Year: 2010 – Ongoing
Passion
Access to sport and education can have a real, lasting effect on people’s lives. When opportunities exist, people gain confidence, develop skills and connect with their communities. When those opportunities are missing, barriers quickly appear- particularly for people living with disabilities.
Sport has always been central to the story of the Adderstone Foundation. Our founder, Ian Baggett, is a lifelong tennis player and former county champion who has long believed in the power of sport to open doors, build resilience and bring people together.
Action
In 2010, that belief led the Foundation to help establish the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club (NEVITC), an initiative designed to make tennis accessible for blind and visually impaired people of all ages.
Visually impaired tennis adapts the sport using specially designed sound balls, additional bounces and modified court sizes. These adaptations allow players to track the ball by sound and continue playing competitively. With the Foundation’s early support, NEVITC began offering coaching sessions, training opportunities and community events that welcomed new players into the sport.
Impact
What began as a local initiative has grown into the largest and most successful visually impaired tennis club in the UK.
Today, NEVITC provides regular coaching, tournaments and social opportunities for players across the region. Many participants travel nationally to compete, while others simply enjoy the chance to play sport in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Beyond the court, the club has created a strong community where players build confidence, friendships and independence- proving that when barriers are removed, opportunity follows.
