Ely Rotary Club Members Learn About Diversity Tennis Club

Members of the Ely Rotary Club were treated to an inspiring talk by Emma and Fiona, the founders of their very own Diversity Tennis club. The duo shared their journey of setting up the club, which focuses on providing tennis sessions for individuals with disabilities and long-term health problems, regardless of age or ability.

During the presentation, Rotary Club members were able to see firsthand the specialized equipment used in the classes, such as lighter and colorful tennis balls, smaller racquets, and sports wheelchairs. Emma and Fiona also demonstrated the importance of running specialized warm-up exercises tailored to different conditions and disabilities before each tennis session.

The pair shared heartwarming success stories from the club, including anecdotes of school children who were once anxious about PE lessons but now regularly participate in tennis activities and enjoy sports at school. Members of the Rotary Club of Ely even had the opportunity to join in on the exercises, with one member experiencing what it was like to play tennis with impaired vision by wearing dark glasses and relying on sound cues to catch the ball.

Emma and Fiona’s approach to coaching focuses on the abilities of their learners, emphasizing what they can do rather than what they cannot. The sessions always end on a high note with tea and cake, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants.

Diversity Tennis runs sessions twice a week at The Hive in Ely Leisure Village, offering walking tennis on Tuesdays and wheel and walking tennis on Fridays. They also extend their outreach programs to Littleport and Witchford, ensuring that their inclusive tennis sessions reach as many individuals as possible.

For those interested in joining Diversity Tennis or learning more about their programs, they can contact them via email at info@diversitytennis.co.uk.