The Tennis Foundation is hosting a Deaf Tennis Talent ID Day at National Tennis Centre later this month to find Great Britain’s next generation of Deaflympians.
Led by Burderop's two-time Deaflympic medallist Catherine Fletcher, who is now the National Deaf Tennis Coach, and Stuart Wilkinson, Lead Programme Coach for the Tennis Foundation, the Talent ID Day will take place on Sunday 29th September from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Players will have the chance to demonstrate their abilities and find out how to get further involved with the Tennis Foundation’s Deaf Tennis Performance Programme, which supports players through national training and the opportunity to compete internationally.
Deaf tennis follows exactly the same rules as tennis but to be eligible to compete in deaf events a player must have a hearing loss of 55db or more in the best ear.
The Tennis Foundation is supporting tennis venues to become fully accessible so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy playing the game and an increasing number of tennis centres and clubs around the country are offering deaf tennis sessions.
The Tennis Foundation also organises the annual National Deaf Tennis Championships, with the country’s top players having the opportunity to be selected for a varied calendar of international championships at European and World level, including the Deaflympics, which is held over four years and took place last month in Sofia, Bulgaria with a five-strong GB tennis team.
“I’ve been playing tennis since I was a child and played internationally for the first time when I was just 12 years-old. The sport has opened so many doors for me and given me so many fantastic experiences and memories and I am passionate about helping other deaf people explore the opportunities that could be open to them so that they can realise their full potential,” said seven-time National women’s singles champion Fletcher, who recently competed in her fifth Deaflympics in Sofia, reaching medal matches in all three of her events.
“I’ve also played for my various tennis clubs, represented my county in the LTA County Cup, made so many friends from around the world and, like many of my peers in deaf tennis, have now a successful coaching career in the sport alongside my husband Lewis. We are keen to work with enthusiastic players who may yet not realise all the opportunities that could be open to them. I would urge anyone who would like to become a part of the Tennis Foundation’s Deaf Tennis Performance Programme to come along and meet other players and find out what support we can offer.”
If you are interested in attending the Tennis Foundation’s Deaf Tennis Talent ID Day or if you would like any further information, please email catherine.fletcher@tennisfoundation.org.uk for an application form.