On Tuesday, 22nd October 2024, Tennis Ireland welcomed the members of the Blind & Visually Impaired team who proudly represented Ireland at last month’s World Championships.
Representing one’s country is not only an honour but also a testament to the dedication and resilience required to excel. Our team members, hailing from every province and representing all levels, embody these qualities, relying on many factors to succeed. Their participation is a credit to the commitment of the players, volunteers, families, and coaches. Celebrating every contributor to this achievement was important to us.
The team members who represented Ireland are:
- Lisa McLaughlin B1 Windsor TC
- Stuart Haxell B1 Sligo TC
- Paul O’Rahilly B1 Naas LTC
- Babs Weiberg B2 Windsor TC
- Vinny Keane B2 Rosslare/Naas LTC
- Marguerite Quinn B3 Ballina Killaloe TC
- John Connolly B4 Rushbrooke TC
- Riya Devereux B4 Shankill TC
- Ariadna Flociuc B4 Shankill TC
The event featured Dr Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland, who congratulated the team and highlighted the crucial role of volunteers in sport, especially those who helped establish Blind Tennis. Joe Geraghty from Vision Sports Ireland, a former Paralympian, followed by commending the team and praising Liam O’Donohoe, founder of the Enjoy Tennis programme, for his lasting impact on current and future teams.
George Lucas from Sport NI emphasised the collaboration between Sport Ireland and Sport NI, ensuring that all-island athletes can access opportunities like Enjoy Tennis.
Liam O’Donohoe then spoke passionately about each player’s unique contributions, from Vinny’s encyclopaedic knowledge of Blind Tennis to Marguerite’s nurturing role as the “mammy” of the team, underscoring the strength of their bond.
Tennis Ireland President Letty Lucas concluded the speeches, presenting gifts to the players and acknowledging Babs Weiberg’s influential role in the sport’s growth.
Special mentions included Riya Devereux, a double bronze medallist, who shared her journey back to tennis after a hiatus due to vision loss. She discovered Blind Tennis through a Google search and joined Shankill in January 2023, rekindling her love for the game.
Babs Weiberg, MVP of the World Championships, announced her retirement from international competition but hinted at her plans to continue developing Blind Tennis programmes across Ireland.
It was a joy to celebrate the team’s accomplishments and hear first-hand what Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis means to them. We’re already looking forward to next year’s celebration!
