Tennis Foundation launches Disability Tennis Road Show
30th July 2013The Tennis Foundation has today launched the inaugural Disability Tennis Road Show, which will be visiting seven venues across Great Britain in September 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 will provide an opportunity for people to learn more about how tennis can be adapted to suit all abilities.
The Road Show is aimed at a wide audience from volunteers and schools to local members of the community who might be trying tennis for the first time.
The event kicks off in Glasgow on 12th September and finishes at Gosling Tennis Centre in Hertfordshire on 20th September.
There will be 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 will be 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. This support includes training and free equipment.
The Road Show will finish with free come and try sessions for anyone who wants to give tennis a go for the first time or who wants to brush up their skills.
Licensed coaches will be on hand to offer expert tips with all equipment provided and attendees will leave with information on where they can continue playing near them.
Dave Hillier, Disability Development Manager at the Tennis Foundation, said, "The Disability Tennis Road Show will give 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 will also be a chance for those who just want to have some fun hitting a few balls to do so in an informal setting and find a version of tennis that will work for them, whatever their ability."
The venues for the 2013 Road Show are:
Glasgow – 12th September
Leeds – 13th September
Wrexham – 16th September
Warwick – 17th September
Swindon – 18th September
Sutton – 19th September
Welwyn Garden City – 20th September