Bexley Mencap's Learning Disability tennis group are pleased to be back at the tennis club.
16 players attended the first session and the group will be playing on Monday mornings until the end of September.

Bexley Mencap are also helping to organise a LTA Matchplay event on 14th July at the club which will feature players from learning disability groups and day centres from across the borough….. Watch this Space!

Over 60 people with a learning disability as well as family, carers and friends, took part in a Bexley Matchplay Tennis Event supported by Kent Tennis and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) at Bexleyheath Tennis club on Tuesday 2nd September.

The event was organised by Bexley Disability Sports Network, and supported by Bexley Mencap, Re-Instate and NHS Oxleas. It was particularly pleasing to see so many players from local day centres such as Ken Boyce, Smerdon and Carlton, keen to play and practice with their friends from the wider learning disability community. The event even attracted out of borough players with a group of players from All Directions day centre in Dartford arriving early to join in the fun. Also present were the sports leads from Royal Mencap Society and Bexley Council.

Sponsored by Kent Tennis and the LTA, the event consisted of a series of special tennis challenges such as hitting the ball into hula hoops and knocking over cones as well as practising base line serving and lots of flowing rallies and eagerly contested matchplay points.

All four tennis courts were in constant use, as more experienced players like those at Bexley Mencap who play every week had the chance to show off their shots and skills, while beginners were able to receive special coaching and tips from members of the tennis club.

Josh Hayre, of Re-Instate and co-ordinator of Bexley Disability Sports Network said:
It's lovely to see what can be achieved through the Bexley Disability Sports Network when organisations come together. We ran another successful Bexley Matchplay Tennis event which was enjoyed by disabled people from all over the Borough. I had so many people asking if we could do this every week, so it's time to start planning the next one. A special shout out to Kent Tennis and the Lawn Tennis Association who made this possible through their funding and support on the day.’

Sharon Rodrigues of NHS Oxleas and Bexleyheath Tennis Club said:
‘Another great turnout to play tennis and how wonderful to see how so many have improved since last year especially as for some, it's their first time playing tennis tennis! What an amazing morning of tennis seeing everyone having a go and enjoying every moment!!’

Bexleyheath Tennis Club President, Claire O'Brien added:
‘It was an absolute pleasure for us in Bexleyheath tennis club to host the event today - it is so important that we work with organisations to ensure greater access to the wonderful game of tennis - it was such an enjoyable morning playing alongside everyone today - it was lovely to see all of our courts in use with some incredibly talented individuals in the group - we look forward to hosting future events.’

Vaness Oakes, Kent Tennis inclusion coach mentor, was similarly impressed.
'A huge thank you to all the fantastic organisations that came together to make the Bexley Matchplay Tennis Day such a success! Kent Tennis was thrilled to be part of this event, which was filled with smiles, laughter, and pure enjoyment. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was wonderful to see so many people having a great time on court.'

Vanessa kindly awarded new tennis racquets to two players who particularly impressed her with their enthusiasm and determination.

One of them. Safira, from Re-Instate, said: ‘I enjoyed playing tennis with my friends and meeting new people at the same time. It’s great to have a new racquet and I hope to play again very soon!’

Regular player, Sam, of Bexley Mencap, agreed saying; ‘It’s great to play with different players – some I’ve known for ages but we’ve never played tennis before.’

‘We are proud to support the LTA’s Open Court programme to make tennis more accessible and inclusive to everyone,’ said Nick Marsden, of Bexley Mencap, who led the coaching on the day.
‘It was great to welcome back players from June’s Sports Day, keen to practice more skills as well as new members who haven’t had the chance to play much tennis before.’

Taking part in regular sports and keep fit activities like tennis is an important factor in improving the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability as well as helping with building confidence and developing friendships and social skills.

Everybody who took part received Tennis certificates and medals.

Bexley Mencap’s tennis group were featured as part of a Special Sports & Information Day for National Learning Disability Awareness Week, held at Bexleyheath Sports Club. Over 100 people with a learning disability, carers and supporters, took part in the multi-sport event which also included football from Charlton Athletic, rugby from Gravesend RFC, boccia from Bexley Dodgers and boxing…….. Read More

Bexley Mencap's Learning Disability Tennis group is delighted to be back at Bexleyheath tennis club for the 4th year in a row now!

The tennis group have been playing soft ball tennis indoors at a local sports club during the winter to keep up their skills.

Nick Marsden, Bexley Mencap's Tennis Lead, said;
'It great to be back outdoors playing at such a friendly and supportive club with whom we have developed such close ties throughout the years.'

The club will again also be hosting Bexley's Learning Disability Sports and Awareness Day next month on 17th June and we look forward to attracting the wider local disability community to take part in a range of all inclusive sports and activities as well encouraging new players to take up playing tennis.

Wimbledon may have just finished but over 40 people with a learning disability took part in a special LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) Matchplay event at Bexleyheath Tennis club on Tuesday 16th July.

The event was organised by Bexley Sports Disability Network, and led by Bexley Mencap. There were players from a number of local disability groups such as Bexley Mencap and Reinstate as well as day centres, supported living and care homes.

Sponsored by the LTA, the event consisted of a series of tennis challenges such as serving and a mini rally points competition.

There was also a chance for players new to the game to receive special coaching and tips from members of the tennis club.

Dave Williams, chair of the club said:

‘We are proud to support the LTA’s Open Court programme to make tennis more accessible and inclusive to everyone. It’s great to see Bexley Mencap players practising every week at the club in the summer and autumn and everyone who took part was so enthusiastic. Many of the serves were definitely aces!’

‘All the players responded so well to the special tennis challenges and forehand and backhand shot exercises’ said Nick Marsden of Bexley Mencap. ‘There was a lot of healthy competition during many of the rallies. It was great to welcome back players from last month’s Sports Day, keen to practice more skills as well as new members who haven’t had the chance to play much tennis before.’

Josh Hayre, of Bexley Sports Disability Network and Reinstate said:

‘It’s the first time the Network has put on a borough wide event and partnered with local organisations and the LTA to celebrate the sporting achievements and abilities of people with a learning disability.’

Everybody who took part received LTA team challenge certificates, wristbands and medals.

Bexley Mencap’s tennis group were featured as part of a Special Sports & Information Day for National Learning Disability Awareness Week. Around 100 people with a learning disability and carers took part in the event which also included football from Bromley Skills Academy and Kent Cricket.

As ever Tennis was very popular with both courts full of enthusiastic players. Mencap members and staff helped coach newcomers with a range of skills based exercises such as juggling and balancing as well as help in learning how to serve. Several players needed no help at all in playing rallies over the net immediately. Others were fast learners and soon picked up the basic hand and eye co-ordination skills required. Just as importantly, everyone seemed to having fun and enjoying themselves.

The overall event was organised by Sharon Rodrigues, from Oxleas NHS Adult Learning Disability Service.
Sharon said: ‘It was great to see so many people at the event. The day is all about enabling people with a learning disability and their carers to meet each other and our learning disability teams so that they can keep well in the community. All the sporting activities were well attended especially the tennis and gave people a chance to play sports they might not have tried before.’

Nick Marsden Bexley Mencap’s Tennis Coach said: ‘Great effort from all the players. It’s always fantastic to see such enthusiasm and by the end of the session, several of the players had mastered the basic technique of serving and returning and trying different shots. I hope everyone had a smashing time!’

Next month on 16th July with other local partners, Bexley Mencap is helping to organise a special LTA Matchplay tennis event. This will be another chance for players to demonstrate their skills and have more tennis coaching in a friendly and supportive setting at the club.

Bexleyheath Mencap’s Tennis Group are delighted to be back playing outdoors again! After a winter and spring playing soft ball tennis and multi sports indoors at a local Sports Hall, the group had their first practice at the club today and are now booked every Monday until the end of September.

Bexley Mencap’s tennis group were Kent LTA County Best Tennis Disability Programme winners in 2022 and were Highly Commended at Regional level. Several players have also taken part in LTA Regional Disability competitions at the Bromley Tennis Centre.

In addition to weekly practice, Bexley Mencap will also be showcasing tennis for a Sports Day event on 18th June at the club as part of National Learning Disability Awareness week. And we’ll also be holding a special Matchplay event with the club later in July.

So watch this space, for a summer of all-inclusive tennis activities.

6 members of Bexley Mencap’s tennis group played in the LTA’s Regional Learning Disability tournament at Bromley Tennis Centre on 28 October.

It was the first time we had ever entered a competitive tournament so it was a steep learning curve for all of us. Special congratulations to Stef who reached the semi-finals in the green ball event and Rob, (yellow ball) who exchanged rallies with an experienced opponent who has represented GB at tennis events overseas.

Bexley Mencap’s tennis group showcased their skills as part of a special Sports Day for Learning Disability Week. Over 60 people with a learning disability took part in the event which featured boxing, judo and football as well as tennis.

It was great to see so many people enjoying trying out the different sports on offer. Lots of people had a go at tennis who had not played before or for a long time. Members of the group were very good at encouraging newcomers to play and practised different ball skills with them. Several players are now keen to join the tennis group.

The overall event was organised by Sharon Rodrigues, from Oxleas NHS Adult Learning Disability Service. Sharon is also a Bexleyheath Tennis club player

Sharon said ‘the main focus of day is to enable people with learning disabilities to meet each other, try different activities and meet our learning disability teams to enable them to keep well in the community and know who to contact in times of crisis. It was great to see so many taking part in the Mencap tennis group and great to see how well they are all playing.’

Bexley Mencap’s Learning Disability Tennis group resumed playing outdoors this week. The Tennis group, which won Kent LTA’s Best Disability Tennis award in 2021, is now back playing at the club for the third year.

Nick Marsden, who leads the group said: ‘It’s great to be playing again at the club. During the winter we’ve been playing indoors in a local youth centre and new members have joined. We’re looking forward this summer to playing in the sun, practising our favourite shots and having fun with our friends at the same time.’