Tennis Leicestershire awards for Hinckley duo
HINCKLEY Tennis Club is celebrating after two of its members won awards at the Tennis Leicestershire 20222 awards evening.
Club stalwart John McGowan won the ‘Disability’ award for his work in providing access to tennis for people with disabilities and special needs.
His citation said: “John has made a great difference to player with special needs and has really bought into the open court programme changing many lives for the better.
“He knows how important these sessions are and has ensured that they run and the players have a great time.
“The player’s fitness and mental health has improved no end which is so important especially during the pandemic.
“To finance disability tennis John has applied for grants from the Dan Maskell Trust and local sources, especially VCS. John has linked with the “Bright Ideas for Tennis” charity to fundraise and provide training in disability coaching for local coaches and volunteers to ensure participants were receiving excellent and appropriate coaching.
“Free tennis coaching for disability players which has now been running for 11 years. John started sessions for day care groups, special needs schools and free drop in sessions on a Saturday morning. These sessions run for ten hours every week, averaging 31 players.”
Also recognised was Daisy Hunt who was named as ‘Young Person of the Year.’ The 16-year-old was honoured for her role in helping with the organisation and coaching at Tennis Leicestershire events and at her club Hinckley.
“Daisy has helped at Tennis Leicestershire’s centrally run Mini League team events for several years, she is extremely reliable and committed to the programme.
“In addition to this, Daisy is a great asset to the Coaching programme at her local club - Hinckley Town TC.
She is a huge credit to her Club and County, giving up much of her own time to help and encourage young players to discover and enjoy the game.”
A spokesman for Hinckley Tennis Club added: “John is keen to point out that he has accepted the award on behalf of the club and all the volunteers who make Hinckley’s disability coaching programme so successful. “He was recently invited to join the Board of Tennis Leicestershire with special responsibility for inclusive tennis. He aims to visit clubs throughout Leicestershire and encourage more of them to start up sessions for disabled players. He believes we should all try to help those in society less fortunate than ourselves.”
They added: “Everyone at Hinckley Town Tennis Club is delighted that Daisy won the county award “Young Person of the Year”.
“She is a great asset to Hinckley Town Tennis Clubs Coaching programme. On court Daisy has a quiet, calm approach and she is always encouraging our mini tennis players.
“She is an ever-reliable member of the coaching team and fully committed. The club is proud of her.”