Alfie Hewett launches Get In And Go
Alfie Hewett OBE, world number one wheelchair tennis player has today launched Get In And Go a national initiative bringing wheelchair activity into schools, clubs and holiday camps across the UK.
From the age of six, wheelchair tennis gave Alfie Hewett a way back into movement and activity, and, in time, a career, an identity, 35 Grand Slams and 5 Paralympic medals to date. Today, one of Britain's greatest wheelchair tennis players is opening that same route to thousands of children who don't currently get the chance to find or try it.
Launching in the 50th anniversary year of wheelchair tennis, Get In And Go is a nationwide initiative that gives schools, clubs and holiday camps access to entry-level sports wheelchairs on short-term hire. The aim is to solve problems Alfie has always highlighted; cost, storage and maintenance. Problems that have been constant barriers and kept wheelchair sport out of reach for most young people and the general public.
These aren't the highly specialised chairs used by elite wheelchair athletes, they're entry-level by design. Simple to get in and out of, stackable for easy storage, and built for ages 8 and over, so a child can be up and playing within minutes rather than needing weeks of practice first.
The initiative is designed for every child, not just those with a disability. Disabled and non-disabled children can take part side by side. A key benefit is building non-disabled children's understanding of ability and breaking down barriers between disabled and non-disabled children, while being clear that a short session in a chair isn't the same as living as a wheelchair user every day.
It's still a valuable, respectful way for non-disabled children to engage. For disabled children, it's a PE session where they're not on the sidelines, but fully integrated and taking the lead.
Importantly, and often without knowing it, every session encourages physical activity, boosts wellbeing, skill development, and social skills through teamwork. It also aims to provide a way to challenge stereotypes and stimulate a wider shift in how disability and sport integrate. Beyond opening access, Alfie's ambition is to grow awareness of wheelchair tennis and bring new fans to the sport it's built on.
Chairs will be delivered and collected, with supporting coaching material available from accredited LTA pathway coaches. Launching the scheme Alfie Hewett said:
"This is an opportunity to create something greater than the obvious by bringing wheelchair engagement to the masses: not only wheelchair tennis, or tennis, but sport in general for kids. If we get this right, not only will we improve the opportunities for kids in their sport and development, but we'll also find, influence and engage the wheelchair sport fans of the future."
To find out more visit the Get In and Go website.
