The North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club (NEVITC) put international players through their paces!
Professional players took a break from the Ageon Pro Series to experience tennis whilst Visually Impaired!
A number of international tennis players including Jocelyn Rae and Anna Smith who are currently ranked 247 and 147 in the world in doubles and Myles Orton, ranked 1148 in singles along with Dan Smethurst currently ranked 341, tried their hand at tennis whilst visually impaired. They wore Sim Specs, which recreate varying levels of sight. On the same day of the VI demo Jocelyn had just received the news from Judy Murray that she had been selected to compete at the Fed Cup, representing Great Britain, which was being held Feb 5th-9th in Budapest!
Graham Fowler, Tennis Development Officer for Sunderland, set up the event in partnership with Richard Joyner, Tournament Director of the Ageon Pro Series, to showcase the fantastic work which has gone into the Sunderland Disability Tennis Network. The demonstration was led by players from the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club and welcomed international players to try out visually impaired tennis.
Visually impaired tennis is played within the service boxes of a standard tennis court with 21” rackets and a ‘soundball’. Players who are totally blind are allowed three bounces while partially sighted players are allowed two bounces. Players who are fully sighted can play but are only allowed one bounce.
Professional players were challenged to a game of doubles by members of the NEVITC and encouraged to try the sport with Sim Specs which simulate some of the different types and stages of visual impairment.
Following their experience of visually impaired tennis, Jocelyn Rae and Anna Smith were not tricked into letting the ball bounce twice throughout the remainder of the Ageon Pro Series and went on to win the competition!
Players from the NEVITC were humbled when Anna and Jocelyn offered their support at the METRO National Visually Impaired tournament held at the National Tennis Centre in London!
Rosie Pybus, Trainee Sports Development Officer said
"It is amazing that with a few minor adaptations, tennis can be an inclusive game for all and it was a privilege to see professional players and visually impaired players on the same court as one another enjoying a game of tennis!"
Check out some videos from the event:
Liz S, Steve T, Nick C and Dave D playing VI Tennis
Wendy and Aegon Pro Series Player
VI Players with Aegon Pro Series Players