The new wheelchair training scheme which is open to Gwynedd, Môn and Conwy residents aims to help wheelchair users develop and hone their tennis skills.
Marcus Politis, Gwynedd Council's Disability Sport Wales Development Officer said:
“The fantastic achievements of Wales’ sporting stars at the 2008 Paralympics has been a huge boost to raise awareness about disability sports, and hope now that local residents from north-west Wales will make the most of this exciting wheelchair tennis training programme based at the Arfon Tennis Centre.”
Training sessions are held from 6pm to 7pm on Monday evenings at the Arfon Tennis Centre at Caernarfon. Specially trained coaches are also on-hand with sessions costing £2.50 per person. Ian Preston, Gwynedd Council’s Tennis Development Coach arranged for all the tennis coaches to have a specialist training session with Geraint Richards, the Welsh Lawn Tennis Association Team GB Paralympic coach.
"This is a great opportunity for wheelchair users to get involved in sport. A number of agencies have come together to ensure that wheelchair users from throughout Gwynedd, Môn and Conwy receive the best possible coaching,” added Marcus Politis.
“The project has been fortunate enough to loan seven superb sports chairs and other top quality sports equipment from Cyclone Mobility, who are one of the UK’s leading lightweight wheelchair manufacturers.
“We now have the best possible equipment and coaching personnel as well as a number of individuals who have shown an interest in joining the sessions, but we want to hear from more people who would like to give wheelchair tennis a go. Together we can help to make this a regional centre of excellence catering for the whole north-west Wales area.”
Why not come along to one of the Monday night sessions, or for more information, contact Marcus Politis, Gwynedd Council's Disability Sport Wales Development Officer on (01758) 704109, 07766 505320 or email: marcuspolitis@gwynedd.gov.uk
Later in the year, the north-east region of Wales will launch a similar project in Wrexham, with the aim of holding regular competitions, so that the scheme can provide competition pathways to anyone wishing to develop further in the sport.
