Trustee Anne Nicholls represented Middlesex Tennis as a volunteer at this month’s Wheelpower Sports Festival.
“Representing Middlesex Tennis at the WheelPower Sports Festival at Aspire Leisure Centre in Stanmore was a true privilege—made even more meaningful knowing this is where Mariam Ayeni discovered her passion for wheelchair tennis.
Alongside Mariam Ayeni (Team GB international wheelchair tennis player), Lily Mills (Level 1 coach and Special Olympics player), and Ben Whitley (parastanding player), together we coached five groups—two children’s and three adults’—inspiring them to embrace the game.
Like Mariam years before, many participants had come from the adjacent spinal unit, now finding themselves in wheelchairs. Despite varying levels of mobility and coordination, every player participated enthusiastically. We brought adaptive equipment ensuring everyone could be included.
The session was filled with joy as players learned to manoeuvre sports wheelchairs, following Mariam’s expert guidance on positioning for forehands and backhands, and enjoying tennis games together.
The most rewarding moment came at the end when numerous players shared their excitement—saying they’d truly enjoyed playing something they never imagined possible and were already searching for local clubs to join.
This is inclusion: providing people with confidence and opportunity to participate. Suddenly, it becomes about ability, not disability.”
Anne Nicholls
The Middlesex WheelPower Sports Festival is an inclusive event for anyone with a physical disability to discover sport in a safe, welcoming and friendly environment.
Join them and try a variety of wheelchair sports! If you have any questions regarding this event please give them a call on 01296 395995 or email the Sports team via [email protected]
