The North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club were awarded the prestigious "Club of The Year" award at this year's North East Disability Sports Awards.
The awards, which celebrate the achievements of the region's disabled athletes were held at Sunderland's stadium of light on Wednesday also saw NEVITC members Rosine Pybus and Nadeem Mughal nominated for the 'Participant of the Year' award, and the Northumberland Club, one of the group's regular venues also nominated for the CLub of The Year award.
The club, founded in 2010 by coach Wendy Glasper, play a specially adapted format of tennis which allows players with low or no vision to participate in the game.
The last few years have seen participation in the region growing significantly and the club is now regularly fielding players at national tournaments and preparing to host their own second Open Championships event in May 2015. The event is expected to close to 50 players travel to the North East to compete.
NEVITC Chairman Graeme Manwell said “I am absolutely thrilled with the award and the credit must go to a committed number of volunteers and players who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to enable the Club to be considered for such a prestigious title. The award is a just reward for the work which Wendy Glasper and Steve Trewick have put in to ensure blind and visually impaired individuals throughout the North East of England have the opportunity to play tennis. I am proud to be part of such an inspirational Club and hope that I can help to see it grow from strength to strength in the years to come. As my role as Manager of The Northumberland Club, I am delighted to work so closely with the NEVITC and I know our Club members will also join in the congratulations for this recent honour.”
Wendy Glasper, NEVITC Founder, described winning the award as 'an honour', adding "I am proud to receive the club of the year award for the NEVITC, especially up against so many developing clubs.
It's good to be part of a growing club, that is giving the blind and partially sighted the opportunity to play tennis in the North East and to watch individuals grow in confidence and self esteem in what they are achieving. That gives you a real 'buzz' feeling inside.
We couldn't do the things we have with out all the support and help we've have had, especially from our volunteers like Ashleigh Baines, Melissa Marshall, Sarah Ferguson and Olly Pages who provide regular support at our sessions and the many others who help out at our events."
Steve Trewick, NEVITC Treasurer added : "The support we've had from people and organisations in the region and beyond is amazing, Tyne and Wear Sport and the Tony Blair Sports Foundation have helped us to train coaches to grow the sport, Visual Impairment North East have helped us out with equipment costs, the Dan Maskell Trust has helped us with professional coaching at both club and individual player level, and if it wasn't for the support of The Northumberland Club and the Adderstone foundation, we might not even still be around. The professional support we've had from the Tennis Foundation along with Durham & Cleveland and Northumberland LTA both nationally has been absolutely brilliant"
