Tennis Wales and Squash Wales are delighted to reflect on the success of a six-week Wheelchair Tennis & Squash pilot programme delivered at Rhiwbina Squash & Tennis Club during April and May 2026.
The pilot was designed to explore how two sports could work together to create a more inclusive and accessible sporting offer for wheelchair users. Participants were given the opportunity to experience both squash and tennis in the same venue, developing skills, increasing confidence and enjoying the social benefits of regular physical activity.
A Collaborative Approach
The project brought together coaches, volunteers, participants and organisations with a shared goal of creating more opportunities for disabled people to engage in sport. By combining resources and expertise from both sports, the pilot offered a unique experience that would have been difficult to achieve independently.
The programme also helped promote existing participation opportunities, including the weekly Thursday wheelchair squash sessions at Rhiwbina, the Tennis Wales Championships, and the Welsh Wheelchair Squash Open.
Positive Outcomes
One of the most encouraging outcomes was the consistent attendance throughout the programme, with several participants returning week after week. The pilot also introduced new players to wheelchair squash, with two participants attending regularly and expressing an interest in continuing their involvement.
Wheelchair Squash Coach Richard Plenty reflected:
“The six-week programme went really well as we got two new players who attended most weeks. We had a few teething problems the first week and a few punctures along the way, but there were positives every week and it highlighted opportunities for future growth. On a personal note, I loved every minute and had great support from Tom (Squash Wales) and Simon (Rhiwbina Squash Club). I look forward to doing it again and growing this challenging sport.”
Developing Coaches and Knowledge
The pilot was not only valuable for participants but also for the coaches involved.
Tennis Coach Evan Kennedy had never previously coached wheelchair tennis and described the programme as a significant learning experience:
“The pilot has served as a great learning tool for me. I had never coached wheelchair tennis before, but thanks to this programme, I now feel much more confident than I did at the start.”
Evan also highlighted the strength of communication and organisation throughout the programme, noting that he always felt informed and supported.
The pilot reinforced the importance of specialist coach education and disability-specific training. Sessions attended by experienced wheelchair tennis practitioners provided valuable insight for both coaches and participants, helping to shape future delivery plans.
Learning for the Future
As with any pilot programme, there were valuable lessons learned. However, these challenges were outweighed by the positive impact on participants, the development of coaches, and the stronger relationships formed between organisations.
The project demonstrated that collaboration between sports can create meaningful opportunities and help remove barriers to participation.
Looking Ahead
Following the success of the pilot, Squash Wales and Tennis Wales are exploring opportunities to build on the programme in the future, both at Rhiwbina and potentially at other venues across Wales.
The organisations will now review the findings from the pilot and consider how best to develop sustainable opportunities for wheelchair users to continue participating in racket sports.
Thank You
Squash Wales and Tennis Wales would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the pilot.
Special thanks go to:
- Rhiwbina Squash & Tennis Club for hosting the programme and supporting participants throughout the six weeks.
- National Lottery and The National Lottery Good Causes for supporting inclusive sporting opportunities.
- Sport Wales for their ongoing support of participation and inclusion initiatives.
- Richard Plenty, Evan Kennedy, Tom Rosser and Simon Kilshaw for their coaching, leadership and support.
- Most importantly, the participants who embraced the opportunity, challenged themselves and helped make the programme such a rewarding experience.
The pilot may have come to an end, but the relationships, learning and opportunities it created will continue to shape the future of wheelchair racket sports in Wales.
