Inclusiveness a net benefit of program
WHETHER you’re spinning on two wheels or striding on two legs, there’s a game for you at the Run and Roll FNQ wheelchair tennis come and try day this weekend.
The event will be held at Freshwater Tennis Club this Sunday as part of Disability Tennis’ programs aimed at encouraging people of all abilities to hit the hardcourts and stay active.
Freshwater Tennis Club will be hosting a five-day coaching and introduction program during Disability Action Week from Sunday until next Saturday.
The program will bring big names of the tennis world to the Far North, including Heath Davidson, a gold medallist at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Keegan Oh-Chee, who is in the Australian Men’s Wheelchair Tennis Team, and wheelchair tennis coach Andrew Ash.
FNQ Cerebral Palsy Support Group vice president Jen Wenzel said finding sporting activities for parents of children with disabilities could be hard but she believed tennis was a fun and friendly sport for all families to get involved in.
“The Freshwater Tennis Club and all their volunteers ... have created a fantastic pilot program for Run and Roll Tennis,” Wenzel said.
“Run and Roll FNQ is a testament to inclusive sport.
“The program incorporated kids with a variety of disabilities, but also included their families, siblings and friends.
“Those who have participated have been overwhelmed by the spirit of the program and the enthusiasm of everyone involved.
“We are looking forward to seeing a permanent, inclusive Run and Roll program in the upcoming school terms.”
The program will include coaching sessions for coaches and teachers, coaching for players and school visits.
The Run and Roll program 1.30-2pm: On-court exhibition matches; Run and Roll doubles tennis; VIPs and juniors playing alongside the Paralympians 2-5pm: “Have a Go” community involvement Wheelchairs will be available for participants throughout the afternoon For more information, visit the Freshwater Tennis website is designed so people of all abilities can play together using the modified rules of wheelchair tennis.
The benefit of this program will be to bring people together and create social connections through tennis.
Tennis Queensland Far North participation leader Jen Rees is hopeful inclusive wheelchair tennis for all abilities can help to bring families and people closer together.
“The aim is to get training sessions where the entire family is invited so it is inclusive for everyone,” Rees said.
“Hopefully we can get parents, siblings and the child in the wheelchair all learning to play tennis, which would give the family an activity to do together.
“The community are invited on Sunday to come and have a go in a wheelchair at Freshwater Tennis Club. The entire week we will have able bodies players playing alongside wheelchair players.”
Wheelchair tennis is a new initiative in Far North Queensland.
The Run and Roll FNQ events listed above are part of the Disability Action Week Champion Club behind Run and Roll FNQ, Freshwater Tennis Club, in collaboration with Tennis Queensland and Tennis Australia.
Events will run throughout the Far North this week, including at Mareeba Tennis Club and Cairns International Tennis Centre.