First Volley Tennis Clinic 2010

Dustin and Frieda on court

OPT hosts most successful First Volley of 2010-Again!

October 16, 2010 Orthotic Prosthetic Technologies of Austin, Texas has done it again! For the second year in a row, they have hosted the most successful First Volley Adaptive Tennis Clinic for their patients and their community!

On Saturday, October 16, OPT was hosted by the premier facilities of Circle C Tennis Club in Austin and saw over 20 amputees and others with physical challenges on court for three hours of adaptive tennis skills and drills. Fernando Velasco, Circle C Director of Tennis, along with First Volley instructors, Darren Kindred and Stefan Blair put clinic attendees through their paces.

This clinic was most special in that we were privileged to host true tennis royalty with Wimbledon and French Open Champion, Dennis Ralston. Dennis became a below knee amputee this spring and joined the folks at OPT for adaptive tennis instruction. Dennis believes that the reason he lost his foot may be to help adaptive tennis and has pledged his support for First Volley Tennis.

Dustin Strelsky, a wheelchair participant offered I had a very good time and the instructors were awesome. Because I came here I am going to start playing tennis a lot more! Ray Baladad, a former competitive tennis coach and player said, Excellent program and instructors-a Five Star rating! Many of our participants were returning players from last years event, including Nora Richart, an 80-something above knee amputee who asked Dennis how long he had had his prosthesis. He replied that he had received it just three weeks and he wasn't used to it. You soon will be she replied.

OPT plans to continue their relation with OPAF and The First Clinics and is looking to schedule both a First Swing/Learn to Golf Clinic and a First Volley Adaptive Tennis Clinic for 2011. The success of the OPT clinics is due in large part to the efforts of the OPT owners, Aaron and Shelley Foreman and a tremendous support staff, including Frieda Borth and Jo Boehmer. Bravo OPT!!

Contact Robin Burton, Executive Director OPAF & The First Clinics

319-235-4318 phone 319-235-4326 fax This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.opfund.org