Enjoy Tennis
Enjoy Tennis
Enjoy Tennis is Tennis Ireland’s dedicated programme for players with a disability. It was established in 2015 and aims to provide fun, safe and supportive environments to learn and play tennis.
We collaborate with players, clubs, coaches, service providers and advocacy groups to provide an accessible and inclusive environment for people of all abilities to play tennis.
There are now 85+ Enjoy Tennis locations across the island of Ireland with more than 1300 players.
Para Standing Tennis
What is Para Standing Tennis?
Para Standing Tennis is an exciting and inclusive format of our sport, designed for players with physical impairments who wish to play standing, without the use of a wheelchair.Although still growing as a discipline, Tennis Ireland is committed to building opportunities for the para standing community to enjoy, train and compete in tennis at all levels. Age, background or experience – none of it matters. If you want to play, there’s a place for you on court.
Para Standing Tennis – The Rules
One of the brilliant things about Para Standing Tennis is how closely it aligns with the standard game. Players compete on a full-size court, using the same rackets and tennis balls – with no need for major adaptations.The only key difference? For certain classifications, players may be allowed up to two bounces, ensuring the game remains accessible, competitive, and fun for all.
This flexibility means para standing players can enjoy matches both within their classification and alongside non-disabled players – making it one of the most inclusive formats of the game.
Classification | Impairment | Rules |
PST 1 | Upper limb disability or similar impairment, such as cerebral palsy with limited mobility impact. | One bounce allowed. |
PST 2 | Below knee amputee or cerebral palsy with similar mobility level. | One bounce allowed. |
PST 3 | Above knee amputee, double-arm impairment, or cerebral palsy with more severe mobility issues. | Two bounces allowed. |
PST 4 | Short stature or impairment with similar impact on mobility. | Two bounces allowed. |
Blind & Visually Impaired Tennis
What is Visually Impaired Tennis?
Visually Impaired (VI) Tennis – also known as Sound Tennis or Blind Tennis – is one of the most popular sports for blind and partially sighted players around the world.
First developed in Japan in 1984, VI Tennis is now played in over 30 countries and continues to grow, with aspirations of becoming a future Paralympic sport. Tennis Ireland is proud to support the development of this inclusive format here in Ireland.
VI Tennis differs from the traditional game – it’s played on a smaller court with a lower net, and for players in the B1 category, tactile lines allow them to navigate the court by touch. The ball itself contains ball bearings and makes a sound when it bounces or is struck, helping players track it by ear.
Who Can Play?
VI Tennis is open to players of all ages, levels, and fitness, provided they have a visual impairment. There are even ways for families and mixed-ability groups to enjoy the game together.
Players compete in different sight categories, from B1 (no sight) to B4/B5 (partial sight), and depending on classification, may be allowed up to three bounces of the ball before returning it – making the game both accessible and competitive.
VI tennis categories
- B1 – No sight, players are allowed three bounces of the ball and nets are lowered
- B2 – Partial sight and players are allowed three bounces of the ball
- B3 – Partial sight and players are allowed two bounces of the ball
- B4 and B5 – Partial sight and are allowed one bounce of the ball
Enjoy tennis caters for:
- People with an Intellectual Disability
- Autistic & Neurodivergent People
- People with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Wheelchair Users
- Blind and/or Visually Impaired People
- People with Dementia
- Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing People
- People who have Cerebral Palsy
- Para-Standing Tennis
Funding
The Enjoy Tennis programme has been supported by Sport Ireland’s Dormant Account Funding over many years, including through the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Fund, Sport for All Fund, Local Sports Disability Fund, Disability Programme Fund, and Disability, Training & Education Fund.
The programme has also been supported by the HSE National Lottery Fund, International Tennis Federation, advocacy groups and generous donors, since the inception of the programme.
National Stakeholders
We work closely with many national stakeholders to help establish and support Enjoy Tennis groups across the island of Ireland. These include:
Enjoy tennis groups
If you would like to find out more about an Enjoy Tennis group near you or if you are interested in establishing an Enjoy Tennis group in your locality, please contact our Enjoy Tennis Development Officer Rachel Paul at [email protected]
