Comedian Adam Hills hosts para-standing tennis event in Warrington

Para-standing tennis has been created to open tennis up to people who previously did not have access to the sport.

Before para-standing tennis, there had only been opportunities within the sport for those in wheelchairs and those who were fully able-bodied.

Team GB Paralympic wheelchair basketball athlete Robyn Love was also at the event, at David Lloyd in Great Sankey, and shared her experience in sports.

She said: “Growing up, I didn’t even know that disability-sport existed, and now they’re creating new ones in 2024.”

This new format aims to make tennis a fully inclusive sport.

Adam Hills, the presenter of the TV show The Last Leg and a leg amputee himself, shared his insight into how para-standing tennis has opened doors for people with disabilities.

The Australian, who is also a player for Wire’s PDRL team, said: “There are four or five categories depending on your disability, so there’s a way in.

Adam Hills talks to participants of the event

“It doesn’t matter what level you are at, there is a level for you.”

More than 50 people were at the event which started with warm-ups and separated into competitive team matches across multiple courts.

Those present also had the opportunity to play against Adam – something which many of the younger ones present were very keen to do.

The comedian, and long-time collaborator with Warrington Wolves, was beaming with pride as he looked around at all the people at the event.

He said: “There was a moment when I stopped and looked around, and I saw four courts full of people, all with smiles, all with different abilities.

“There were people that were discovering tennis for the first time, people with disabilities discovering that there was tennis for them – it was joyous.”

Sue Taylor of Lusu Sports, an organisation which aims to help children with disabilities through inclusive sports, coached the event.

She commented: “To see everybody interacting has been a real joy.”

Adam Hills with Sue Taylor of Lusu Sports

The overarching theme of the event was that the sport’s doors are open to everyone of all ages, abilities and levels.

From wheelchair users to learning disabilities to para-standing, it is available as a social activity and a competitive sport.

Robyn was highly encouraging of people who want to have a go, and if they feel they might not be good enough, she said: “Just do it.

“Just sign up, click that button, send that e-mail, send that Instagram message – whatever it is, get in contact. Whatever sport it is, you will love it.”

Ben Stiff, of Warrington Wolves Community foundation added: ““Events like these really highlight how important inclusion is, not just in sport, but across all walks of life.

“The foundation is always looking for new opportunities to bring people together and promote our core values.

“We want to thank all the people who came down, the new faces and the familiar ones from across our programmes.

“Without the support of Adam, the Lawn Tennis Association and the staff at David Lloyd, it would not have been possible.”