Keith was introduced to Dan Maskell when he was playing at his local club in the 1980s. Dan had come to Scotland on a golfing trip and to visit his daughter Robin who lived close by to Keith’s Club. Dan held a coaching session at the Club and from that day the connection started between Dan, Robin and Dalbeattie Tennis club.
Keith’s first real introduction to the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust began in 2007 when he was diagnosed as having bone cancer. During his treatment and after losing his leg Robin (Dan’s daughter) came to visit Keith with a box of books, DVDs, and anything else she had about wheelchair tennis. She said, ‘when you are well this is what you are going to do.’ At that point Keith didn’t know if he was going to get better as he had been given 3 months to live before his operation. Keith showed his usual strength and determination and did make a recovery so once again Robin stepped in and organised for Keith to go down to a Wheelchair Tennis Camp in Nottingham in 2009. The Trust helped Keith get his own tennis chair and from there Keith was hooked and even started playing competitions. Keith says ‘there is no doubt that the DMTT gave me a new lease of life and a belief to carry on in the sport I loved.’
Keith decided to get some coaching experience and achieved his LTA level 2 coaching award. He has used this to help new players get into the game and promote the DMTT. Keith has also spent the last 10 years trying to raise money at various events at his club for the Trust. Keith says, ‘I consider myself lucky as I had someone to point me in the right direction and pave the way for me to get into the sport. To be asked to be an ambassador for the trust has meant a lot to me. It allows me to do what Robin did for me back in 2007, and hopefully I can pave the way for new players to get into the sport and let them know about how the DMTT can help them.’
Keith continues to compete in tournaments in the UK and Europe.
