Lutterworth Tennis Club

From Morrisons to the Main Draw: David’s Wheelchair Tennis Journey

Type of programme

Lutterworth Tennis Club runs ongoing disability tennis sessions and is continually developing opportunities for new participants. The club focuses on creating inclusive, confidence-building experiences for people of all ages and abilities.

The club aims to integrate all members within their day-to-day coaching and club sessions wherever possible. They run dedicated one-to-one sessions for several wheelchair players and a regular weekly group session for a local special needs adult care service (catering to varied diagnoses like Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Selective Mutism).

The programme also includes a number of Neurodivergent junior players within their usual coaching program, providing additional coach support free of charge when needed. The club is actively involved in pathways for players, including a junior on the Special Olympics pathway for LD tennis and engagement with the Visually Impaired (VI) tennis setup.

Example activities

Wheelchair Tennis: David, a 41-year-old local resident born with a congenital condition that led to a below-knee amputation, was introduced to tennis through a casual conversation with one of the club’s members at the local Morrison’s store. Having never played a racket sport before, he began lessons in January and quickly developed a passion for the game. Coaches James Robbins and Mark Langeveld have worked closely with David, adapting training to suit his abilities and introducing him to the use of a sports wheelchair. Through their guidance and support, David rapidly progressed in skill and confidence, recently competing in his first wheelchair tennis tournament in Leeds.

The club also secured a grant from the Dan Maskell Trust to help cover coaching and equipment costs, allowing David to continue training and setting new personal goals. His story has been a powerful motivator for the wider club community and a clear demonstration of how inclusive tennis can transform lives.

Adult Special Needs Group: A regular weekly session for a local adult care service involves players with complex communication needs, including non-speaking members and a young lady who uses a motorised wheelchair. These sessions are highly varied and require coaches to frequently "think outside the box" with games. Two members have progressed well and have attended a trial at the LD Special Olympics training camp.

Junior Development: One 13-year-old junior is on the Special Olympics pathway for LD tennis, recently attending a training camp in Grantham and taking part in the nationals. The club is also proactively connecting a young, significantly visually impaired junior with the VI set up and hopes to take him to the next training camp at Nottingham to ensure he is on the correct pathway.

What works

The club’s friendly, proactive approach to inclusion has been instrumental in helping new players like David feel welcome and supported. Personal introductions, individual coaching and a genuine interest in players’ progress have created a sense of belonging and pride.

Collaborating with coaches experienced in disability tennis, such as Mark Langeveld, has also ensured sessions are delivered safely and effectively. For their junior program, providing additional, free coach support ensures that all Neurodivergent players can be fully included in their usual sessions. Access to small grants and partnerships with organisations like the Dan Maskell Trust, LTA, Tennis Leicestershire, and Bright Ideas for Tennis, have made it possible to remove financial barriers and invest in suitable equipment.

What we have learnt

As a volunteer-led initiative, maintaining visibility and awareness of disability opportunities remains an ongoing challenge. The club recognises the need for more consistent promotion and outreach to encourage other disabled players to try tennis.

Expanding capacity, both in coaching expertise and specialist equipment, will be vital for growing the programme further. The enthusiasm and success stories of players like David and the adult group are a powerful motivator, continuing to inspire the club and others across the county to develop similar opportunities.

Contact Details

Dave Lowden

dave@racketplay.co.uk

07905 308891