Meet Rob Ellis, Director of Tennis at Cambridge Tennis Academy
Meet Rob Ellis,
Director of Tennis at Cambridge Tennis Academy
With our Festival of Inclusive Tennis just around the corner, we caught up with our partner and Director of Tennis at Cambridge Tennis Academy, Rob Ellis, to ask him all about his role and how he will support the event. Rob Ellis has a team of specialist coaches.
Power2Inspire: What inspired you to become involved with Power2Inspire?
Rob Ellis: I set up Cambridge Tennis Academy seven years ago with the aim of being a truly inclusive group, allowing anyone who wants to pick up a tennis racket, to do so. Tennis can often be seen as an elitist sport, and we wanted to debunk the myth and ensure the sport is accessible to everyone.
After years of running a successful ‘Park Tennis’ event for everyone in Cambridge on Saturday mornings, and a series of successful inclusive specialist coaching programmes we partnered with Power2Inspire to run the Festival of Inclusive Tennis.
What makes the Festival of Inclusive Tennis special?
The Festival of Inclusive Tennis has grown from strength to strength over the years, with a fantastic amount of players of all abilities in attendance. The event welcomes everyone – players of all backgrounds, abilities, disabilities and ages and that’s why we love it so much. It fills me with a huge sense of achievement to see players who wouldn’t typically play in traditional tennis tournaments, being included and having such fun. Giving everyone the opportunity to play tennis is invaluable.
We provide all the equipment needed on the day, including rackets and balls to ensure that everyone can just turn up and join in. Best of all, the event is entirely FREE.
What does the specialist coaching involve?
Our coaches provide bespoke specialist coaching to all players who would like it. Often we will group up players with similar abilities so that sessions can be played together inclusively. All players have access to a coach and can play with their coach for as long as they wish. Players can play with coaches for as long as they wish – often we have players who find themselves another partner to rally with!
These sessions are fantastic for anyone who would like to try tennis for the first time, regardless their age or any disabilities.
The coaching sessions are relaxed and the aim is for everyone to enjoy themselves and play tennis in a way that suits them.
How are sessions adapted for people with disabilities?
The sessions are adapted as necessary. They are on smaller courts, where we play games of ‘short tennis’ or touchtennis. We use smaller rackets and sponge balls which naturally make the game easier if needed.
In previous years we have had wheelchair users attend with their carers, who have helped them to hold the racket and be involved with the sport. Everyone is welcome, and it is incredible to see players having such fun with a sport they would usually believe isn’t accessible for them.
We hope to see another fantastic turn out at this year’s event at Cambridge University Sports Centre on Saturday 2nd July. Click the logo to visit the Academy and stay up-to-date with all of Rob’s weekly sessions and exciting events that the Cambridge Tennis Academy run.
Rob also runs Parktennis events on Saturdays at 10-11am at Jesus Green in Cambridge – which also offers fantastic inclusive tennis sessions for everyone to be involved with. Click the logo to visit Park Tennis for more information.
Sat 2nd July 2022
Cambridge University
Sports Centre
Philippa Fawcett Drive
Cambridge
CB3 0AS
Sign up now for FREE and tell your friends:
If you can’t make the tennis, do join us at one of our other Festivals of Inclusive Sport:
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Festival of Inclusive Tennis 2022
Power2Inspire to host Festival of Inclusive Tennis, in partnership with Cambridge Tennis Academy at Cambridge University Sports Centre
We will be hosting our Festival of Inclusive Tennis on Saturday 2nd July at Cambridge University Sports Centre, in partnership with Cambridge Tennis Academy. The event promises fun for everyone, welcoming players of all abilities, experienced and not.
The event includes bespoke coaching sessions provided by specialist tennis coaches from Cambridge Tennis Academy, to ensure all players have access to support. There will be sponge balls and smaller tennis rackets available, alongside specialist coaching and adapted games to ensure the festival is truly inclusive and accessible for everyone involved.
The event is COMPLETELY FREE and will take place indoors at Cambridge University Sports Centre, ensuring the fun can go ahead regardless of the weather.
Sat 2nd July 2022
Cambridge University
Sports Centre
Philippa Fawcett Drive
Cambridge
CB3 0AS
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador of Power2Inspire, said:
We are delighted to host our Festival of Inclusive Tennis at University Sports Centre in partnership with Cambridge Tennis Academy. We are encouraging everyone to come along and get involved. Wheelchair users, families, able bodied-players, visually impaired players, children and those who are retired are all welcome to enjoy an afternoon of fun, friendly and free inclusive sport.
Our Festivals of Inclusive sports provide a welcoming, fun environment for all ages, abilities, disabilities and backgrounds to play a sport they enjoy in an inclusive way, or to try something new.
I’d like to thank Cambridge Tennis Academy for their continued support with this event, their specialist coaches are a huge asset to the event. It is an honour to be able to ensure that everyone in the community is able to take part in friendly festival together.
Rob Ellis, Tennis Coach at Tennis Academy, said:
We are really looking forward to supporting Power2Inspire’s Festival of Inclusive Tennis, the event has grown from strength to strength over the years and always promises a fun and friendly afternoon of tennis.
Seeing players of all abilities and ages having fun gives me a real sense of achievement.
Sign up now for FREE and tell your friends:
If you can’t make the tennis, do join us at one of our other Festivals of Inclusive Sport:
No event found!
Leicester Tigers PowerHouseGames 2022
Leicester Tigers PowerHouseGames 2022
Power2Inspire and Leicester Tigers Foundation team up to host PowerHouseGames '22
The sun was shining as we recently teamed up with Leicester Tigers Foundation to host our first ever PowerHouseGames with a professional sports club.
Leicester Tigers Senior Academy and newly launched Women’s team joined students from Krishna Avanti Primary School, Leicester Grammar School and Two Rivers School to participate in a whole range of inclusive sports. Players and students took part in sitting volleyball, touch rugby, walking football, goalball, rugby obstacles and zonal tennis, meaning no-one was left on the bench. Our PowerHouseGames encourage people from different backgrounds to work together to learn new skills, try new sports and have fun.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick was also in attendance. Despite his busy schedule due to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final, Steve came along to welcome students and get involved in some of the activities. He said:
“It was a privilege to be a part of the first PowerHouseGames at Mattioli Woods Welford Road,” said Borthwick. John Willis and his team are doing incredible, important work which we, as a club, were proud to support.
“I want to thank John, the Power2Inspire team and the hard-working Leicester Tigers Foundation staff for putting together such a great event and look forward to seeing and participating in future events alongside each other.”
John Willis, Chief Ambassador and founder, Power2Inspire, said:
“To hold our first PowerHouseGames at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, was a dream come true.
“Seeing skilled rugby players teaching pupils from a range of backgrounds inclusive and adapted sports, was to see my vision in practice. For there to be so much smiling, joy, laughter, whooping and fun, validated our vision that no one should be left on the bench.
“Thanks to Steve Borthwick of the Tigers and to the Leicester Tigers Foundation for bringing this dream to life. I look forward to many more Tigers PowerHouseGames.”
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
Hawks and Ospreys PowerHouseGames 2022
Hawks & Ospreys PowerHouseGames 2022
The High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Jennifer Crompton, switched her court dress for trainers to join us and over 40 school children on the pitch and try a series of new inclusive sports designed to be accessible and inclusive for everyone, no matter their ability. They were joined by volunteers from Cambridge University Hawks and Ospreys clubs, who made up twelve inclusive teams that all took part in our latest PowerHouseGames.
We hosted our PowerHouseGames on Monday 13th June at Cambridge University Sports Ground. Young people from Duxford Community Primary School, Melbourn Village College, St Faith’s School and Castle School competed in an array of sports, including boccia, kwik cricket, sitting volleyball, touch rugby, walking football and goal ball.
Jennifer Crompton, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, said:
“It was a real privilege to attend the PowerHouseGames with the Power2Inspire team.
“Sport is a very important part of society and culture, it provides us with opportunities to push ourselves to achieve the very best that we can, and helps to support our physical and mental health. It teaches us about team work and leadership and gives us ways of relating to others. Inclusive sports break down the barriers that prevent people with disabilities in partaking in sport and unlocking all that it has to offer. I am delighted to be a part of the PowerHouseGames that do exactly that.”
Alex Telford, member of Cambridge University’s Ospreys Club, said:
“After taking part in the PowerHouseGames with Power2Inspire and local schools, I feel really fulfilled. Most of us at the Ospreys and Hawks will have been involved with some form of sport from a young age, and therefore I believe it is really important to bring young people together to enjoy inclusive sport. It was fantastic to see children of all abilities have such fun and engage with the activities.”
Ed Hyde, member of Cambridge University’s Hawks Club, said:
“We really believe the power of sport. These events are a great opportunity for children to meet new people, and get involved with accessible sports that they may not have had a chance to experience before. John’s vision of no one being left on the bench is one that we wholeheartedly stand for. It was great to be a part of the PowerHouseGames.”
John Willis, Chief Ambassador and founder, Power2Inspire, said:
“PowerHouseGames are incredible sports days using adapted games and sports. All the activities are especially designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, old and young, with disabilities and none, sporty and not – and in so doing are wonderfully inclusive.
“I would like to thank our fantastic volunteers from Cambridge Hawks and Ospreys for helping us to run such an impactful event, and our High Sheriff Jennifer for not only attending, but taking part in all of the sports.”
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
Meet Hannah from Hoohaah
Meet Hannah from hoohaah
Meet Hannah, the founder of hoohaah. We’ve been speaking to Hannah all about the hoohaah race series, and why she chose to raise funds for Power2Inspire.
Power2Inspire: What is hoohaah?
Hannah Hodgson: hoohaah organises a series of 10k races that welcomes runners of all abilities. I set up hoohaah as a low-key, but special, race series that take place in beautiful locations such as Thetford Forest and the Shuttleworth Estate. hoohaah brings the local community together for mornings of peaceful and inclusive running. We have seen thousands of runners attend the hoohaah events over the years, many of whom describe our races as the most friendly and welcoming trail runs on the circuit.
hoohaah means a bit of a ‘kerfuffle’ – it’s an old-fashioned word, and my hope is that people say it and smile.
Power2Inspire: Why did you choose to raise money for Power2Inspire?
Hannah Hodgson: The hoohaah races have raised over £100,000 for local charities, and I am delighted that this year, we have teamed up with Power2Inspire as our official charity partner. Power2Inspire are a fantastic, local charity who aim to see a society where everyone can enjoy inclusive sport together and who deliver sporting events for everyone to enjoy regardless of age, gender, faith, ethnicity or disability.
It is an honour to be able to work with, and raise funds for, a charity that has inclusion, teamwork and sport at the heart of it. We are looking forward to continuing with this partnership.
Power2Inspire: How can the community get involved with hoohaah?
Hannah Hodgson: You can find out more about hoohaah and register for all upcoming hoohaah races here:
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you would like to support us in our mission to “embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes” then we would love to hear from you.
We’re always looking for opportunities to collaborate with new venues and corporate sponsors. Get in touch to find out more.
Click the button here to find out more.