For more on the free wheelchair program, contact Greiner at ustahelp@gmail.com or 404-353-4248.
Members of the Southern Crescent Tennis Association want everyone to have the chance to fall in love with the game of tennis. That includes grownups and kids in wheelchairs. The Peachtree City-based association is partnering with the United States Tennis Association to offer a free beginner wheelchair program. “Somebody in a wheelchair has the same need for competition and success as anyone else,” said Sharon Greiner, president of the Southern Crescent Tennis Association. “And we have the support of Peachtree City Tennis Center, a beautiful facility, and a passion for sharing tennis with everybody.”
Q: Can you talk about the benefits of wheelchair tennis program?
A: Any sport is going to give you a physical release. There are also the emotional benefits for the athletes we have worked with. One, in particular, was a veteran who was suicidal until he found out there is sport that he could be successful at.
Q: How did your tennis association get interested in the wheelchair program?
A: We have worked with Wounded Warriors and Veterans Affairs in the past. And wheelchair tennis is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the country. The USTA is supporting us in a big way through grant money.
Q: Do you have a particular interest for wheelchair tennis?
A: I am the daughter of a career Army officer. My brother is an active Marine. My interest began in working with wounded warriors and veterans and has grown to the bigger population of wheelchair athletes.
Q: Is your program primarily for military folks?
A: No. Youth is going to be a big focus going forward. We know we have to reach young people, to help them be active and find a sport where they are successful.
Q: How does the wheelchair program work?
A: No experience is necessary and we are open to all ages and genders. Most of the participants have some type of permanent lower body disability. We offer weekly sessions and have volunteers and at least two tennis pros at each session. Depending on who shows up that day, we could have players working on mobility or players playing a match.
Q: Are the rules different for wheelchair tennis?
A: Wheelchair players are allowed two bounces of the tennis ball, other than that, the rules are the same. The upper body strength of a person in a wheelchair is conducive to being able to move in a chair and swing a racket at the same time. It is incredible to watch. In fact, I met a tennis pro at Starbucks who had no experience with wheelchair tennis and invited him to come to a session. What he envisioned and what he participated in were two entirely different things.
Q: Do wheelchair athletes play singles, doubles, both?
A: It can be both. One of our goals is to create a tennis league called run/roll where you have an abled-body player participating with a wheelchair player.
Q: Does a wheelchair athlete need special equipment?
A: The rackets are the same. You don’t necessarily need a special wheelchair. A lot of athletes will have a sports chair where the wheels are angled for greater mobility. We have a number of these available for our participants. We also have participants who compete in power wheelchairs.
Q: Do you have to live in your area to participate?
A: We are open to anyone who wants to come. We understand that there are not necessarily quality wheelchair tennis programs readily available everywhere in the metro area. We want to be that quality program.
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