The North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club (NEVITC) which covers the North East from Newcastle to Yarm / Middlesbrough, and has members who attend from Scotland and Doncaster, took 11 players and 4 volunteers down to the National Tennis Centre (NTC). They included: B1 (totally blind players) Nadeem Mughal (Yarm), Dan Owen (Doncaster), Helen Robinson and Nicholas Pages (all from Newcastle). The B2-B5 players included: David Deas (Newcastle), Steve Trewick (Sunderland), Sue Whelan, David and Jan Donnelly (Stockton). The Coaches Wendy Glasper and Rosie Pybus along with fantastic volunteers Ashleigh Baines, Graeme Manwell, Sarah Ferguson and Maurice Whelan looked after us on our trip to Wimbledon and throughout the whole weekend.
The group on our trip to Wimbledon
National Visually Impaired Tennis Championships held on 24 and 25 October.
"After successive women’s singles titles at the championships in 2013 and 2014 Reynolds claimed the B4 women’s singles titles this year in style, winning three of her four round-robin matches 4-0, 4-0 and dropping her only three games in the event to runner-up Rosine Pybus after a 4-1, 4-2 win against the Darlington player."
Rosie collecting her award
Rosie says she is happy to have been the only person to have taken games from Jan…And that it wasn’t just one game! Rosie commented that she needs to work on her mental toughness which will allow her take a set from Reynolds next year!
See full results at:
http://www.lta.org.uk/tennis-foundation/news/2015/october-2015/champions-decided-at-national-visually-impaired-tennis-championships-after-record-entry/
Rosine works for The Tennis Foundation and celebrates her 24th Birthday on 30th October.
Email Rosie at successfulapproach@outlook.com
Wendy Glasper who came runner up in the B2-3 Category.
Wendy and Rosie receive their runner up trophy for the Doubles Category
All players did really well. For some it was their first time playing at the Championships. Sue, Jan and Dave don’t get to club sessions too often and train in Stockton on a badminton court in Splash. Their group (Tees Valley Sound Tennis) has only been running for just over a year and is supported by the NEVITC.
The BI players were faced with competitors from all over the UK and Dan and Nadeem did extremely well to be placed in the semi finals of the doubles category.
Dan Owen serving
Nadeem waiting for Nicolas to serve in the singles
The first UK VI Tennis Awards Ceremony was held at lunch time on the Saturday at the Championships.
The categories included: Male Personality, Female Personality, Coach and very importantly Volunteer of the Year. There were 37 nominations from around the UK.
Male Personality
The North East did very well with two people being nominated. Steve Hogarth, who has overcome many physical difficulties as well as his visual impairment, and shown great commitment to tennis. The winner was David Donnelly for his dedication and hard work over the past year. He has achieved so much in such a short time, entering competitions that he never thought he could. David was instrumental in setting up Tees Valley Sound Tennis – along with Wendy Glasper and Rosie Pybus – and has made a massive contribution in keeping it going. He organises competitions and social events to help keep people engaged. He has also completed his Level 1 Coaching Certificate. Well done David!
David Donnelly receiving his award
Female Personality
Jan Donnelly came second and has only been playing at Tees Valley Sound Tennis for just over a year. She is a big part of the group, encouraging others to play and to get involved. She, along with David, helped to organise competitions and social events for the group. Jan openly admits she was initially not very sporty but the tennis but has bitten now and is determined to improve her game. Well done Jan!
Jan receiving her ‘runner up’ award with Dawn Fradgely as the winner.
Coach of the Year
This went to Leslie Snaith who has been a brilliant dedicated VI coach over the years. He goes that extra mile, giving up his free time voluntarily and sometimes with little notice. He is always enthusiastic and encouraging for all players who work with him, showing true commitment. Leslie is always willing to learn about the effects of visual impairment on players and understands when players become tired because of their different eye conditions. He is truly committed to VI tennis in the North East.
Leslie in his coaching role
Sue Whelan collecting the award on behalf of
Volunteer of the Year
The North East had two nominees: Sarah Ferguson and Graeme Manwell. Sarah has been a fantastic volunteer because of the time and commitment she devotes to every Sunday club session in Newcastle and helps at local and national competitions.
Graeme came third in the category due to his commitment to the NEVITC and his determination in growing the game of tennis in the VI community. He has also completed his Level 1 Coaching Certificate to help run the club sessions. Graeme has also helped run the NEVITC championships as well as helping at the National Competition.
Graeme receiving his award
Fantastic volunteers Sarah Ferguson and Graeme Manwell on the train heading to London
The North East clubs could not run as smoothly without the fantastic work and commitment from our fabulous volunteers.
Volunteer Maurice looking very official
Ashleigh Baines as ‘ball girl’
Tees Valley Sound Tennis celebrating their awards!