A super bumper packed UCoach Level 1 course began at Sunderland Tennis Centre last week, with a massive 23 participants! Three of which are Visually Impaired.
The VI Tennis scene has grown massively over the past few years, with the creation of the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club and the massive efforts of players, volunteers and members. This is another massive step forward.
Graeme Manwell, Manager of The Northumberland Club who is also one of the participants of the Level 1 and hugely involved in the growth of VI Tennis said: “VI tennis has come on leaps and bounds in the last two years and great credit must go to everyone involved in the sport who have worked tirelessly to help promote the game.”
“The sport now has more players, more clubs and more tournaments than ever before and the popularity of the sport can be perfectly illustrated by the forthcoming tournament held in Newcastle upon Tyne reaching capacity in just 48 hours. The game is lucky to have many dedicated players, coaches and volunteers helping to drive the sport and I can only see the growth continue over the next few years.”
Rosie Pybus, Successful Approach Coaching and Consultancy added “It is fantastic to witness the growth of disability tennis in the North East and in particular, the huge increase in people playing visually impaired tennis! In order to support the increase of program capacity throughout the North East, we are focusing on developing the workforce which will support us to develop opportunities for more disabled people to try tennis!”
“With an action-packed summer season and busy year ahead, we are in a very exciting place with disability tennis in the North East, with all three candidates agreeing to support three separate projects including coaching a club session for VI adults in Stockton, supporting school-based sessions for secondary aged pupils on the lead up to the Tees Valley Sainsbury’s School Games and adult taster sessions in partnership with Henshaws Society for Blind People which will be run from Walker Activity Dome in the summer! Two further candidates work closely with the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club as a volunteer coach and club chairperson and we are also very excited to welcome them onto their coaching pathway. With the VI CPD, Camp and Competition fast approaching, the support and valued input of the five level 1 candidates will be sure to enrich the tennis experience for all!”
Candidates will complete their Level 1 course on March 15th.