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Tralee Tennis Club members with refugees and asylum seekers at the tennis programme on Thursday morning at the club’s courts. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRALEE Tennis Club and the Tralee International Resource Centre joined forces to serve up an ‘Introduction to Tennis’, for adult refugees and asylum seekers in Tralee.
The four-week programme was designed as a way of integrating migrants with the local community, through tennis, regardless of people’s background or circumstances.
The programme was run entirely by volunteers from Tralee Tennis Club, who designed a fun way to learn tennis, aimed at a couple of hours of normality, physical activity, and the chance for participants to interact together and with members of Tralee Tennis Club.
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The project was kindly supported by Kerry County Council, who provided rackets and balls for the participants to use.
“There is a real passion for the game of tennis in our Club. We were therefore delighted to offer migrants the opportunity to try out the game that we love so much,” says Nuala Finnegan, Chairperson of Tralee Tennis Club.
“Tennis is a game that lends itself very well to fresh air and fun, to escape whatever circumstances people find themselves in. We certainly had a lot of fun with this group. Hopefully it’s something we can offer more of in the future,” she adds.
Taking part in the tennis programme on Thursday
The ‘Introduction to Tennis’ is a pilot programme, which catered for 20 participants from eight different countries and finished up with a fun tournament on Thursday.
“One of our primary aims is to promote the integration and participation of migrants in wider community activities. Sport is a great way for people from different communities to integrate. What the volunteers at the Tennis Club are doing, is a perfect example of this. We commend their efforts. Thank you all!” says Mary Carroll, Coordinator, Tralee International Resource Centre.
Taking part in the tennis programme on Thursday
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Taking part in the tennis programme on Thursday
Taking part in the tennis programme on Thursday
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