|
How did you start playing sport ?
I started playing wheelchair tennis in 2003 at Spytty in Newport when my Dad was in the cricket nets there. I began just hitting with my sister. In November that year, I met John Gilgar who ran the Cardiff Wheelchair Tennis Club and started playing twice a week. I entered my first tournament and I was coached by Geraint Richards who is the British Junior coach based at Cardiff. The club and Disability Sport Cymru have been very supportive. For the past two years, I have built up my playing hours and now hit up to ten hours per week with my coach at International Sports Village, Becca Strelzyn.
What sports did you play when you were a child ?
I have tried sledge hockey and basketball and play Wheelchair basketball for the Cardiff Celts. I am attending the British Junior Camp and have played both at home and abroad thanks to the Disability Sports officers in Cardiff and Newport. I was introduced to athletics and was cheered on by thousands of people at the wheelchair mini-marathon in London in 2005.
What do you enjoy about sport ? I enjoy competing with people from around Europe and the friendships you make at the tennis tournaments. I have always liked going fast, so wheelchair tennis and basketball are ideal!! Representing your country in world events is fantastic too. I have also got to meet Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Matthew Pinsent and Tony Blair's wife!! I also managed to get on TV at both the Marathon and at Wimbledon when Roger Federer gave me his autograph, so that was pretty cool. I've met Ozzy Osbourne too and had a chat with him which was scary at first but he was great. In 2005, I was one of 25 tennis players to be included on a development programme aimed at potential medallists at the London Paralympics 2012. Since that time, I have improved my ranking in the World Men’s listings from outside the top 300 to a current 115 and am 4th ranked male junior player for players under 18 in the latest rankings. I have four years left to get to number 1!
How important do you think Dragon Sport is?
Dragon Sport is really important to me because it introduced me to people who have been helpful in my sports. It's great that the schools are provided with equipment in Wales because it means people are able to try something new and fun!! My advice is to try lots of different things and see which ones you like best and maybe I'll see you on court. |
