PR. VI Tennis tournament 29th July 2014

VISION4GROWTHS SECOND VISUALLY IMPAIRED OPEN
TOURNAMENT - was a great success! With applications exceeding targets set by Tennis Foundation, in
all sight categories, the competition was fierce to secure the 2014
tournament trophies on, Tuesday 29 July 2014, at Hills Road
Sports and Tennis Centre.
Using the International rules for the first time in an open
tournament, all players embraced the new game layouts with equal
determination:
• Mini orange courts were laid out for B2 and
B3/4 players allowing three bounces for less
sighted participants.
• Mini Red courts were laid for B1 players who
according to International rules wear
blindfolds.
V I Tennis Cambridge players retained B1 category Men's
Champion Nikhil Nair, joined by B1 Women's finalist Emma
Meade. It was a fiercely fought competition against other B1 players
from London and Buckinghamshire. Tennis coaches volunteered
from Newcastle, Graeme Manwell and London, David Vellala.
The B2 Men's Championship, also a Cambridge player, Mick
Scadden delivered a consistent game throughout and was joined
by women's finalist Raina Haig from London who was delighted to
receive her first VI tennis trophy.
Eight contestants battled on 2 courts for the B3/4 Men's and
Women's trophies. The finalists both from London were Paul Ryb
and Janette Reynolds.
Vision4growth (V4G) are pleased to gain support from Sainsbury's
who had kindly supplied fresh fruit and water bottles, organised by
Hills road Sainsbury's manager Jane Moody and a lunch bag was
provided by Subway manager Manoj from the Hills Road Leisure
Park.
All V4G volunteers provided support on and off court ensuring
players were hydrated and enjoyed the refreshments. Hills road
staff were fantastic in facilitating the open tournament and we were
delighted to have some of their students supporting the event.
Alex Wheen, 28, the tournament organiser, was impressed to
receive positive responses from the players who had travelled long
distances to engage in the event. "Our cambridge players have done us proud" he smiled.
V4G are now working with a new coach whilst Alex trains for his
Level 2 Coaching qualification. Over the summer holidays they
will be running taster sessions for visually impaired young people
and their friends, and are hoping to start an evening course for
employed visually impaired
people in Cambridge The group were delighted to
be visited by Melanie Baker
from the Grants department of
Cambridge City Council,
who have been great supporters of Vision4growth
activities in Cambridge. They were appreciative of Rebecca
Gilbertson, from Living Sport, having agreed to present the
medals, as they have also helped support this tournament.
Additional funding was secured from LTA/Tennis Foundation and
Tennis 4 Cambridgeshire.
The group will be visited, in a few weeks time, by one of the
founders of VI Tennis from Japan who used to live in Cambridge .
Her support towards Vision4growth has proven invaluable, as we
will now be working on an international base.
For more information on this exciting new sport visit our
website at www.vision4growth.org.uk or follow us on Twitter
@vision4growth and visit our Facebook Page or contact Fiona Musgrove: 07564910651

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