Nearly 200 young people have benefited from MK Inclusive Tennis opportunities. Using funding from the Sportivate programme local coach Nigel Willard is making tennis accessible to more people across the area. A variety of participants aged 11-25 with a range of disabilities including players who are visually impaired, deaf, wheelchair users or have learning disabilities have become involved in the sport.
Nigel Willard commented,
“MK Inclusive Tennis are delighted to be part of the Sportivate Programme as through this we have provided so many children throughout Milton Keynes with the opportunity to play tennis in a fun, safe and friendly environment. Many of our participants have continued their tennis journey with us once the initial Sportivate funded sessions have ceased which is a testament to our dedicated coaches who ensure both progress and enjoyment in the sport.
Key to the success of the programme has been listening to the needs to participants, purchasing specialist equipment for the beginner disability sessions, coaches understanding the needs of different personalities and continually engaging and reassuring participates throughout the sessions.
One of the visual impaired players recently reached the final stages in a couple of national tournaments which has been a great inspiration for our disability section.”
Leap’s Director Mark Ormerod said:
“We are thrilled by the success of this year’s schemes. Sportivate projects offer free and subsidised coaching in a variety of activities to offer young people a taster of just how fun, enjoyable and social being active can be. Importantly, it also creates awareness of how imperative regular physical activity is to their future health and wellbeing.”
Jacqueline Galvin, Sportivate Lead at Leap, said:
“Sportivate has proven to have a very positive impact on changing behaviours. 83% of those surveyed at three months were still sustaining their activity and this demonstrates these projects support young people to transition into regular community activity.
“Helping these young people maintain healthy lifestyles will in time reduce their healthcare costs to the NHS. Increasing physical activity levels have shown to reduce the risk of early death by 20-35% from a range of chronic diseases.”
For more information on Inclusive Tennis MK visit their website https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/mkit