What’s on in York: Try tennis free of charge at Energise
Councillors try out limited vision tennis at Energise
Sheena Jackson (Westfield) and Stephen Fenton (Dringhouses) put on special glasses to demonstrate the impact visual impairment has for anyone playing sport.
The event took place at Energise at the weekend.
Stephen wore glasses that when playing gave him the experience of someone who has to live with “tunnel vision”.
The glasses Sheena wore completely blurred her vision and made things all fuzzy. Sheena said they “made you feel somewhat nauseus after a while when hitting a tennis ball”.
The ball that was used was a sponge ball which is used in short tennis and inside the ball was another ball the size of a golf ball with ball bearing inside which people with visual impairment would be able to hear when the ball was approaching them to enable them to make contact with it.
The Councillors said that the session was an interesting one and everyone who participated enjoyed that activities along with the glorious sunshine.
The local ward Councillors support the activities being put on at Energise. The weekend before they went along to see what coaching/drills/activities the new tennis section at Energise has to offer.
What’s on in York: inclusive tennis session at Energise
Wealthy to dominate tennis again?
Residents are being invited to try their hand at tennis at an inclusive tennis day at Energise on Saturday 25 March.
This event, which has been organised by City of York Council, offers the chance for everyone who enjoys tennis and would like to sample blind tennis to do so for a small fee.
This will be a great family event which looks to raise awareness of visually impaired tennis and what opportunities there are to play inclusive tennis in York. The day will also allow people to play tennis and blind tennis. If popular it is hoped further sessions will be arranged.
The event will run between 11am and 4pm and will cost £2 per person with all funds raised going towards the regional visually impaired tennis tournament hosted in York at David Lloyds on 8 and 9 April.
Cllr Nigel Ayre, executive member for culture, leisure and tourism said: “This inclusive event looks to make tennis an accessible sport for all. As well as learning new skills and keeping fit, the day will allow participants to build friendships both on and off the court and raise awareness of opportunities to play inclusive sport in the city. This event comes ahead of York hosting the regional visually impaired tennis tournament next month. All are welcome at this event and I would encourage anyone who would like to give tennis a go to come along and take part at Energise.”
The event is open to residents of all ages and abilities and no previous experience or special equipment is required.
For more information contact please contact Hannah Higginson at hannah.higginson@york.gov.uk or on 01904 551431.
Councillors promote tennis at Energise
Local tennis club proposes extending lease on York council courts
To ensure that tennis continues as a quality sport in the city and that facilities for York residents are well-maintained at Rowntree Park, City of York Council will consider granting Rowntree Park Tennis Club a lease to manage and run the courts for the next three years. The Decision Session will be on 29 January at 3:30pm.
Rowntree Park is one of three locations with council-owned tennis courts Hull Road Park and Glen Gardens have two courts each and Rowntree Park has six. The courts’ management has been under review for the last few years following changes to park management during which time Glen Gardens tennis courts have been leased to Heworth Tennis Club for 25 years. Rowntree Park Tennis Club has been running since the 1950’s and is open to anyone to join.
In May 2015 an agreement was reached with the club to manage the courts on a trial basis for one year. Since then, club membership has doubled and the Lawn Tennis Association’s on-line booking system is being brought into play to enable occasional tennis players to pay and play rather than join the club.As a result, the club would now like to extend this arrangement.
This would put the asset into community control and support the principle of volunteers assisting with the care of the city’s sports spaces and facilities. It would bring the courts into line with other council sports assets that are managed by the community including fishing ponds, football, rugby and cricket pitches and bowling greens.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “I’m delighted that another of the city’s sports clubs is interested in managing more of the council’s tennis courts which could help develop further interest and levels of skill in the sport.”
The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism’s Decision Session will take place on Friday 29 January at West Offices from 3:30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch later online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts
To find out more about the report, or to attend, visit: http://modgov.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=9110&x=1
New tennis league open to all
The competition invites adult players of all standards to pick up their racquets and sign up to a local singles league. Participants are organised into groups and then liaise with their opponent to arrange a mutually convenient time to play, at a court in the city to suit them both. Each round runs for eight weeks and round one launches on Thursday 9 July during Wimbledon 2015.
The local league aims to open up competitive tennis to everyone, whether or not they are members of a club. It will make it easier to compete on public courts by matching interested partners of similar standards and will be a way of meeting new people through sport. The initiative is one of many opportunities across the city to encourage residents to play sport more often and exercise for the recommended 150 minutes a week.
Top spin
Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “Anyone who is inspired by Wimbledon will love this opportunity to play competitively against new opponents in the city. Sporting opportunities such as this are an enjoyable way to build friendships as well as keeping fit.”
The league gives a can of free tennis balls to every player who completes three matches by the half way point and there are prizes for the winners of each group. It is affiliated to the sport’s governing body, the Lawn Tennis Association.
To enter the league visit www.localtennisleagues.com/york and register by Monday 6 July. The entry fee is £15 and further information is available from Local Tennis Leagues members on 07503 281732 or email yorktennisleague@gmail.com
Smashing Easter tennis courses announced
Some ace tennis sessions are being served up to residents of all ages throughout Easter.
Booking has opened for a number of courses inviting residents to net the chance to sharpen their tennis skills across the city over the next month
Upcoming sessions are at:
• Hull Road Park. This 10-week course, from Wednesday 15 April, is aimed at beginners or adults who haven’t played for a while. The sessions will be led by a fully-qualified LTA coach and held from 10am to 11am at a cost of £3.50 per session or £30 for the whole course. To book or for further information contact Jason May on 07900394788 or jason.may10@gmail.com
• Heworth Tennis Club. A fun tennis camp for children aged 6-16 of all ability levels during the Easter holidays led by a fully qualified LTA coach. Sessions run between 1pm and 4pm and take place on: Tuesday 31 March, Thursday 2 April, Tuesday 7 April and Thursday 9 April. The camp costs £10 for members and £15 for non members. To book or for further information contact Jason May on 07900394788 or jason.may10@gmail.com
• Strensall Tennis Club. A new adult tennis coaching programme aimed at beginners or adults who haven’t played for while. The course starts on Friday 24 April for 8 weeks between 6pm and 7.30pm at a cost of just £2 per session.To book or for further information contact Matt Ward on 07882 267971, email matt@icanplaytennis.net or visit www.icanplaytennis.net.
• Wheldrake Tennis Club, which is running two 10 week programmes starting in April. Both programmes cost £30, the adult coaching course starts Monday 20 April 6pm to 7.30pm. The Rusty Rackets course for those who want to take up tennis starts on Tuesday 21 April 9.30am to 11am. To book or for further information contact Matt Ward on 07882 267971, email matt@icanplaytennis.net or visit www.icanplaytennis.net.
For information on tennis in the city or other sporting opportunities contact Sport Participation Officer Nick Settle on 01904 553377 or email nick.settle@york.gov.uk .
Tennis coaching
Get into the swing 
Date: Wed 19 Mar and Sun 21 Mar Time: 9.30am to 10.30am Venue: Tennis Courts, Hull Road Park Cost: £3 per session or £25 for 10 weeks
This 10 week tennis course is aimed at beginners or adults who have not played for a while. Sessions start on Wed 19 March and Sun 21 March at Hull Road Park. More.