28 February 2022 | Tennis West

An advocate and leader for Blind and Low Vision Tennis opportunities in WA, Ian Ketteringham from Tennis Pro Services recently took on his latest endeavour—a social competition to support and celebrate all members of our diverse tennis community.

Led by Ian and the team at Tennis Pro Services, Nollamara Tennis Club ran an inaugural Half Day Blind and Low Vision (BLV) Tennis Social Competition at the end of January—the first of its kind in WA and an extension of the weekly term coaching program run by Tennis Pro Services. The main goal was to provide Blind and Low Vision athletes with the opportunity to experience structured match play in a competitive environment while also receiving coaching and advice on competition play.

Ian said the magnitude and significance of this event was deeply felt by all involved.

“Opening tennis up to all parts of the community is a key aspect of any successful coaching program,” Ian said.

“Blind and Low Vision athletes are one of the sectors that may have not had the opportunity to experience tennis before so events like this hold a lot of significance.”

“The enthusiasm of our players is very infectious and they continue to set the bar higher each time they step onto the court,” he added.

The off-court social interaction added to the enjoyment of the event, allowing participants to meet other players and share stories.

“Attempting something new is always a challenge but also very rewarding,” Ian said.

“We were so impressed by the standard of play, the joy of the participants and the respect they had for the occasion and their fellow competitors.”

With Tennis West’s encouragement, the support of Ben Rowe (Blind Sports WA Chairperson) and Tennis West’s Inclusion Lead Paula Gates, as well as Tennis Pro Services coaching team, Blind and Low Vision Tennis is showing many signs of growth in WA.

“Our primary goal is to see Blind and Low Vision Tennis grow throughout the Perth metro area and beyond,” Ian said.

“A national standard BLV Tennis event in Perth in the future would be excellent.”

Blind and Low Vision Tennis is played with sponge balls with a built-in rattle that are typically black or yellow in colour to contrast against both the court and the sky. Bounces are allowed, with the number changing according to the grade of the player’s vision impairment.

Accessibility and inclusiveness in tennis is growing both on and off the court, allowing more players and fans to be part of the sport. This year, new technology was used at the Australian Open 2022 to help blind and low vision fans follow all the action. Action Audio, created in partnership between AKQA, Tennis Australia and Monash University, turns spatial data from live sports into sound design principles, allowing blind and low vision audiences to experience the action in real time, and come to their own judgements about the game being played in front of them, rather than having scenes dictated to them via closed captions.

Inclusion means reflecting the diversity of our local communities and providing opportunities for everyone to be included and engaged through tennis in a way that is positive and meaningful as well as providing choice for people to participate in sport in a way that they feel comfortable.

The significance of inclusive opportunities is invaluable. For some, these experiences are an opportunity to gain independence and inclusion through sport. For others, it’s a pathway to representing Australia on a global stage.

To learn more about Blind and Low Vision Tennis in WA, click here.