The Tennis Foundation’s Disability Tennis Road Show visited Leeds last week to inspire more people to play tennis one year on from the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Run by the Tennis Foundation, in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association, the 2013 Disability Tennis Road Show provided an opportunity for people to learn more about how tennis can be adapted to suit all abilities at John Charles Tennis Centre.
The event kicked off in Glasgow at Scotstoun Leisure Centre on 12th September and finishes at Gosling Tennis Centre in Hertfordshire on 20th September as part of a nationwide tour.
There was disability inclusion training in the morning for those who deliver tennis, including officials, coaches, volunteers and those who work at tennis venues so they can feel more confident when dealing with people who may have additional needs.
This was followed by a schools session to showcase the support British tennis can give both Special Schools and mainstream schools to adapt tennis for disabled pupils.
The Road Show finished up with free come and try sessions for people from the local community to give tennis a go for the first time or who wanted to brush up their skills.
Ross Bibby, Disability Sports Officer for Leeds City Council was impressed by what he saw and said: “The Disability Tennis Road Show in Leeds saw an excellent turnout of tennis coaches from across the region wishing to up-skill their knowledge of disability, which was extremely pleasing to see.
“Hopefully we can continue to keep those coaches engaged in disability specific activity across the Leeds disability tennis network, or more broadly enable those coaches to ensure that their regular mainstream sessions are as open and accessible to disabled people as possible.”
And local coach Isobel Dunn added: “After attending the Disability Inclusion Training on the Road Show my awareness has definitely improved and I have a better insight into disability tennis. Going forward I’m looking forward to having the confidence to deliver more sessions for disabled people.”
Dave Hillier, Disability Development Manager at the Tennis Foundation, said: “The Disability Tennis Road Show has given us a great opportunity to interact with many of our tennis partners, who are fundamental in giving disabled people a positive, first experience of tennis in venues across Great Britain.
"It was also brilliant to see how much fun was had by all just hitting a few balls in an informal setting and finding a version of tennis that works for them, whatever their ability.”