Twos Athletic Club Wheelchair Tennis & Ramp
Wheelchair tennis players have been coming to Two's Athletic Club from all over the Midwest since the first clinic was held in 2019. They come to sharpen their skills, build confidence, and enjoy the good-natured fellowship that comes from being together with other adaptive sports athletes. Calling themselves the "Glass City Backspinners", the group welcomes new members to join them for weekly practice on Friday nights from 5:30-7:00pm. There is accessible parking, restrooms/locker rooms, and a path to get down to the lower courts. The coaches and staff at Twos are willing and able to assist and adapt so that every player has the “Tennis Experience They Deserve.”
Almost identical to stand-up tennis, the only differentiation with wheelchair tennis is that players are allowed two bounces as opposed to one. This makes it easy for wheelchair and stand-up players to play together in what is called an “up-down” doubles format.
Twos Athletic Club has worked closely with the United State Tennis Association Midwest Section (USTA), The Ability Center of Greater Toledo and Accessible Renovations to properly develop the wheelchair tennis program and construct an outdoor ramp on the North side of the club.
Tim Harrington, the Executive Director of The Ability Center stated, “The Ability Center commends Twos Athletic Club for their commitment to inclusivity for their members. Steps taken to create a welcoming environment for all eliminates physical and social barriers. Enhancements to the club will connect members with and without disabilities over a love of tennis and recreation. Throughout The Ability Center’s centennial year in 2020, we will actively seek partnerships with local businesses and agencies to engage people with disabilities to live, learn, work, play, and socialize in their community.”
History of Twos Athletic Club & Twos Wheelchair Tennis Program
Twos Athletic Club opened on October 5th, 2015. It is owned by Cleves & Kathy Delp.
The property was formerly Laurel Hill Tennis and Swim Club which opened in 1966. It was owned by Norm and Dorthy Heydinger.
Mark Faber, Twos Director of Tennis, brought the wheelchair tennis program to Twos.
On May 10th, 2019 all of the Twos Tennis Teaching Staff went through an in depth training program put on by the USTA Midwest Section on teaching wheelchair tennis. This included them being in a wheelchair for much of the time to better understand how to teach. Wheelchair players were also invited on that afternoon for our first wheelchair clinic.
Our first six week wheelchair tennis clinic began on, Friday, June 7th, 2019.
Since June 7th, 2019 we have hosted this wheelchair clinic nearly every Friday afternoon @ 5:30 PM.
Andy Rodriguez has taught the clinic each week.
One of the obstacles which we knew from the start was the lack of good access to the indoor courts. Conversations with the Twos staff, some of the wheelchair players and their parents were held to brainstorm ideas and options.
The Twos staff then met with Matt Lee, the owner of Accessible Renovations, Inc. to develop our options. Matt then brought in the staff from The Ability Center of Greater Toledo.
After much discussion the project of the new outdoor ramp was designed to meet code.
Construction began on Monday, November 18th, 2019 and was completed on Friday, November 22nd, 2019.
This was a true group effort for the betterment of “our” community!
One Day Challenge
Twos Athletic Club and the Glass City Backspinners host a “One Day Wheelchair Tennis Challenge” each September. This is open to all wheelchair tennis players!