International singing star and President of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust (DMTT), Elaine Paige OBE handed over the first of four specialist tennis wheelchairs to the new Wheelchair Tennis Club at Kingsley Indoor Tennis Centre on Monday March 25th, together with double Paralympic champion and Ambassador for DMTT, Peter Norfolk OBE.
The DMTT has funded three of the four tennis wheelchairs as well as providing a grant towards disability coach education for three of the club’s coaches. Elaine Paige has personally funded the fourth wheelchair.
The Wheelchair Tennis Club was set up in January of this year and is supported by Peter Norfolk, the Hampshire LTA and the Tennis Foundation. Its aim is to become a local and national hub for players of all standards.
Elaine Paige said “The more wheelchairs we have for new players to try out the sport, the more the game will grow. Tennis is a completely inclusive sport and disabled people can take part in any tennis activity. Wheelchair tennis integrates very easily with the non-disabled game, as it can be played on any tennis court with no modifications required to rackets or balls. The only difference is that wheelchair tennis players are allowed two bounces of the ball.”
Peter Norfolk added “We hope to see many more disabled people coming to take up tennis at the Kingsley Wheelchair Tennis Club as a result of this initiative. The opportunity is there for those who just want to have fun and stay fit, as well as to help find future Paralympic champions.”
Manager of the tennis club, Colin Jakeway said “We are extremely grateful to the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, Elaine Paige and Peter Norfolk for their tremendous generosity. Wheelchair tennis is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world and here at Kingsley we plan to build on the success that Britain has already achieved in this sport.”
For more information contact the Wheelchair Tennis Club at Kingsley Indoor Tennis Centre on 01420 489492 or email admin@kingsleytennis.co.uk