Identifying and developing the next generation of talented Deaf Tennis players across the UK

We have recently been contacted by Catherine Fletcher, National Deaf Tennis Coach at the LTA.

She has written to us to introduce a new national initiative focused on identifying and developing the next generation of talented Deaf tennis players across the UK.

If you have an interest and/ or know any junior players with hearing impairment in the county, please read on…

My name is Catherine Fletcher, LTA National Deaf Tennis Coach since 2013 and a 7-time Deaflympian (5 as a player, 2 as a coach). With over 15 years of international playing experience and as someone who is profoundly deaf, I am deeply passionate about creating opportunities for deaf players to thrive in tennis.

We are launching the Deaf Tennis Junior Programme, which will include regional roadshows and a UK Deaf Tennis Festival Weekend. The aim is to identify young players with strong potential who meet the hearing loss criteria for international Deaf competition.

We would greatly appreciate your support in identifying players within your county who:

Have a diagnosed hearing loss
Are currently playing at club, county, or performance level
Would benefit from additional development opportunities

While our focus is on ages 5–18, we welcome recommendations for players of any age.

Identified players will have opportunities to attend national training camps, and festival events, with a pathway towards international Deaf tennis competition.

The first event will be:

Saturday 20th June: 11am – 2pm at Loughborough University.

If you are aware of any suitable players within your programmes, clubs, or schools, please share their details or connect us with the relevant coach. For recommendations or to discuss the programme further, please contact me at [email protected].

Thank you for your support in helping us grow the future of Deaf tennis in Great Britain.

Best wishes,

Catherine

Catherine Fletcher

National Deaf Coach

+447931253358