SPORT CARDIFF GIRLS TOGETHER
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS EVENT
On Sunday 17th April Sport Cardiff hosted the first Girls Together disability specific event at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The event was arranged by Sport Cardiff staff Joanna Coates McGrath (Disability Sport & Club Development Coordinator) and Fay Benningwood (Women and Girls Officer) in partnership with Tennis Wales.
The eventcoached by David Liddiard (Cardiff wheelchair tennis club/tigers eye tennis coach) was open to participants with lower-limb impairments. Non-disabled family members were encouraged to get involved and actively take part in the session. It was agreat asset to have Paralympian Louise Hunt attend the event and inspire the group. Louise (age 24) was born with a disability called Spina Bifida and has therefore been in a wheelchair her whole life as she has little movement in her lower limbs.At the age of 5 Louise began participating in many sports and soon discovered she had keen interests in Wheelchair Tennis and Wheelchair Racing. Louise has been playing and competing in Wheelchair Tennis ever since, and in 2012 competed in her first Paralympic Games in London which was a dream come true.
Joanna Coates McGrath said ‘today is the first time Sport Cardiff has been involved in a disability sports event specifically for females, the event has been a great success and we have had lots of positive feedback. We will definitely consider holding other female specific events in the future. ‘
Participant Rhian Gregory who took part with her mum Carol said ‘I had a great time at the event. It was enjoyable to be involved with other women who shared a similar interest, to learn new skills and have fun. It was great that Louise Hunt, a professional wheelchair tennis player was at the event. I admire her strength, talent and commitment to the sport. I'm quite a shy person, and she was ever so friendly and helpful.’Rhian’s mum Carol who took to a chair to participate alongside her daughter said ‘Girl power in action! Blew the dust off my racquet, and yes I really did, and had a blast. Loved every minute, and gave my daughter and I an opportunity to play tennis together, something we both so enjoyed. Tennis is a marvellous fitness medicine.’
Fay Benningwood said ‘it has been a positive step to incorporate a new element into the Girls Together campaign focusing on a specific disability event. The event met the ethos of the Girls Together brand which is to provide fun and fitness for the females of Cardiff. The session gave participants a chance to try something new and directed them to future opportunities to continue to play tennis. It was a fun event; which for some allowed a completely new experience of sport and having Louise along reinforced the importance of role models to inspire others to take part.’
Cardiff Wheelchair Tennis Club coach David Liddiard ran the session. David is always looking for ways to encourage new players to try wheelchair tennis and therefore was delighted to support this SportCardiff, Girls Togetherinitiative, specifically targeting women and girl’s engagement in sport.
David said ‘hopefully, on the day we were able to show what a fun and inclusive sport wheelchair tennis is, with sports chairs and equipment provided to enable everyone to try fun skills and drills with experienced coaches and Paralympian, Louise Hunt, offering tips and encouragement throughout the day to a mixture of novice through to experienced players.This type of event is what is needed to raise awareness of the opportunities available in disability sport and wheelchair tennis in particular.’
Tennis Wales were pleased to see so many new faces attending the event, supported by the existing players who attend the weekly sessions at the Cardiff Wheelchair Tennis club. They could see the impact that Lousie Hunt had on the group inspiring them with her infectious personality and the tips she gave everyone to improve their games were really well received.
Disability tennis is a key driver for Tennis Wales as part of the 2020 vision for tennis. Tennis Wales want to grow the game in all respects, making it accessible to everyone in the community, therefore working closely with the Tennis Foundation, Sport Cardiff and coaching provider, Tigers Eye Tennis to put an event like this on is definitely contributing in that respect.Tennis is also one of the priority sports for the Sport Cardiff Girls Together campaign this year and plans are in place to create lots of new tennis opportunities across Cardiff.
If you have felt inspired by this article and would like to try Wheelchair Tennis please contact David Liddiard at or come along to club sessions; held at David Lloyd, Cardiff, 11.00am – 1.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, or junior sessions every Sunday 5.00-7.00pm at Cardiff Met. Tennis Centre, Cyncoed Campus.
For future information on the Girls Together programme, Sport Cardiff disability sport or Tennis Wales please follow on Twitter @SportCardiff_WG @SportCardiff_DS @TennisWales or visit