Sound Ball Tennis at Highgate – Sunday 31st August & Sunday 14th September

Sound Ball Tennis at Brookside Sunday 31st August and Sunday 14th September 2-4pm

We are offering some Sound Ball Tennis sessions on Brookside courts (weather permitting!) on Sunday 31st August and Sunday 14th September 2-4pm for Highgate members to experience the game and play socially with partially sighted players.  All welcome – come and try. Free cake afterwards!

Sound Ball Tennis 3 Sound Ball Tennis 2 Sound Ball Tennis 1 Images via Alan Almond

Sound Ball Tennis

Metro started running training sessions in tennis in 2007, following an impressive demonstration of the sport by Japanese blind and partially sighted players. The game is played on either a badminton court or a standard tennis court using a junior tennis racket and an adapted sponge ball that makes a noise when it bounces. Balls can be either black or florescent yellow to give maximum contrast with the colour of the sports hall. The standard rules of tennis apply with just a few modifications: if you’re totally blind you’re allowed three bounces, those with partial sight are allowed two.  Just like standard tennis, you can play singles or doubles. Sighted players can play against VI players, but they’re allowed only one bounce and no volleying.

Help Needed for Partially Sighted Tennis Sessions at Islington Tennis Centre

Can you help with any of the following sound ball tennis sessions?

  • Wednesday 6-8pm 10th September
  • Wednesday 6-8pm 24th September
  • Wednesday 6-8pm 15th October
  • Wednesday 6-8pm 29th October
  • Wednesday 6-8pm 12th November
  • Wednesday 6-8pm 26th November
  • Wednesday 6-8pm 3rd December

Even offering help with one session would be great. Also a perfect volunteering opportunity for any Duke of Edinburgh candidates. All take place at Islington Tennis Centre. Please do email (almondall@aol.com) if you can help with a session.  Volunteer info is here.

The National VI Tennis Championships  Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th October,  at the NTC in Roehampton, London SW15.

Some Highgate members have volunteered in the past and volunteers are needed again this year.   This year the tournament is an official event sanctioned by the Tennis Foundation and will be run in association with Metro.  The attached  letter / form gives more information about the volunteering opportunities they are looking to fill.  If you are able to help, please complete that attached form and return to Kirsty Thomson at the Tennis Foundation (Kirsty.Thomson@tennisfoundation.org.uk).
It’s a great opportunity to see the National Tennis Centre. There is also the chance to play in the tournament with a partially sighted player. Jessica Bavinton and her partner Paul won the event last year. The players entry form is available from Linda Almond – almondall@aol.com or here

Image via Metro Blind Sport.org