The ITF’s Mark Bullock and Suzie Dyrbus and player Samanta Bullock begin a visit to Haiti today to launch a project that will provide tennis equipment for rehabilitation centres and schools for disabled people over the next two years.

UK based Factory Eleven have provided a significant amount of ‘Tennis Factory’ equipment to provide opportunities for physically disabled people to play wheelchair tennis in centres around the world. The design of the equipment makes it perfect to use in non-traditional tennis environments, such as rehabilitation centres.

Mark, Suzie and Samanta will spend two days in Port au Prince before going to a rehabilitation centre in Cap Haitien for three days.

Mark Bullock is the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Manager who has been involved in wheelchair tennis in various capacities for 23 years:

“The design of the equipment makes it perfect to use in non-traditional tennis environments such as rehabilitation centres. The team spent two days in Port au Prince before going to a rehabilitation centre in Cap Haitien for 4 days”

Suzie Dyrbus leads on wheelchair tennis development for the ITF, in particular the Wheelchair Tennis Development Fund.

Samanta Bullock is a former No. 1 Brazilian wheelchair tennis player and doubles silver medallist at the 2007 Parapan American Games.

Factory Eleven design products to support sports development initiatives and Corporate CSR activities at an International, National, Regional and Local level.

Their main focus outcome is to create a successful and positive platform of engagement for young people, adults and families that helps break down some of the preconceptions of a sport that limit participation and access issues these participants experience. This is done through supporting coaches and teachers to deliver a ‘learner centred’ approach and to create a stimulating environment in which to play.