Team Bath Tennis is launching weekly pan-disability sessions in September following the success of an Inclusive Tennis Festival last weekend.
Fifteen young people aged between five and 20 took part in the event at the Team Bath Sports Training Village (STV), where coaches adapted games and drills using specialist equipment.
The Festival was run in conjunction with the Bath-based Blue Sky Tennis Foundation and Access Sport, a national charity who provided Disability Inclusion Training for all the coaches.
Jonny Fenner, Access Sport Community Coordinator, said, “Tennis is such an adaptable game and this event demonstrated how everyone can feel included using creative games, drills, and equipment, so everyone can enjoy tennis and learn new skills.”
A parent of one of the participants added, “It was lovely for my son to go and play a sport he enjoys in an environment geared up for him and with peers he felt comfortable with.”
Pan-disability sessions have now been added to Team Bath’s extensive community tennis programme and will take place at the STV from 4-5pm on Mondays during term-time, starting on 5th September.
Walking Tennis sessions will also take place from 11am-12pm on Fridays, offering an easy way for older people to keep their body and mind active while also enjoying the social side of being part of a tennis community.
Helen Abbott, co-creator of Walking Tennis, attended the Inclusive Tennis Festival and said, “The event was excellent and demonstrated what can be done when partners pull together.”
Tom Osborne, Head of Club Coaching at Team Bath, added, “Team Bath Tennis are proud to introduce two new courses into our coaching programme. We think these are important for the community to ensure tennis is available to everyone.”
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