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. Tennis video link here
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 odetteb@pocklington-trust.org.uk
Latest Tennis Events
Blind & VI Tennis: Sutton 21 Feb
Metro B1 Tennis Camp!
Metro Tennis Tournament
Date: Sunday 17th February 2019 Time: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Venue: Islington Tennis Centre (ITC)Market Road, London N7 9PL
This event is open to current Metro members only aged 16+.
By popular demand, the day will consist of a B1 singles competition, a B2-B5 men’s doubles competition and a B2-B5 women’s doubles competition.
Closing Date for receipt of entries: Tuesday 5th February 2019
Registration: 9:45am to 10:15am in the upstairs Gallery. Play will start promptly at 10:30am and finish by 5pm. We have three courts booked; two will be set up for B2-B5 doubles, and one for B1 singles.
Trophies: Trophies will be presented in the upstairs Gallery at 5pm.
Cost: £5 per player payable on the day.
Entry Form: http://bit.ly/MBSTennisForm2019
Volunteers: Required
If you want to try volunteering for Blind tennis, please Contact: Linda Almond
Details: Metro Blind Sport’s annual club tournament is open to existing Metro members classified B1 – B5.
2019 Regional VI Tennis Tournaments
The dates for the next year’s 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.
- 02nd – 03rd March 2019 Loughborough Regional Tournament
- 06th – 07th April 2019 Cambridge Regional Tournament
- 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 Kirsty Thomson, Disability Competition Manager-Tournament Delivery Email: Kirsty.Thomson@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
- Mark Bullock Disability Tennis Co-ordinator 07496 029 539
Email: mark.bullock@middlesextennis.org.uk or Tel. 07496 029 539
Tennis Foundation Contacts -* until 2019
*please contact mark bullock above starting in Jan 2019 as The Tennis Foundation is becoming part of the Lawn Tennis Association in 2019
- Sam Perks is Disability Development Coordinator
Email:sam.perks@tennisfoundation.org.uk or Tel. 07961 267 942 - Kirsty Thompson is Disability Tournament Director.
Email: Kirsty.Thomson@tennisfoundation.org.uk or Tel. 0208 487 7068
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.
Read about the Metro Annual Tennis Tournament 2013 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/