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 florescent 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.
To find out more about what we offer or to get involved, contact Odette Battarel email: Odette.battarel@gmail.com or Linda Almond: laalmond2018@gmail.com
Latest Tennis Events
VI Tennis – NTC – 15 Oct!
Learn Blind Tennis 16 Oct
Tennis Volunteers welcomed
If you want to try volunteering for Blind tennis, please Contact: Linda Almond
2019 Regional VI Tennis Tournaments
The dates for the regional tournaments that have been confirmed already are as follows:
There is one new tournament which is going to be held in Glasgow at the end of July. It would be great if players can show their support at this one as it’s new to the calendar.
- 04th – 05th May 2019 Newcastle Regional Tournament
- 01st – 02nd June 2019 Brighton Regional Tournament
- 27th – 28th July 2019 Glasgow Regional Tournament
- 24th – 25th August 2019 York Regional Tournament
- 28th – 29th September 2019 London Regional Tournament
Please note that due to court resurfacing these dates have been provisionally booked HOWEVER this is not confirmed and is subject to change. More information to follow.
- 27th October 2019 Birmingham Regional Tournament
Further details for each tournament including links to enter will be sent out by the end of the year. For now please put the dates in your diaries and look forward to seeing everyone at Nationals.
For more information contact Sophie Hall, Disability Competitions Coordinator is Sophie Hall and her email is sophie.hall@tennisfoundation.org.uk
- Video on Blind Tennis
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.
Check out our latest Tennis Events Here
VI Guide to Tennis
Download latest Blind Tennis guide – Word version – December 2016
Download latest Blind Tennis guide – PDF version – December 2016
Latest Tennis Updates
The Tennis Foundation is becoming part of the Lawn Tennis Association in 2019
VI Tennis Development & Competitions.
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Contact
- 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
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 odetteb@pocklington-trust.org.uk
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 VI Tennis Rules
Download: the full VI Tennis Advisory Group Document below
Feedback Word document here
See rules for more info.
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
Blindfolds Links Below
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
To read about Miyoshi Takei, the inventor of blind tennis, visit:http://www.hanno.jp/matsui/