The Development of Blind Tennis
Ayako Matsui, International Blind Tennis Association, sent the information below to the International Tennis Federation. Thank you to all who continue to make tennis available to individuals who are visually impaired or blind and to promote the game. To learn how you can establish and promote tennis in your country or local community, contact Ayako Matsui, email hidden; JavaScript is required. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayako.matsui.583#!/groups/129804027216963/
| Country | Contact | Players | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Eduardo Raffetto email hidden; JavaScript is required www.tenisparaciegos.com.ar/ |
22 children 6 adults |
Development Tennis in Buenos Aires is a new program in Argentina Promotes the program in Argentina and other countries [Mexico and U.S. (McAllen, TX)] 22 children, 7-14 years of age, and six adults Good response from the people concerned, but need support from national institutions and sponsors All program expenses covered by the academy Working with U.S., Mèxico, and Mrs. Lolina Fernàndez (Eyes of Hope Foundation) to organize the first meeting of all countries involved in the growth and promotion of Blind Tennis, to be held in February 2014, in McAllen, Texas, USA |
| Australia | Blind Sports Victoria Maurice Green email hidden; JavaScript is required |
18 | Has an 18 week blind and vision impaired tennis program, held in three lots of 6 weeks, at the Melbourne Park Indoor Tennis Centre (on three indoor courts) Supported by Tennis Seniors Victoria and Tennis Victoria Have up to 18 players, varying from 18 years of age to 60 plus, and 12 volunteers who help with coaching and assisting players |
| Bahamas | Philippe Azar email hidden; JavaScript is required |
17 | Started in December 2012 at the national school for the blind 17 children participate on a weekly basis in organized clinics |
| Canada | Tim Moon email hidden; JavaScript is required |
15-20 | In Toronto |
| China | Demonstration (Tianjin 2009) (Shanghai 2010) (Xuzhou 2011) | ||
| England | Tennis Foundation http://metroblindsport.org/index.php?pageid=9 VI Tennis UK |
Demonstration in 2007 200 Facebook members |
|
| Finland | Finnish Sports Association of Persons with Disabilities | Sent 24 balls in 2011 | |
| Japan | Japan Blind Tennis Federation Gentaro Katsurada email hidden; JavaScript is required |
350 | Invented by Miyoshi Takei in 1984 National Tournament started in 1990 |
| Korea | Korean Blind Tennis Association | Demonstration in 2007 Played at all schools for children with visual impairment and blindness Tournament is held every year Japanese and Chinese players joined in 2012 and 2013 |
|
| Lebanon | Mr. Sleiman Jaber Lebanese School for the Blind and Deaf |
Sent 30 balls in 2010 | |
| Mexico | Eyes of Hope Miradas de Esperanza www.miradasdeesperanza.org.mx Mrs. Lolina Uribe Garza Fernandez |
Started in May, 2013 Plan to have approximately 50 children and young adults training in Mexico by September Nuevo Leon and Victoria Tamaulipas begin training in Monterrey in September, with approximately 20 children Negotiating with Mexico City to start tennis there Videos with Miradas de Esperanza Children training: http://vimeo.com/66373593 http://knvotv48.com/noticias/clinica-deportiva-para-ninos-discapasitados |
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| New Zealand | Shireen Ali Manager Equipment Services Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind |
Sent 48 balls in 2010 | |
| Philippines | Lauro Purcil email hidden; JavaScript is required |
6 | Have six trained players; training started through a parents organization Professor Maripres Pascua of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines helps in the promotion |
| Russia | Demonstration in Moscow, 2011 | ||
| Singapore | Soundball Singapore Kenneth Ng email hidden; JavaScript is required |
14 | 20 volunteers Plans to expand into VI schools and create a program for children in 2014 Two separate sessions; 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs per session, held once a week Target – to hold local tournament in 2014 |
| South Africa | Manager Wheelchair Tennis SA Karen Losch email hidden; JavaScript is required |
Bought approximately 3,600 balls from Japan | |
| Spain | Fernando Ortega email hidden; JavaScript is required |
Training is going to be experimental (five adults and five children) with plans for a weekly program of 2 days a week Goal – to create good players and show others that it is possible to play tennis without sight Exhibition planned for December 28, 2013 |
|
| Taiwan | Demonstration 2008 | ||
| USA | American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. Tristan Pierce email hidden; JavaScript is required archive.aph.org/pe/products.html |
Sold 1,580 30-Love Tennis Kits [six balls, two rackets, two blindfolds, guidebook (large print and braille)] and 492 replacement balls. | |
| USA | Eyes of Hope Miradas de Esperanza Lolina Fernandez email hidden; JavaScript is required |
McAllen, TX (See Mexico) | |
| USA | Tennis Serves Sejal Vallabh email hidden; JavaScript is required |
60-70 | Student run organization Programs in Boston, New York, and California |
| Vietnam | Blind School | Sent 30 balls in 2010 |
