The Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA) and the Arijah Children’s Foundation have enjoyed a strong partnership over the last few years. In an effort to build on this partnership, the ATA has started a new initiative to implement a year-round, comprehensive Wheelchair Tennis Program to provide personswith special needs an opportunity to play and grow in the sport of tennis. Wheelchair Tennis has been in existence for more than 40 years worldwide. It is one of the most dynamic and exciting sports at the Paralympic Games. It also has a professional circuit overseen by the International Tennis Federation.
Lake is currently in discussion with Mr. Jason Allen, Wheelchair Tennis and Technical Manager of the United States Tennis Association regarding the development of wheelchair tennis at the ATA. Mr. Allen works in tandem with Jason Harnett, National Manager and Coach for the USA in building grassroots programs as well as managing the professional and high performance players. Mr. Jason Allen reached out to the ATA’s CEO and President, Mr. Mitchelle Lake in order to assist indeveloping a tennis program for persons with special needs at the ATA.
Lake stated, “We at the ATA are excited about this initiative as it allows for everyone regardless of their physical circumstances to be given the opportunity to develop and enjoy the sport of tennis. I have no doubt that the students at the Arijah Children’sFoundation and others in the Anguillan community selected for the training sessions will benefit from this pilot program. “
The program will be launched on Saturday, December 3rd 2016 at 9:00am at the ATA. Initially, the free classes will continue every Saturday at 9:00am for a period of six months. Lake and his support team hope to garner the necessary funding to secure wheelchairs and equipment for the participants and to upgrade the facility with the necessary amenities including wheelchair ramps to accommodate the players. It is also the hope of the ATA that players from Anguilla will eventually compete in wheelchair tennis tournaments and look forward to the possibility of hosting such tournaments at the ATA in the future. The rules of wheelchair tennis and able-bodied tennis are the same, except for one rule; wheelchair tennis players get two bounces.
Renuka Harrigan, Founder of the Arijah Children’s Foundation commented, “We are excited that the Anguilla Tennis Academy is growing its vision to include tennis instruction for children with special needs and one day bring wheelchair tennis to Anguilla. The ATA currently hosts our annual LOVE Tennis Tournament in February to show their love by assisting us in raising funds which can be used to provide services to help children with special needs to develop their potential. We are grateful to the Anguilla Tennis Academy for embracing our vision of including children with special needs in all community activities and for their continued support year after year.”
Through his strategic partnership with personnel at the United States Tennis Association, Lake states that, “ATA coaches will receive the required training and assistance by way of materials and a webinar. Once the program is running consistently, officials and coaches from the USTA will visit Anguilla in an effort to follow up with the coaches and give additional training.”
Mr. Lake is also working with other tennis organizations in an effort to gain financial support for the wheelchair tennis program and its potential athletes.
