Best Visually Impaired Fundraiser Yet!

Closest challenge yet brings fun, enjoyment and fulfilment to Sunderland Tennis Centre!

Wendy Glasper and Rosie Pybus helped run a fundraiser for the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club, Friday June 21 2013. 

Wendy who is the Club Secretary worked her magic and there were ten people from across the region who played throughout the afternoon at Sunderland Tennis Centre.  The participants were mixed between people who suffered from severe sighting impairment to sighted individuals. The participants took part in a mini tournament; those players who were sighted wore Vine Sim Specs (donated by the Tennis Foundation) that creates the sight of a person with partial vision. Sound balls were also used as well which allow the players to hear the travel of the ball.  There were two round robin groups that saw some amazingly close matches and sizzling points!  Group ‘Wimbledon’ even saw a three way tie and once organiser’s Jo Cunliffe and Christine Klee had worked out the percentages there was only 3% difference between the top three finishers.  This meant that Christine and Peter played out the Grand Final on Sunderland Tennis Centre’s very own Centre Court.  With spectators watching and listening on the side lines the excitement was nearly too much for everyone, including Kane and Wizard (the guide dogs)!  Following a tense battle Peter closed the match out by winning both tiebreaks 7 points to 6! 

The event helped to raise money which will be used to help promote future events and fund equipment.  This also compliments the support that the Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Foundation provide to the Club, which has seen regular weekly sessions take place at Sunderland Tennis Centre.

For further information about the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club please contact Wendy Glasper at wglasper2000@yahoo.co.uk or 07837847270.

Further information about the Tennis Foundation’s Disability Tennis Strategy and the opportunities to play tennis can be found here http://www.lta.org.uk/Tennis-Foundation/Tennis-for-Disabled-People/.