National Inclusion Week – fun, exercise and new skills for all

Walking tennis, wheely walking tennis and building up basic tennis skills were all at the heart of the Cambs Tennis National Inclusion Week activities in September. Led by coaches Emma and Fiona, the sessions were enjoyed by players with a range of different needs.

The week started at Highfield Ely, with a group of older non-verbal students with complex needs. Coaches Emma and Fiona from Diversity Tennis worked with them to break tennis skills down to very basic levels, and then built them up gradually. “Building rallies doesn’t have to use a racket!” they explained. “We were really happy to hear feedback that the students really enjoyed the session.”

The next day was “Walking Tennis” at The Hive in Ely, where the tea and cake afterwards was also much appreciated. After that it was a SEND after-school session which is building momentum and players improving week by week.

Back at Highfield on Thursday, the session was for a mixed group of children, some of whom had played before, but others who were completely new to it. “Again, everyone seemed to have fun,” said Emma and Fiona “and as always it’s good to end on a game where everyone can join in - whatever their level.”

The week’s activities ended at The Hive on the Friday with wheely walking tennis – which, as the name says, is for both Sports chairs and standing players. Emma and Fiona have recently seen over 80 new participants join this session: “They have never played tennis before, but are loving picking up a new skill – and getting a lot of exercise at the same time!”

For more information about Diversity Tennis, contact Emma and Fiona at www.diversitytennis.co.uk