NEWS RELEASE
9 November 2015
THE SHREWS WIN FIRST EVER NATIONAL RECREATIONAL WHEELCHAIR TENNIS COMPETITION
After a thrilling weekend of Finals matches, The Shrews took the title of overall winners of the inaugural Dan Maskell Tennis Team Finals, the UK’s first ever national recreational wheelchair tennis competition, held at the Oxstalls Tennis Centre in Gloucester.
Competing against teams from around the UK, The Shrews from The Shrewsbury Club, one of two teams representing the Midlands in the Finals, entered a team of six singles players and two doubles teams. Equal on overall points with the runners up, Team Wales, The Shrews were awarded the title on countback of overall games won in the Finals of both the singles and doubles events. Loughborough Legends were placed third.
The Shrews were represented by Kevin Drake, Sam Eardley, Val Fisher, Craig Nicholson, Scott Smith and Deena Webster in the Singles competition; Sam, Val, Craig, Deena and Scott made up the Doubles teams.
Funded and organised by The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and supported by The Tennis Foundation, the event is the first of its kind in the UK to encourage recreational wheelchair tennis players to take part in a national competition. Open to male and female players aged over 14, more than 60 players took part over the last four months, representing teams from England and Wales, with over 70 rubbers played.
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Gilly English, Executive Director of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust said, “Recreational wheelchair tennis players have been looking for a competitive event like this for some time and we are delighted the pilot has been such a success. We hope to extend the wheelchair tennis event and develop the format for other disabilities.”
The Tennis Foundation’s Disability Tournament Manager, Liz Terry said, “The Dan Maskell Team Tennis pilot has been a great opportunity for recreational wheelchair players to try out playing in a competition but to do so in a friendly team environment. We are excited to develop this concept further in the future and greatly appreciate the hard work of the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust getting this format up and running.”
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Notes to Editors:
Dan Maskell Tennis Trust:
1 The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust is a tennis charity (charity number 1133589) raising fundsfor people with
disabilities. Formed in 1997 and named after the late Dan Maskell “the voice of Wimbledon”, the Trust
grant aids individuals, disability groups and programmes, clubs, schools and associations to help with the
purchase of wheelchairs, tennis equipment and grants for coaching.
2 For more information visit
3 Follow us on Twitter: @DanMaskellTrust
Like us on Facebook: DanMaskellTennisTrust
Contact: Gill Perkins on 07850 319359
Tennis Foundation
• The Tennis Foundation is Great Britain's leading tennis charity and our vision is a sport which is inclusive and accessible to every kind of community.
• In partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association, we’re promoting tennis as an inclusive sport across a wide range of disabilities.
• We’re supporting over 140 venues across the country with training, resources and financial backing to improve opportunities for disabled people to play tennis in their area.
• We’re delivering world class tennis events for disabled players.
• We’re identifying and developing the most talented players and delivering a world class performance programme for our most promising players.
• Tickets are also now on sale for the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from December 2 - 6:
• Find out more on the Tennis Foundation website:
• Follow the Tennis Foundation on Twitter: @Tennisfndation and Like us on Facebook: TennisFoundation1
Contact: Bethany Shine, Communications Assistant M: 07983613063
President: Elaine Paige OBE
Past President: John Barrett MBE
Vice-Presidents: Mrs. Robin Maskell-Charlton, Andrew Castle, Margaret-Mary Cochrane, Mark Cox MBE, Dave Green,
Tim Henman OBE, Sir Geoff Hurst, Greg Rusedski, Sam Smith, Virginia Wade OBE, Jeff Wayne