Elsie Lange
South Gisborne Tennis Club (SGTC) will celebrate 21 years of its all-abilities program on Sunday, March 20, and Gail Scott couldn’t be prouder.
Ms Scott is the current coordinator of the program and in different roles has been watching it grow for 15 years, giving more than 150 people with disabilities the chance to learn and love the sport.
“It’s about building confidence, it’s about being sportsman-like, it’s about being healthy, it’s about wellbeing, it’s about mindfulness,” Ms Scott said.
“It just ticks every box, and the best thing is they all go off smiling.
“They all come back the next week which is even better,” she said.
Ms Scott said a number of organisations within the disability sector have become involved with the club, with nine of the participants deciding to take up tennis outside of the all-abilities program too.
The open day will include a number of tennis activities, with two wheelchairs available for people to understand the effort it takes to play in one.
“We will have all our little hot shot nets set up, we will have cardio tennis going, we will have a beat-the-coach going, and that’s hilarious,” Ms Scott said.
Ms Scott said the all-abilities program gives people with disabilities the opportunity to break down barriers and make new friends.
“It’s not about the money, it’s not about loading up with numbers – it’s just about giving access to opportunities,” Ms Scott said.
She said one of the best bits of feedback she received about the program was in a letter from one of the participants’ parents.
“The letter said she loves to come to the tennis club because it’s her happy place,” Ms Scott said.
Details: sgtennisclub.com.au/all-abilities/
