Blind Tennis
Blind Tennis often called Soundball Tennis is played on either a badminton court or a standard tennis court using a junior tennis racket and an adapted sponge ball that makes a noise when it bounces. Balls can be either black or fluorescent yellow to give maximum contrast with the colour of the sports hall.
Introduction to Blind Tennis video below
The standard rules of tennis apply with just a few modifications: if you’re totally blind you’re allowed three bounces, those with partial sight are allowed two. Just like standard tennis, you can play singles or doubles. Sighted players can play against visually impaired players, but they’re allowed only one bounce and no volleying.
Tennis Contacts
To find out more about what we offer or to get involved, contact lucy.simper@metroblindsport.org or call on 07966 260 089 or Linda Almond: laalmond2018@gmail.com
Upcoming Tennis Events
Visually Impaired Tennis National Tournaments 2022
Upcoming tournaments below
24 – 25 Sept: London Visually Impaired Tennis Tournament
- Venue: NTC, London
- Organiser: Lee Neale
- Email: lhntennis@gmail.com
15 – 16 October Glasgow Visually Impaired Tennis Tournament
- Venue: Newlands Tennis Club
- Organiser: Lesley Whitehead
- Email: lesley.whitehead@ymail.com
TBC: Visually Impaired Tennis National Finals
- Venue: Loughborough University
- Organiser: Sophie Hall
- Email: Sophie.Hall@lta.org.uk
Metro Blind Sports Subsidy Information
Downloadable Subsidy Policy and Subsidy Claim Form
- Subsidy Policy 2022 in word format
- Subsidy Request Form in word format
VI Tennis Regional Tournaments Calendar
Call the LTA Services Team on +44 (0)208 487 7000 for an expert member of the team to assist with any queries you may have.
To use the tournament search on the LTA website you will need to register and become an LTA Member, you will also need to tick the disability option and choose your dates ( at the moment of writing this
Website: https://www3.lta.org.uk/Competitions/Search/
What Metro can offer:
- Regular evening practice sessions in London with a coach on hand
- An annual national tournament in the autumn (thanks to support from the Tennis Foundation)
- Support to achieve a coaching certificate
- Sessions for adults and juniors. Islington Tennis Centre Friday sessions are for partially sighted players. National Tennis Centre Friday sessions are for advanced players.
- Wednesday sessions are for totally blind players (B1) and people who have never played tennis before.
- Subsidies to help with travel and accommodation to qualifying LTA Tennis Tournaments.
If you are keen to find out more, then please contact
lucy.simper@metroblindsport.org or call on 07966 260 089.
Tennis Volunteers always welcomed
If you want to try volunteering for Blind tennis, please Contact: Linda Almond
or call 07775 894136
Metro Annual Tennis Tournaments
Read about the Metro Annual Tennis Tournaments and a new players perspective by clicking on ‘Articles’ in the Quicklinks box on this page. For an umpire’s view of the 2012 Tournament, Visit: http://www.csp.org.uk/frontline/article/viewpoint-tennis-anyone
Watch a video on Metro the Tennis Foundation website of metro members playing at the National Tennis Centre
Blind Tennis History
To read about Miyoshi Takei, the inventor of blind tennis, visit:http://www.hanno.jp/matsui/
Linda Almond Volunteer of the Year Nominee!
We wanted to share the video about Linda, our awesome Tennis Volunteer Co-Ordinator, that was made for the London Sports Awards 2020.
Linda Almond Volunteer of the Year Video Below!
All at Metro want to send Linda and her amazing group of volunteers our heartfelt thanks and never-ending gratitude for all their hard work, Due to you we can offer regular blind and partially sighted tennis lessons at the Islington Tennis Centre!
VI Tennis Regional Tournaments Calendar
For more information, please contact Liz.Terry@lta.org.uk
Call the LTA Services Team on +44 (0)208 487 7000 for an expert member of the team to assist with any queries you may have.
To use the tournament search on the LTA website you will need to register and become an LTA Member, you will also need to tick the disability option and choose your dates ( at the moment of writing this
Website: https://www3.lta.org.uk/Competitions/Search/
LTA Disability Competitions Calendar and Entry links
LTA Disability Competitions Calendar: https://blindsport.uk/LTAVIComps
LTA Disability area: https://blindsport.uk/LTAVITennis
To confirm and for latest updated info please use the contact below
Contact: Email: disabilitycompetitions@lta.org.uk
or Claire McCulloch
Disability Competitions Co-ordinator
D: +442084877124
M: +447957959057
Tennis event page Link Below
VI Guide to Tennis
Download latest Blind Tennis guide – Word version
Download latest Blind Tennis guide – PDF version
Link below to the final points table for 2019!
Visually Impaired Regional 2019 Points Table
Great Britain Squad Selection Policy for Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis
The Great Britain VI Tennis Squad (GB VI Squad) is run by the LTA
to find and develop players who have the potential to win medals at
international events. PDF download link to the policy below.
Link here: https://blindsport.uk/VISquadPolicy
VI Tennis Development & Competitions.
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Contacts
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- Dave Hardman dave.hardman@lta.org.uk
- Mark Bullock Disability Tennis Co-ordinator 07496 029 539
Email: mark.bullock@middlesextennis.org.uk or Tel. 07496 029 539
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The Positive Impact of Disability Tennis report
This can be downloaded from the Tennis Foundation’s website link below
DOWNLOAD REPORT: The Positive Impact of Disability Tennis
Want to know more about Blind Tennis?
To find out more about what we offer or to get involved, contact Odette battarel: Odette.battarel@gmail.com
You can watch a video of Odette being interviewed about Sound Ball Tennis at the link below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGOjB5ZVSj4
Latest VI Advisory Groups agreed on VI Tennis Rules
Download: the full VI Tennis Advisory Group Document below
Feedback Word document here
See rules for more info.
IBTA Classification Rules and Procedures 2019
Link to word document https://blindsport.uk/IBTARules2019
BLINDFOLD REQUIREMENTS
Players competing in the B1 sport class are required to wear a blindfold as mentioned in section (2.3). Only proper blindfolds or eyeshades providing ample cover around the eyes, support and light obstruction will be accepted. Makeshift or non-sport specific blindfolds will not be accepted (Example: Sleeping masks). Similarly, damaged beyond functionality blindfolds (allowing the player to peek through or under) will also be rejected. Tempered blindfolds will be ground for disqualification”
A few suggested blindfolds but NOT limited to those are:
More Blindfolds Links Below
Visually Impaired Tennis Advisory Group (VIAG)
The Advisory Group consists of various stakeholders involved in the sport, it aims to support the development of VI tennis within the UK. The Group meet 3-4 times a year to discuss matters including rules/regulations, competitions, classifications and international engagement and to enable good communication between the LTA, players, coaches etc. about developments and issues facing the sport
Paul Gillet has recently been appointed as area rep for the south which includes Metro Blind Sport and he would be pleased to receive news from anyone involved in the sport about new developments as well as any queries, concerns or suggestions
You may contact at any time on soundtennissussex@gmail.com or through facebook. We aim also to notify everyone in good time before future meetings.
The following people have been appointed onto the VI advisory group:
Player Rep – Sidney Tambin – Sidney.Tambin@googlemail.com
North Rep – Graeme Manwell – gmanwell@googlemail.com
Midlands Rep – Phillip Hancock – Philhancock1979@aol.com
South Rep – Paul Gillett – soundtennissussex@gmail.com
Coach Rep – Louise Assioun – lassioun@yahoo.co.uk
BBS – Logan Gray – logan@britishblindsport.org.uk
LTA – Liz Terry – Liz.Terry@lta.org.uk / Dave Hardman – David.hardman@lta.org.uk
Metro Blind Sports Social Networks
Get all the latest blind & partially sighted event information & news as soon as we do!
Metro Blind Sport: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
Metro Blind Sport membership: more info or Join here