Project Tennis Academy in Sri Lanka

Another important aspect is our commitment to the Tennis Academy in Sri Lanka, Natascha’s homeland. This wheelchair tennis group has grown dramatically. Most of them are ex-combatants affected by the prolonged conflict with the Tamil Tigers in the north of Sri Lanka.

Natascha is in regular contact with the Tennis Academy in Colombo. Her parents were there in March ’09 for a visit. When you click on photographs you will get an impression.

In short; our foundation contributes to the importance of developing quality amongst youth and young people with physical disabilities, by taking them out of their isolation and to give them a feeling of self-confidence and self-respect. Decent social contacts with other sporting people and learning about each other, creates a special bond and produces nice and informative experiences.

The origin of the Silver Fund Project

The ‘Tennis Academy’ was created as part of the 25th anniversary of wheelchair tennis. The International Tennis Federation decided to found the “Wheelchair Tennis Silver Fund”, with the aim to put in order wheelchair tennis projects in the underdeveloped countries, to be independent in operating within 2 years. On top of that, the ‘Johan Cruyff Foundation’, the Ministry of VWS and the KNLTB had adopted the pilot phase in 2003.

These projects recorded much success in Rumania, South Africa and Bolivia and in Sri Lanka.

Silver Fund Project

The Silver Fund Project designed various sports projects in many poor countries for children and young people with disabilities, including the Tennis Academy in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

Now in 2010, the Tennis Academy in Colombo is fast growing. The ‘Wheels for Life Foundation’ still wants to be able to help them by eliminating their lack of (sports) wheelchairs and tennis equipment, such as: rackets, clothing and tennis balls.

Through its coach Aad Zwaan, Natascha knows that he has already been there several times travelling to Colombo for a couple of training sessions and also by sharing his vision and knowledge with the local coach of these rollers.