WHEELCHAIR TENNIS - ITF SILVER FUND (INDIA)
Helping People Achieve their Potential

International Tennis Federation (ITF) today celebrated its 25th anniversary of Wheelchair Tennis. Since its inception as an organized sport in 1976 Wheelchair Tennis has become one of the fastest growing and most thrilling of all wheelchair sports. On 01st January 1998 wheelchair tennis made a huge step forward by becoming fully integrated into the International Tennis Federation. In doing so it became the first disability sport to achieve such a partnership with an international governing body.

On this proud and emotional occasion the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has introduced the 'Wheelchair Tennis Silver Fund' programme in India. The aimed of programme is to help introduce Wheelchair Tennis in various developing countries by providing wheelchairs and tennis equipment. Tennis is a perfect sport for the disabled to re-integrate them back into society. The game could help improve the quality of life of Men, Women and Children with a disability, but would also build up their self-confidence and help them gain respect in the community.

The programme was launched at R.K. Khanna Tennis Stadium, New Delhi at 11.30 AM onwards. Mr. Arvinder Singh Lovely State Education & Sports Minister was the chief guest of the event. Mr. Anil Dhuppar - Guest of Honour, Mr. John Noakes - coach and Mr. Jayant Mistry - player were also present.

Mr. John Noakes a Wheelchair Tennis expert and Mr. Jayant Mistry, a top ten world player and British No. 1, would be in India and conducting various activities and workshops at the different cities for a period of four weeks and two weeks respectively.

The activities of the experts at various cities will include: -

Conducting Wheelchair tennis clinics for current and future Wheelchair Tennis players in various regions.
· Visiting schools for children with a disability, including clinics and exhibitions in every region.
· Visiting rehabilitation centers, including giving clinics and exhibitions in every region.
· Conduct coaches' workshops for able-bodied coaches, players and other interested parties in every region.
· Lecture physiotherapists and students in every region.
· Meeting press & TV
· Meeting voluntary bodies e.g. Rotary Club, Lion's Club etc

The cities chosen are as follows:-

1. Delhi : 03rd to 07th Dec. 04 & 28th to 30th Dec. 2004
2. Mumbai : 08th to 12th Dec. 04 & 24th to 27th Dec. 2004
3. Chennai : 13th to 17th Dec. 2004
4. Bangalore : 18th to 23rd Dec. 2004

Wheelchair Tennis - Player Biography

JAYANT MISTRY (GBR)

Birth Date : 29th Aug 1966
Birth Place : Leicester, Great Britain
Residence : Leicestershire
Nationality : Great Britain
Weight : 46 Kg
Plays : Right Handed
Favourite Surface : Hard
Coach : Stuart Wilkinson
Age Began WCT : 19

Played before Accident : No
Wheelchair Manufacture : Cyclone
Personal Interests : Travelling, Basketball

Rankings

Current Singles Ranking : 9
Highest Singles Ranking : 8 (14 Aug 2000)
Current Doubles : 7
Highest Doubles Ranking : 2 (27 May 2002)

Year end Rankings

Singles : 2003 - 9, 2002 -9, 2001 - 9, 2000 - 8,1999 - 14,1998 - 11, 1997 - 10, 1996 - 15, 1995 - 21, 1994 - 22, 1993 - 32
Doubles : 2003 - 6, 2002 -5, 2001 - 6, 2000 - 8,1999 - 9, 1998 - 9, 1997 - 9, 1996 - 27, 1995 - 16

Wheelchair Tennis

JOHN NOAKES

· 58 years old
· British nationality, but Dutch and British tennis nationality, British Part I and II Coach recognized by British LTA; USPTR Professional Coach recognized by USTA
· 1960's: Two degrees in History from London University
· 1970's: worked as accountant by with a top 50 English company and run a tennis school in Harpenden, England and gave national training at regional level in England.
· Married and living in the Netherlands since 1978
· 1978: Club Trainer at TV Seghwaert, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
· 1979: district Trainer for the Hague for the KNLTB
· 1980's: 2x KNLTB District Trainer for Leiden and The Hague under the Dutch national coach Stanley Franker (pupils Richard Krajicek, Jan Siemerink and Martin Verkerk)
· 1980's: brought several young players to the National Dutch Squad
· 1980's: Tenisschool John Noakes was founded
· 1980's: Coach of the Dutch National Wheelchair tennis team for Ladies and Men; 2 ladies and 1 man became World Champions
· 1984 - 89: N.I.S. Technical Director for Wheelchair Tennis. Together with Jaap Lodder and Jules Vandierendonck, we laid the foundation for present day Dutch domination of wheelchair tennis.
· Was National Coach responsible for the Dutch Ladies Men's team. Set up local centres for beginners training and introduced central training for team players.
· Was also 1st Chairman of the European Wheelchair Tennis Federation responsible for setting up European Tour and Rankings.
· Was 1st treasurer of International Wheelchair Tennis Federation.
· 1988: Introduced Two Bounce Rule to ITF on behalf of the players. Organized and ran the demonstration sport of wheelchair tennis at the Seoul Paralympics. This was approved by the ITF and led to wheelchair tennis being a competitive sport at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics.
· 2003/04: ITF expect responsible for Silver Fund "sustainable development" programme in South Africa. One of 4 pilot projects and regarded in South Africa and elsewhere as a total success.

Writing

- Wrote part of "more Than Tennis" History of first 25 years of wheelchair tennis.
- Wrote article for Wheelchair Tennis Coaches
- Helped write Guidelines for Coaches working on Silver Fund projects - base don't he South African experience.