Inclusive tennis league unites players

Neil Rossiter says he plays well with someone who has full use of their legs

A tennis league has been set up in Lincolnshire where disabled and able-bodied people play together as doubles.

Wheelchair user Neil Rossiter set up the Wheelie Able Doubles Box League at Sleaford Tennis Club and they have played four fixtures during the winter in Louth, Grantham and Boston.

Mr Rossiter said it gave him "a hell of a buzz" to know he can keep up and play well with someone else who has full use of their legs.

He said there had been a lot of interest in the project and he was planning a spring league using mainly outdoor courts.

Some matches have been staged at Boston Tennis Club

The league pairs a disabled player with an able-bodied player as a doubles pair. They play by standard tennis rules.

Mr Rossiter said: "You're no different when you're on the court. In essence, we're just a tennis player and that's it.

"When people see us actually playing it, they tend to want to get involved, which is great."

Robert Ingram, who took part in his wheelchair, said he had enjoyed competing against an able-bodied player.

"You've got a chance of beating them," he said.

Luke Patten is able-bodied and said the league had given him an opportunity to meet players he would not otherwise have come across.

"I've met 15 wheelchair players and it's a really nice way to integrate everyone," he said.

Mr Rossiter hopes the idea will spread beyond Lincolnshire.

"I believe it should go national, and could possibly even go global," he said.

"It gives you just such a good feeling, knowing that you're part of the main community, the real world."

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