Hume Tennis and Community Centre’s Wheelchair Tennis Hub and Hume Tennis Coach Lawrence Gileno are finalists for the DSR Awards.
These prestigious Awards recognise and celebrate excellence and achievement in the disability sport and recreation sector.
Lawrence Gileno with Wheelchair Hub player Rebecca
Caitlyn and Caroline started in the Wheelchair Hub, now have private lessons and are competing in Tennis Australia National events.
The Hume Tennis Wheelchair Hub is nominated in the “Initiative of the Year”. The Hub is held each Saturday afternoon from 1.30pm and includes tennis coaching and social play.
The Hub started in October 2016 and was the first Wheelchair Hub set up in Australia. With the support from Tennis Australia, Tennis Victoria and Hume City Council the hub continues to grow with now over 10 regular players hitting each week. “We are so pleased Hume has been recognised by its contribution in growing wheelchair tennis participation” said Tennis Australia Wheelchair National Pathway Manager, Alex Jago.
Lawrence Gileno is the Wheelchair Tennis Coach at the hub and is up for “Coach of the Year”. Lawrence was nominated by the hub’s youngest player, Jin Goodman (7 years), who attends every week. “Lawrence is so committed to the players and his energy provides such inspiration” said Jin’s father, Steve. “Regardless of whether Lawrence wins the award or not this recognition is great recognition of his dedication to making the players better”.
Jin and Steve Woodman nominated Lawrence for “Coach of the Year”.
Each year in January the Melbourne Wheelchair Tennis Open is played at Hume Tennis and Community Centre. “The best players come from all over the world to play at the tournament and it is so inspirational for our players to rub shoulders with the world’s best.” said Lawrence Gileno. Recently the tournament has been upgraded to an ITF 1 Tournament where players will compete for over $40,000AUD.
The Awards winners will be announced at a special event to be held on Thursday 17 August at 4.30pm at the PwC Melbourne Offices in Southbank.
If you would like to or know someone who would like to come and try wheelchair tennis – the Wheelchair Tennis Hub is on each Saturday from 1.30pm. Please call:1300 486 382 for more information or email: office@humetennis.com.au
The Wheelchair Hub is growing all the time – new players are always welcome.