Blind and Low Vision Tennis
Tennis South Australia is committed to providing opportunities to play for all participants, including those who are Blind and Vision Impaired. Modified equipment such as tactile lines, smaller racquets, bells with a bell and smaller court dimensions are utilized in Blind Tennis to ensure participants can engage in our great game.
With one of the biggest BLV Tennis programs in Australia, Somerton Park coach Nick Bradley has been leading the space for many years, providing opportunities for juniors and seniors. Offerings include the opportunity to represent South Australia and even Australia.
Tennis South Australia is fortunate to have a very strong relationship with the South Australian School for Vision Impaired. This is showcased through yearly programs, culminating to a full day of tennis activities and incorporating one of the worlds first junior tournaments for BLV athletes. This relationship is further evident with the South Australian School for Vision Impaired winning the award for Most Outstanding School in 2020 on the back of their strong program and links to Somerton Park Tennis Club.
Take a look at the current Blind and Low Vision Tennis Pathway here.
View the flyer on Blind and Low Vision Tennis here
Eligibility
There are 4 classifications/categories of Blind and Low Vision Tennis:
Classification | Eligibility criteria | Tennis Australia events |
B1 | Visual acuity poorer than LogMAR 2.60 |
|
B2 | Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) | |
B3 | Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.0 to 1.40 (inclusive) OR visual fields less than 10 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5 (B4) | |
B4 | Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 0.5 to 0.9 (inclusive) OR visual fields less than 40 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5. |
Where can I play?
Somerton Park Tennis Club hosts Blind Tennis sessions which is a fantastic way for adults and kids who are blind or have low vision to experience the game of tennis. Participants use audible tennis balls on modified courts, play with smaller racquets and follow rules that are relaxed for fun and enjoyment.
Junior Training Session: Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 4:45pm
Open Training Session: Tuesdays from 6:15pm -7:15pm
Contact Nick Bradley: [email protected]
Hope Valley Tennis Club have recently introduced a Blind and Low Vision Tennis Program in conjunction with Nick Bradley to work with the existing program and provide more opportunities to participants across the metropolitan area.
Term 1 2024
Junior Training Session: Mondays from 4:00pm – 4:45pm
Open Training Session: Mondays from 4:45pm – 5:30pm
Contact Josh Crowe: [email protected]
Blind and Low Vision Tennis League
Tennis SA are proud to announce the debut of an unprecedented sporting initiative, the Blind and Low Vision Tennis League, set to broaden local competitive play opportunities.
With a commitment to expanding diversity and competitive play opportunities in the sport, Tennis SA unveiled this pioneering league in 2024, with the first season offering regular match play for 17 players aged between 14 to 58 across various sport classes and abilities.
The season launched with a welcome event and activities to announce teams, followed by six weeks of minor round weekly matches and two weeks of finals. The players were grouped into four teams, each named after animals with a vision impairment: the Blue Bison’s, Green Giant Panda’s, Purple Possum’s, and Red Rhino’s.
To view the results of the 2024 competition, please click here.
If you are interested to hear more about the 2025 Blind and Low Vision Tennis League, please contact Jack Crispin, Metro School Development Coordinator:
P: 0466 526 618
For further information on the league, you can view the league guide here.