Yorkshire Tennis is delighted to announce that Leeds Beckett University’s Disability Programme has been named Disability Programme of the Year at the recent Regional Aegon British Tennis Awards.
Having previously been named Yorkshire Tennis’ Disability Programme of the Year, the nomination progressed to a regional judging panel, who decided to recognise the work of the Programme by awarding it the title of the North Region’s Disability Programme of the Year.
Leading on the award winning Disability Programme at Leeds Beckett University, Level 2 Assessor Louise Assioun impressed the regional judges with her hard work and passion for Visually Impaired (VI) tennis. The Award panel recognised Louise’s dedication to making tennis programmes more inclusive and enjoyable for all. Louise has been a key support in the development of VI tennis in the north of England. Her efforts include delivering Disability Tennis CPD courses to coaches in the region, encouraging cross-sport dialogue and working closely with five blind and partially sighted coaches to help them achieve their Level 1 and 2 qualifications to name but a few.
In 2015, Louise ran one of the most highly attended Visually Impaired Tennis Camps in the UK in Newcastle, which saw 18 players travel to The Northumberland Club from as far away as Aberdeen, Glasgow, Doncaster & London. This itself is testament to the quality of coaching Louise is widely acknowledge recognised to provide amongst the VI Tennis playing community and beyond.
Of the Awards, John Crowther, Chairman of Yorkshire Tennis said:
“It is an honour for Yorkshire to have a regional winner in the 2017 Aegon British Tennis Awards. Louise’s contribution towards local tennis in Yorkshire with the Disability Programme has been outstanding and the award is fully deserved. We wish Louise every luck as her Programme now goes forward to be judged by a national panel for the title of national award winner.
The awards are a joint initiative between The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the Tennis Foundation, partner Aegon and 40 local/national tennis associations, including Yorkshire Tennis. The Awards reward and champion the people who deliver tennis in communities across Great Britain.
As a Regional Award Winner, Louise will now progress to a national judging panel who will determine overall category winners in the Aegon British Tennis Awards. Those successful will be invited to attend the national Aegon British Tennis Awards ceremony in London on 4th July 2017.