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Choice International - Wheelchair Tennis Back to Court Camp

On Sunday 23 August Choice International will be bringing wheelchair tennis players back to court.

Tennis players smiling to camera after an inclusive tennis session in a sportshall.

When the lockdowns in the UK were just starting, Choice’s founder, Manoj, saw that disabled athletes were being ignored by the booming online fitness trend.

As a disabled person and wheelchair tennis player himself, Manoj wanted to change that. Since March, Choice has been working with local athletes and coaches to create online fitness classes for the disabled community, particularly focusing on wheelchair tennis as a way to stay fit at home. Choice aims to bring professional coaching, fitness, and inspiration to people's homes.

With the support of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, Choice became the first to offer innovative online wheelchair tennis sessions, delivered weekly. These Inclusive fitness sessions have helped disabled people across the UK as well as internationally. Players are joining from Mauritius, India, Peru, Ecuador and most recently Nigeria. These sessions are ongoing and delivered by Former GB Wheelchair Tennis Coaches, Stuart Wilkinson and Mark Bullock. Even with the relaxing of lockdown rules,  these sessions continue to run due to the incredible demand for them.

Disabled people face many challenges when it comes to finding accessible sports to play, facilities to use, courts and even coaches to be trained by. Choice’s online sessions have given these athletes an alternative opportunity and a real chance to not only stay fit and master their craft, but to connect and learn with other athletes who have faced the same challenges.

Mariam Ayeni, wheelchair tennis player and weekly online session participant, said:

“I think this group is doing some really amazing work especially in these strange times. I am really enjoying the sessions and learning quite a lot. Getting back on court recently I realised how fit I was because of the support I had during lockdown through these sessions. I hope we can keep these sessions going as long as possible."

Mark Bullock, Wheelchair Tennis Coach, said:

“Supporting Choice’s weekly online sessions since lockdown has helped build my confidence, learnings and experience, helped support my business in inclusive sport & camp; provided a focus in a challenging time; allowing me to develop new skills and the potential to reach new audiences.” 

Now it’s time for these athletes to bring their skills back to the court. On Sunday 23 August, Choice will be hosting a wheelchair tennis training camp at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park in Stratford from 10am-11am. Funded by the Queens Club Foundation, this camp will be run by our highly experienced coaches; Stuart Wilkinson, Mark Bullock and Geraint Richards. All the necessary social distancing measures will be in place to ensure athletes have an enjoyable and safe experience.

To register or for further details please contact: admin@choice-international.com or call 07940967723 via Whatsapp. 

Image credit: Choice International