Wheelchair tennis players showed Southend mayor Norah Goodman how the game was played during an open day.

Councillor Goodman was among visitors to the event at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre in Eastern Avenue on Saturday.

The open day was organised by the Southend Tennis Development Team and Jamie Robinson.

Jamie is an LTA-qualified coach who was left paraplegic after a snowboarding accident.

He discovered wheelchair tennis by chance and organised the open day to make sure other disabled people were aware of the sport.

"I wanted them to be given the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from it as much as I have," Jamie said.

The open day was supported by the LTA and the National Wheelchair Tennis Associa-tion and featured top guest players and coaches.

Demo time - coach Jamie Robinson (centre) and Tom Murray, 10, show Norah Goodman their raquets

(Right) Open day - Norah Goodman meets some of the wheelchair tennis players

Pictures: STEVE O'CONNELL Hardcourts for England

Westcliff Hardcourt players have been picked to represent England at veteran level.

June Pearce will represent the over 60 ladies in the Alice Marble Cup, while the club's Stefi Rodrigues has been selected for England for the Four Nations Cup.

The Hardcourts' Ashley Compton-Dando has been picked for the Four Nations squad and the Dubler Cup for men aged over 45.

Six other Essex players have also been chosen for national honours. Play tennis in May

Aspiring tennis players will be able to enjoy an ace week as part of a major national promotion for the sport.

Basildon Community Tennis Partnership, Wickford Lawn Tennis Club and Billericay Tennis Club are all organising events for Play Tennis '99, which runs from May 1 to 8.

The initiative has been set up by the Lawn Tennis Association and aims to promote the game both nationally and at local levels.

Play Tennis '99 follows a similar scheme last year and will feature coaching sessions, charity competitions, short tennis classes and tennis sessions in schools.

BCTP- a partnership between Basildon Council, Basildon Lawn Tennis Club and local schools - aims to provide opportunities for youngsters to start playing tennis.

Call Andy Dowsett on 01268 522591 or the council's leisure line on 01268 294929 for more details about Play Tennis '99.

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