Binfield Tennis Club recently hosted two former professional players as part of their Davis Cup Day event, offering members the unique opportunity to challenge these ex-pros on the court.
The event, organized by the club’s head coach, Trevor Kotchie, also functioned as a fundraiser for the launch of the ‘I Play 30’ initiative. This new program is led by former British Davis Cup players Danny Sapsford and James Auckland, who have strong ties to the club. The initiative, led through Danny Sapsford’s charity, Bright Ideas for Tennis, is focused on promoting inclusive tennis opportunities for individuals, particularly children, with learning, sensory, and physical disabilities.
Binfield Tennis Club has been chosen to participate in the I Play 30 inclusive tennis programme, which aims to provide increased access to tennis for a more diverse range of participants. In partnership with King’s Academy, the club will be arranging weekly sessions, facilitated by volunteers and the club’s coaching team, in the coming months. The main goal of these sessions is to encourage young people with special educational needs to participate in at least 30 minutes of tennis each week. These sessions will be offered free of charge, in an effort to make the sport more accessible to all community members.
In addition to on-court activities, funds were raised through various off-court initiatives, including a BBQ, raffle, and cake sale, which together raised an impressive £900. Club co-Chair, John Pascoe, expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in the fundraising efforts, emphasizing the strong sense of community spirit evident throughout the event. He stated, “It was a tremendous effort for a small community club, with the emphasis on community.”
For those interested in joining the thriving tennis community at Binfield Tennis Club, information regarding membership can be found on their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/binfield.tennis.club/
The Davis Cup Day event at Binfield Tennis Club not only provided its members with a unique and exciting opportunity to challenge former professional players, but also served as a platform to raise awareness and support for the ‘I Play 30’ initiative. The success of the event, both on and off the court, exemplifies the strong sense of community and inclusivity that the club embodies.