Australian comic and tv character Adam Hills is a passionate tennis participant and hopes to encourage extra folks to play the game he loves.
Australia, 12 September 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Australian comic and tv character Adam Hills is proudly fronting a brand new advertising and marketing marketing campaign for Tennis Australia.
The “Tennis for Each Physique” marketing campaign, which launched final week, highlights the adaptive and inclusive pathways that ensures tennis is for everyone.
It is a trigger that Hills, who was born with out a proper foot, is keen about, as he explains on this interview with tennis.com.au.
Adam, inform us about your connection to tennis?
Most individuals most likely recognise me because the host of Spicks and Specks, however what they may not know, is that I’ve additionally been taking part in tennis since I used to be 5 years previous. I’ve performed competitively, I even coached for some time, nevertheless it was all the time towards able-bodied folks.
Having a incapacity hasn’t held you again from you taking part in?
I’ve a prosthetic foot, which actually doesn’t cease me from transferring that a lot. I bear in mind attending the Paralympic Video games at Beijing in 2008 and I used to be speaking to the coach of the Australian wheelchair tennis staff. When he heard I can play, he invited me to leap in a wheelchair and prepare with them. I simply thought ‘No, that doesn’t sound correct’. However the way in which it’s, my incapacity requires me to play wheelchair tennis. I bear in mind pondering on the time, ‘I want there was a greater means I may play towards folks with comparable disabilities, however whereas standing’.
You’ve since found that’s attainable, haven’t you?
Fortunately, I’ve. It seems there’s a rising motion around the globe referred to as Para Standing Tennis. The president is a Spanish man Ivan Corretja, whose brother Alex is a former world No.2. He has a below-knee amputation and is main the Para Standing Tennis motion, which is now recognised by the Worldwide Tennis Federation and performed in additional than 21 nations. I performed within the first Para Standing Tennis event in Sydney final 12 months. It was run by Metropolis Neighborhood Tennis, who often run adaptive classes, and was supported by Tennis Australia. There have been solely 5 us in that event, so all of the classes have been lumped in collectively. But it surely was a promising begin.
Are you able to clarify how Para Standing Tennis works?
It’s standing tennis for folks with disabilities, however there are completely different guidelines, relying in your incapacity. If you’re a below-knee or an elbow amputee, it’s simply the usual guidelines of tennis. In the event you’re brief stature, an above-knee amputee or for those who’ve obtained cerebral palsy that restricts your motion, then you definately get two bounces, which ranges the taking part in subject.
> LEARN MORE: Para Standing Tennis
What’s your individual type like on the tennis courtroom? We hear you usually hit with Australian legend and former world No.1 doubles participant John Fitzgerald.
Nicely in line with Fitzy, my forehand is my greatest shot. It’s very strong and constant. The bizarre factor is my backhand was actually good, however I’ve misplaced it.
What did you study whereas capturing the “Tennis for Each Physique” advertising and marketing marketing campaign with Tennis Australia?
I’ve been actually targeted on constructing the profile of Para Standing Tennis and exploring the way in which we will make this extra accessible for extra Australians, which Tennis Australia is fortunately supporting. So, it’s been nice to additionally study extra in regards to the completely different adaptive codecs obtainable. It was fascinating to look at how folks adapt to their disabilities to play tennis as effectively. From wheelchair tennis to pathways for these with Blind and Low Imaginative and prescient (BLV), an mental impairment (PWII) or Deaf and Laborious of Listening to (DHoH), there actually is one thing for everybody.
> LEARN MORE: Inclusion and Range pathways in Australian tennis
Why do these adaptive codecs and pathways matter?
I’ve performed tennis my complete life, so it’s not like I used to be ever excluded from the sport, I simply wasn’t in a position to play towards different folks like me. Having pathways for folks of all talents opens up a complete bunch of extra prospects. It additionally helps foster a terrific sense of belonging, which is usually a huge problem for these of us with a incapacity.
What was your motivation for fronting this marketing campaign? Do you hope to see extra folks with a incapacity take up tennis?
Most positively! Through the years I’ve spoken to a number of Paralympians, who’ve gained gold medals of their respective sports activities, however have mentioned they’d have a lot reasonably performed tennis. It simply hasn’t all the time been an accessible choice for everyone, however that actually is altering now, which is so pleasing to see. This marketing campaign just isn’t solely about these with a incapacity both. It’s also about selling the game for gamers of all ages, stage and id and dispelling myths about who can and might’t play tennis. Whether or not you’re younger or previous, match or unfit, straight or queer, or solely have one foot. Everyone seems to be welcome and able to taking part in tennis.
Lastly, what’s your message to these contemplating taking part in tennis?
Do it, what are you ready for?! Tennis is a whole lot of enjoyable and actually is an inclusive sport. Get out on courtroom and provides it your greatest shot.
Discover your method to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!
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