Paralympian and tennis champion attends disability taster session

Last month, the Riverside Tennis Club in Bedford hosted a disability taster session, which was attended by the Paralympian Jordanne Whiley. The six-time Grand Slam doubles champion joined more than 100 people on the courts, taking part in a variety of activities and classes, such as wheelchair tennis.

Whiley played a number of opponents, including the club’s disability tennis manager, Rich Ball, who was beaten 4-2 by the Paralympian star. Both players agreed to finish the match early in order to spare the manager any embarrassment on the court. People attending the event included stairlift and wheelchair users, as well those who had visual or hearing impairments.

Providing opportunities for disabled people to get involved in sport

The team at the tennis club are all incredibly passionate about encouraging all abilities to get involved in what they call an ‘inclusive sport’.

Mr Ball told the Bedfordshire news: “The day provided a taster of what we provide at Riverside as part of our #nobarriers project which aims to deliver tennis to a wider range of people, irrespective of ability or disability.”

During Whiley’s visit, she also signed a wooden oar for the Charity Oars Project, who work alongside Thrombosis UK to raise awareness of the condition. So far the charity has managed to secure a number of signatures from sporting stars, which will soon be auctioned off in order to raise money for the cause.

Commenting on her visit, Whiley said: “It clearly is a very well run club with a great membership and I was very impressed with the opportunities that they are giving to everyone, but in particular to disabled people, to get into tennis.”

Image Credit: PughPugh (flickr.com)

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