Game, set and match to Conor

It’s advantage Conor thanks to a brand new sports wheelchair.

And with his smashing new set of lightweight wheels, this inspirational youngster could become the poster boy for the development of wheelchair tennis in the south.

Conor Simpson, aged five, from Aghada in Co Cork, picked up a tennis racket just a few months ago.

But he’s taken to the game so well that head coach at Lower Aghada Tennis Club, Mike Lehane, has now decided to offer coaching to other wheelchair users.

“Wheelchair tennis has been developed, mostly at adult level in Leinster and Ulster, but less so in Munster and Connacht,” he said.

“I’m hoping that Conor will encourage other wheelchair users in Munster, young and old, to get involved in the sport.

“This is a whole new venture for me — coaching kids in wheelchairs. I was delighted when Conor started and I’m hoping now that he will be an inspiration to others.”

Conor was born with Spina Bifada and Hydracephalus and is paralysed from the knees down. He has been using a wheelchair since he was three.

He used to go to the club every week with his parents, Eileen and Greg, to drop his big sister Ciara, aged seven, off for training, and he would watch her play. Mike spotted him and approached Eileen to ask if he’d like to give tennis a go. “He couldn’t have been more helpful. Conor thinks the world of him,” Eileen said.

Mike spent several weeks giving the youngster one-to-one coaching sessions, teaching him the basics of the game. But Conor showed so much promise he has now joined the under-eight coaching group.

Mike also sourced a lightweight sports wheelchair from the Irish Wheelchair Association for Conor and it was presented to him yesterday.

Eileen said getting involved in the sport has helped improve her son’s coordination and confidence. “He’s at the age where he wants to be involved with what the other kids are doing. Inclusion is the important thing,” she said. “Mike treats him just like every other player — which is great.”

She encouraged the parents of children who use wheelchairs to approach their local sports clubs to see if they can include their kids in the various sporting activities. “It’s not difficult to get involved. It’s just an attitude change. You can get over everything,” she said.

Wheelchair tennis was established in 1976 by Brad Parks.

It can be played on any regular tennis court, with no modifications to rackets or tennis balls.

Games can be played between able-bodied players and wheelchair users.

Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as able-bodied tennis, with one exception — a wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball on his side of the court.

Lower Aghada Tennis Club will host an open day from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday, Feb 17, for anyone interested in wheelchair tennis, and the other coaching options available at the club.