VIPA - Visually Impaired Physical Activity Yorkshire

29/08/2026

John had a good time at his second ever visually impaired tennis session for partially sighted players at Heaton Tennis & Squash Club in Bradford a couple of weeks ago.

If you'd like to give VI tennis a go, our next session for partially sighted (B2 to B5) players is on the 5th of September, from 4 - 6pm.

Beginners welcome, sessions led by a Level 3 LTA tennis coach. All equipment provided.

Cost: £10 per session

Where: Heaton Tennis and Squash Club, Garth Barn Close, Emm Lane, Bradford BD9 5PH

For more information email [email protected] or message/call Ed on 07443 666854

Pictures show John practising serving and swinging to hit the ball.

07/07/2026

Coaches needed for VIPA Tennis sessions!

VIPA is a community organisation that supports blind and partially sighted people by providing opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity. Our aim is to help people stay active, build confidence, and connect with others.

We are looking for paid coaches to work at our tennis sessions for blind and visually impaired players. No experience of visual impairment is necessary, what is important is that you bring your coaching skills, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!

Mentoring will be provided to help you develop your knowledge of visually impaired tennis and how to best support participants. You will be working alongside an assistant coach and volunteers, who set up the courts, collect balls and assist players.

Reasonable expenses can be reimbursed.

Our 2-hour sessions are held twice monthly on a Saturday afternoon. Times vary depending on the session.

Location: Heaton Tennis and Squash Club, Garth Barn Close, Emm Lane, Bradford BD9 5PH

Interested?
Contact Ed Hastings to discuss the role on 07443666854 or email [email protected]

25/06/2026

Volunteers needed for VIPA Tennis sessions in Bradford!

Whether you love tennis or just want to give back to your community, join us as a volunteer at our tennis sessions – specially designed for blind and visually impaired players. No experience is necessary – just bring your enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to learn!

Reasonable expenses can be reimbursed.

What you’ll do:

• Assist players on and off the court, i.e. meeting players at reception and
showing them to the courts. Helping players find their belongings, the changing rooms.
• Help set up the tactile court
• Collecting balls and giving them to players when they are serving.
• Support a fun, safe, and inclusive sporting environment

Our 2-hour sessions are held twice monthly on a Saturday afternoon. They run either from 2 – 4pm or 3:30 – 5:30pm, depending on the session.

Location: Heaton Tennis and Squash Club, Garth Barn Close, Emm Lane, Bradford BD9 5PH

You’ll be part of a welcoming team, gain valuable experience, and help make sport accessible to all.

Interested?
Contact Ed Hastings for an application form or to discuss the role on 07443666854 or email [email protected].

Image description: a poster with the details outlined above and photos of our current volunteers.

13/05/2026

We are pleased to share that VIPA is now able to offer tennis to partially sighted people, on top of our existing sessions for those with a severe sight impairment, meaning we can now offer access to tennis for all levels of visual impairment.

Thanks to Bradford Council for awarding us a Local Friendship Grant to fund these new sessions.

Our first monthly tennis session for people with partial sight, including children, will take place on the 16th of May from 2 - 4pm at Heaton Tennis Club. All equipment provided. Beginners welcome.

The second session will be on June the 20th from 2 – 4pm.

Cost: £10 per 2 hour session.
Where: Heaton Tennis and Squash Club, Garth Barn Close, Emm Lane, Bradford BD9 5PH

For more information email [email protected] or message/call Ed on 07443666854. You can also WhatsApp us through the button on our page.

10/04/2026

Come and have a go at something new!

It’s almost time for our next tennis session in Bradford for players with no or little vision, taking place on Saturday the 18th of April, from 3:30 to 5:30pm!

All equipment provided. No previous experience needed and all ages welcome. We have a supportive team of coaches and volunteers, so that all players can benefit from having 1 to 1 coaching time.

Cost: £10 per session.
Where: Heaton Tennis and Squash Club, Garth Barn Close, Emm Lane, Bradford BD9 5PH

For more information email [email protected] or message/call Ed on 07443666854. You can also WhatsApp us through the button on our page.

Upcoming dates:
April 18th - 3:30 to 5:30pm
May 9th – 3:30 to 5:30pm
June 6th – 3:30 to 5:30pm

IMAGE: A female player holds a ball on the strings of her racket as she prepares to serve. Photo credit: James Drury

04/04/2026

WOK’S GOING ON HERE?!?

At our March tennis session, Chris said he wanted an extra challenge, so we gave him a wok to serve with instead of a racket! He had the last laugh as he still got his serve in successfully! The jury is out on whether he could do the same with a chopping board.

Video shows a male player serving with a wok, his female opponent tries to return the ball but can't reach it.

If you’d like to join in the fun at our next session in Bradford, on April the 18th from 3:30 to 5:30pm, message or call Ed on 07443666854.

16/03/2026

NEW BALLS PLEASE!

It’s not just the weather that will be springing this week in Bradford!

We have received a box of shiny new balls ahead of our next tennis session for players with no or little vision, taking place this Saturday the 21st of March, from 3:30 to 5:30pm!

All equipment provided. No previous experience needed and all ages welcome.

Cost: £10 per session.
Where: Heaton Tennis and Squash Club, Garth Barn Close, Emm Lane, Bradford BD9 5PH

For more information email [email protected] or message/call Ed on 07443666854. You can also WhatsApp us through the button on our page.

Upcoming dates:
March 21st - 3:30 to 5:30pm
April 18th - 3:30 to 5:30pm
May 9th – 3:30 to 5:30pm

27/02/2026

We are delighted to share that VIPA has been awarded a Community Fund grant to support the development of visually impaired tennis in Bradford.

Thank you to the for funding us and to , who have contributed through ticket purchases.

We look forward to expanding access to VI tennis and growing inclusive opportunities within our community.

15/02/2026

The quotes from young VI people and their parents really tell of the power of VI Sport. Wonderful to hear that this is happening in West Yorkshire.  Excited about creating more opportunities like this.

Parents say the team has given children a massive confidence boost and helped them make friends.