Devon Disability Tennis was formed in February 2007 from the former group Tennis for the Disabled, with the sole aim of providing everyone with a disability the opportunity to experience the game of tennis.
We currently coach wheelchair tennis, visually impaired tennis and tennis for those with learning difficulties. For the future we are looking to introduce tennis for the hearing impaired liaising closely with the relevant organisations.
Our main objectives are for players to enjoy participating in the game and to develop/enhance skills for life, be given the opportunity to play at local community clubs and also to enter local, regional and national competitions/events.
The group also encourages those with the necessary skills and ability to achieve recognised qualifications as tennis assistants and/or coaches.
Wheelchair Tennis
Both manual and electric wheelchairs can be used for playing wheelchair tennis. Local sessions include mobility/co-ordination skills on court together with technical and tactical playing methods which cater for players from beginners to top performers. All sessions aim to be fun whilst improving playing standards and cater for a range of age groups.
Anyone who has a mobility related disability e.g. Brittle Bones, Paraplegia or an amputation can be eligible to play wheelchair tennis but you must satisfy certain criteria if you are going to play competitions. There is an international wheelchair tennis circuit for those who wish to pursue this course. More information can be found on the Tennis Foundation web link.
"In the early part of 2007 a wheelchair tennis group was set up for all ages. Originally the group only had about 5 members but now the popularity of the group has increased and our group size is around 11. We have a group of varied ages our youngest member is 10 and our oldest is 25.
We named the group TIC which stands for Tennis In Chair’s. We all meet up and train on a Friday each week for two hours; 10 till 12.
Everyone in the whole group enjoys the sessions a that our coach Mark Blackler puts together. The sessions help up improve our stroke techniques but we have fun while doing so by playing specific games and matches. We all now know a range of different shots that we can use like topspin backhands and forehands, slices and volleys.
Since the group size has increased we have now got two courts which helps everyone, one group can train on a court and the other can practise the skills they’ve learnt. Recently we have had the use of ball machine which has us pushing all over the court trying to get every ball which is very fun to say the least. Most members of the group now have their own tennis specific chairs which makes playing so much easier. Since the group started we all feel that each one of use has improved and bettered the way we play tennis and all of us hope to keep on improving."
Article by Josh Steel
Visually Impaired Tennis
Tennis for those with visual impairments began in Japan and is relatively new in Britain. It uses special balls and has its own set of rules. Plymouth is amongst the first areas in Britain to develop a VI Tennis programme which is still in its infancy. If you require any further information please contact us.
Deaf Tennis (coming soon)
There is currently no specific tennis coaching or clubs for those who are deaf although individual coaches may coach people with hearing impairments. This group aims to set up specific community clubs in Devon, initially within Plymouth and Exeter. It is hoped that with assistance from people already working within this field that this facility will be available later this year. Please check our news items for updates or contact us for further information.
It is hoped that once this programme is running we will have players who wish to attend national competitions and/or tournaments some of which run as close as Gloucester currently.
Learning Disability Tennis
Sessions operate locally throughout the year for a range of ages. They are currently arranged through local schools and adult support groups and we encourage players to join the local community and tennis clubs. For more information please contact us.
Other disabilities Tennis
Tennis, like all sports provides more than just an opportunity to play. It can help to improve mobility, co-ordination, fitness and provides interaction with others both on and off the court. If you have a disability not specifically mentioned above but would like to give tennis a try, please contact us to discuss your circumstances and a suitable venue/session for you to join.
The group has already received support from businesses in Devon but is always in need of equipment and volunteers, which could be for one off events or for longer term projects.
If you would like to help us, please visit our contact section below for details.
Chairman/Licensed LTA Coach
Mark Blackler
Telephone: 01752 316084
Mobile: 07966 441623
Email: tenniscoach@blueyonder.co.uk
Treasurer:
Adrian Cable
Email: adriancable@hotmail.com
Postal address:
Devon Disability Tennis
C/o South Devon Tennis Centre
Ermington Road
Ivybridge
Devon
PL21 9ES
Mark Blackler - Chairman Devon Disability Tennis & Licensed LTA Coach
Mark was born in November 1963 in Plymouth and has held various positions in employment before qualifying as a tennis coach in March 2003.
In 2004 he launched Tennis for the Disabled after attending a LTA Disability Awareness course run by the Tennis Foundation. His inspiration came from the determination and the joy that he saw from the disabled children that were at the course learning the game of tennis.
Having worked with various groups and organisations to set up coaching sessions and tennis festivals for juniors and adults to attend he soon realised that in order to provide the quality and quantity of tennis across the area a larger group of people from the organisations currently supporting Tennis for the Disabled as well as those with experience of working with disabilities was needed and Devon Disability Tennis was formed.
Mark launched Wheelchair Tennis in Plymouth in February 2007 and Visually Impaired Tennis (Sonic Tennis) in March 2009 and has coached at many of the Special needs schools in Plymouth together with various adult groups in the South of Devon.
Mark maintains his LTA license (including a CRB) by attending various courses throughout the 3 year cycle which also includes a First Aid course. This also enables him to keep up to date with the coaches education programme so that he can provide good quality coaching as does the fact that he works regularly with other coaches at the National Wheelchair Tennis camps both here and (time permitting) abroad.
The vision for the future is to have tennis made available to anyone who has a disability whether they wish to have their own clubs or integrate into existing tennis clubs across Devon.
Riyaz Jamal - Licensed LTA Coach
Riyaz completed the Tennis Foundation Disability Awareness course in 2004 and has been working in Exeter to bring tennis to those with a disability.
The first opportunity to use his new found skills was at Exeter Deaf Academy. He joined Devon Disability Tennis in 2007 and has formed a close link with the Special School Sports Co-ordinator for Exeter to bring coaching to a number of schools e.g. The Ellen Tinkham, Southbrook School.
Coaching is also offered at referral units e.g. Grenville Centre and Barley Lane.
The coaching sessions enable individuals to use their skills at the annual Tennis Festival in Exeter, a fun event open to children with disabilities who take part in tennis based games.
© Devon Disability Tennis 2009
Website design & build kindly provided by webko.co.uk & andyprice.me.uk
