A TENNIS club in Bournemouth has received praise for its comprehensive disability programme, ensuring access for “everyone”.

The Southbourne Tennis Club programme is tailored for wheelchair users and people living with Down’s Syndrome, visual impairments, mobility limitations and learning disabilities.

The coaching team delivers tennis to more than 100 disabled people each month.

Head coach Dave Sanger, who has led the development of the club’s disability programme since 2012, was the regional winner of the LTA Disability Award in 2016 and again in 2020.

He said: “At Southbourne Tennis Club we celebrate everyone’s achievements, whether they are a complete beginner, county level player or improving their skills in a different format of the game such as wheelchair tennis or walking tennis.

“Everyone can enjoy tennis, but clubs, committees and coaches need to break down barriers to participation to enable this.

He added: “We are proud of Southbourne’s disability programme which continues to thrive through fundraising, grants, understanding individual needs and working with local and national partners and charities.”

Every year, between £3k-5k external funding is raised to enhance the disability programme for more players of various ages. The activity delivered by the club is part of the LTA’s Open Court programme.

Formed in 1965 from the amalgamation of two local clubs, Southbourne Tennis Club won the ‘Dorset LTA Club of the Year’ for 2021.