Meet Linda our Amazing Volunteer Tennis Coordinator!
Linda Almond is a dedicated volunteer for Metro Blind Sport and has been supporting people with sight loss to access and enjoy weekly tennis sessions since 2011.
original article by Sarah Anderson
Linda first discovered her love of tennis 20 years ago when she started playing for a local team. One day, she attended the Blind Tennis Championships in Roehampton where she met Roy Smith, Director of Metro Blind Sport, and happened to say “if you are ever in Islington and need a hand” which is where Linda’s volunteering journey began.
Linda enjoys an active and varied volunteering role at the Islington Tennis Centre where people with varying degrees of sight loss learn how to play tennis, some progressing on to compete in tournaments.
Linda says that she finds the players’ attitudes to life inspirational and she really enjoys seeing people develop and progress in the sport. “I am very proud of those players who progress on to do well in tournaments but equally as proud of those who just come along to play,” Linda said.
It is clear that Linda loves her volunteering role and the players really appreciate her time, enthusiasm and commitment.
One player travels from Leeds every week just to attend the tennis sessions. Linda sets out the tactile lines so vision impaired people can feel the court, she supports players to familiarise with the environment, teaches new players the rules and keeps score, but most of all Linda collects an awful lot of tennis balls!
You can view photos from a session at the Islington Tennis Centre on our gallery here Islington – Tennis Gallery
All from Metro wish to thank Linda for her invaluable help as Volunteer Tennis Coordinator and all her tennis committee work! It is Linda who keeps the practice sessions running smoothly with the help of her team of amazing volunteers she has recruited, thank you so much to all!
To find out how you can become a volunteer with Thomas Pocklington Trust and help make a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page.
You can read more Thomas Pocklington Trust Volunteer Stories here: http://bit.ly/2eSxgaw
