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Festival of Inclusive Tennis 2023

What a joyful morning! In the season of good tidings this was a wonderful celebration of happiness, joy and having fun as over 35 people of all ages, abilities, body shapes and sizes, came together to enjoy a morning of inclusive tennis.

Using all 8 (badminton) courts of the Cambridge University Sports Centre, beautifully set up by the helpful crew, we played varieties of tennis that were truly inclusive.

We had Mark in a wheelchair receiving his first ever specialist coaching from Gemma Stevenson, who competes on the ITF wheelchair tennis tour and can also be seen reporting on the tennis from the Grand Slams and Paralympics. There was Nicole from Koalaa Prosthetics, the maker of soft prosthetics that are comfortable and light to wear – she and I both wore the “Joannie”, a special prosthetic to aid the serve. There were three young volunteers from King’s Ely Juniors, ably supported by Andrew Marshall.

But above all there was Rob Ellis from the Cambridge Tennis Academy and his three young coaches.  I love the way they get stuck in and help, encourage and adapt the play.

Rob was thrilled:

“I was very pleased; so many people came, and so many played for the whole two hours!  Don’t forget we are very inclusive at CTA and welcome everyone, regardless of age or ability at our weekly sessions – do come along!”

Great friend and supporter of Power2Inspire, Steve Shaw, “Mr Disability Tennis” in Cambridge was delighted by the turnout and reminded everyone that there are lots of opportunities to follow up on this event. Please contact him on stevecshaw@btinternet.com if you would like more information.

A big thank you to CADMuS for allowing us to use their usual weekly session and for getting so involved, and to the LTA who helped fund the event.

I was particularly pleased to see two young Asian families joining in, following our mantra that our events are for everyone, not just for those with a disability. Seeing one of their youngest children – was he 4? – run past with a racket almost bigger than him and with the biggest of smiles, was one of my highlights from the morning!

Gemma did put me through my paces and was thrilled when Mark made me run, especially after I had thwacked one past her. No prisoners here! I had a ball.

But I will leave it to Nicole as her story captures the essence of the morning. Born without a right hand and very self-conscious of her appearance as a youngster, she found tennis particularly anxiety-inducing as she wasn’t able to do it “properly”. Those feelings of anxiety were triggered, entering the hall. But she loved it:

“The event is so welcoming. I felt I was in a safe space. It doesn’t matter here, how you look, and you realise quickly how there is no ‘proper’ way. All that is required is to get stuck in and have fun.”

Gemma Stevensen interviews John Willis, Chief Ambassador of Power2Inspire, with Nicole from Koalaa Prosthetics about the 2023 Festival of Inclusive Tennis.

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. Would you like to host a SuperSensory1K at your local Fun Run or Park Run? Or would you like to volunteer at our next Festival of Inclusive Sport? Or could you give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.

If you’re inspired for Inclusive Sport then do join us at any of our next big events:

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