TAUNTON based Paralympic bronze medallist, Lucy Shuker has been supporting a series of wheelchair tennis festivals throughout October, designed to ignite the love of the sport for many and potentially discover the next Paralympic star.

Over seventy participants took part in the Tennis Foundation’s Ticket2Tokyo wheelchair tennis festivals throughout last month – and Shuker hopes the programme will inspire the next generation of Paralympic athletes.

She said: “It’s great to see so many people trying out wheelchair tennis and discovering a love for the sport.

“The festival in Taunton was a real success, as were the other festivals across the country.

“Hopefully I will see some of the new players joining me in the British team in the future.”

As part of the Tennis Foundation’s Ticket2Tokyo programme there were festivals were held in Taunton, London, South Ribble, Glasgow, Loughborough, Gosling Hertfordshire, Cardiff and Wrexham.

Inspired by the recent Grand Slam success of Britain’s Paralympic stars Jordanne Whiley, Gordon Reid and Andy Lapthorne, participants enjoyed free coaching and the chance to sample the sport in a fun, social environment.

Following the successful festivals players were then directed to their nearest local sessions and those who showed potential selected to attend a Tennis Foundation wheelchair tennis development camp and begin their journey towards a potential spot on the plane to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

The feedback received from participants at the festivals was excellent with Kate from Loughborough saying: “I loved, loved, loved it!

“I have played and have tried loads of sports, but never feel like I’m any good and often struggle to keep up.

“But wheelchair tennis has made me realise that I can be good at a sport, and everyone accepts me for me, not the girl who wears splints."

Martyn Whait from the Tennis Foundation, who ran the session in Loughborough said: “We had 11 new players attend our Tennis Foundation Ticket2Tokyo event with six of them being juniors.

“It was fantastic to see so many new players enjoying wheelchair tennis and I hope that they decide to join in with our weekly programme from now on.

“The positive feedback I received from the participants is why I will keep coaching wheelchair tennis until I retire.”

The parent of two young girls who attended the session in Loughborough added: "I love to see Kate and Martha playing wheelchair tennis as they get to learn new skills, enjoy some exercise and yet not feel they are worthless in comparison to other people around them.”

To find out more about the Ticket2Tokyo programme and wheelchair tennis visit www.tennisfoundation.org.uk