyed their tennis and we are now hoping to include two more groups of Foundation students in the City of Bristol College programme from September.
“It’s been great to see how the learners have developed, it’s improving their co-ordination and Foundation skills, and ultimately we hope they will go on to join clubs like Kings, where they can meet and enjoy recreational tennis with other disabled learners.”
Jayne Applebee, the Horizons Course Leader at Ashley Down, added: “As part of their curriculum the learners need sports input to develop many skills needed in transition to adulthood, as well as increasing their participation in sports activities. Over the past year we have seen students’ fitness and levels of participation increase, they have developed an enjoyment of being active and look forward to the sessions.”
“Hand-eye co-ordination, communication and teamwork are just some of the skills that have also been developing through taking part in these activities, and staff working alongside the programme have also developed confidence in using some of the activities outside the sessions.”