Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation earns UTSA recognition for Blind Tennis program

The United States Tennis Association has awarded the County Tennis Division the 'Adaptive Tennis Award' for their work with the Georgia Academy for the Blind

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department’s Tennis Division has been honored with the Adaptive Tennis Award from the United States Tennis Association for its work teaching visually impaired students how to play “Blind Tennis” at the Georgia Academy for the Blind.

Thursday afternoon, Justin Dierkes stopped by the Georgia Academy for the Blind to speak with the people responsible for earning the honor. The Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department’s Tennis Division received the award from the USTA for its work with G.A.B., teaching visually impaired students how to play “Blind Tennis.”

Robin Bateman, a program coordinator with the County Tennis Division who is visually impaired herself, played a key role in earning the award. She told 41NBC how the program got started.

“While I was playing, the coaches just threw the ball in my strike zone and told me what to do. They didn’t have any of the special equipment,” said Bateman Thursday morning. “So, I was just addicted to playing tennis. So, when I heard there was somebody out there, I was excited. Then, I heard that they were going to come here and actually teach coaches how to teach students that are blind, or visually impaired, and when we did the workshop, because I work for the Parks and Rec Tennis Division, I was like, ‘We have to do this program,’ and they all supported it.”

Bateman, as well as some of the Blind Tennis players, spoke about how exciting it is to be a part of this award.

“It’s huge to be recognized on the state level because there are a lot of different adaptive tennis programs; wheelchair tennis, net therapy for kids with autism, there’s Special Olympics tennis,” said Bateman. “Then, to be recognized on the sectional level, which is a nine-state area, we call it the Southern Section, that makes my heart swell. We’re able to let other people know, ‘Hey, this program does exist.’ To have the platform of the award, it feels good.”

“It feels awesome!” said one of the Georgia Academy for the Blind students. “I’ve always wanted to play lots of sports because I see other people do it. You know, just because I can’t see half the time, doesn’t mean that I can’t do that. So, I did the workshop with them and thought that this is pretty cool.”

Another student never thought he would be in this position.

“When I was initially approached, I had just started doing the first sport in my life, track. When I heard about tennis, which normally for me would be impossible, because seeing something fly through the air is hard for me, but being able to hear the ball and try something new, it was really fun.”

If you know someone who is visually impaired and unsure if they can do Blind Tennis themselves, Georgia Academy for the Blind students have a great answer for them.

“Just play it. It’s good to go out and meet new people. It usually gets us out and to know people, to meet new friends, and to create new connections between other states.”

“If you don’t have good vision, or you don’t have any vision at all, and you want to find a good sport, or something fun to play, I suggest Blind Tennis because it’s fun,” said another G.A.B. student and Blind Tennis player. “It helps you learn how to do a sport without vision, because if you’re blind, how will you play the real game?”

Bateman also wants people to know that this sport isn’t just for children.

“As people age, their vision starts to go for whatever reason, but there is something to do, especially if you were already athletic, and then you lose your vision due to an accident or diabetes, or something, it’s not the end of the world,” said Bateman. “You can come out and learn how to play tennis.”

The program coordinator says the future of the sport is bright with kids who want to play, volunteers who will help, and a community that supports them. Bateman said the program will start back up in the spring, and she hopes to have one or two seasons a year.

If you know someone who is visually impaired and interested in Blind Tennis, Bateman said players meet at the Randy Stephens Tennis Center (7035 Houston Rd, Macon, GA 31216) once a week to practice for about an hour and a half. Call the Macon Tennis Center at (478) 259-4792 for more information.