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Participants and coaches in the tennis taster session for blind and visually impaired adults at Tralee Tennis Club. Photo: Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership Facebook
TRALEE Tennis Club yesterday hosted a tennis taster session for blind and visually impaired adults.
Blind/VI tennis is played with a special foam ball with a rattle to help players track the ball through hearing. In Blind/VI tennis, the baseline is halfway between the service box and the normal baseline.
“We are delighted to have hosted and given these participants the opportunity to try out tennis,” says Nuala Finnegan, Chairperson, Tralee Tennis Club.
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“We had a lot of fun with this group. Everyone was new to tennis and the levels of enthusiasm were huge. We hope to welcome them all back to our courts very soon,” she adds.
Blind Tennis was developed in Japan in the 1980s and it took more than 30 years to make it to Ireland. It was introduced in 2016 by Tennis Ireland and Vision Sports Ireland.
“The participants range in levels of vision, from partially sighted to totally blind, meaning that the players have to keep a keen ear on the ball,” says Joanne Williamson, tennis coach.
“It’s wonderful that Tralee Tennis Club has initiated Blind/VI for Tralee and the surrounding areas. Tennis is a game that lends itself very well to a blast of fresh air, exercise, fun and sociability,” says Joanne.
Anyone interested in taking part in future sessions should contact Rosie at Vision Sports Ireland | rosie@visionsports.ie or 086 152 66 42.
This is a joint project between Tralee Tennis Club, Tennis Ireland, Vision Sport Ireland and Kerry County Council.
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