Please note there are two separate application forms, one for individual applicants and one for Group/Club/Project applications. Please ensure you complete the correct form.
The Trust supports people with all disabilities, (e.g. physical impairment, deaf, learning disability, visually impaired etc) to play tennis.
Please note that due to the demand for grant aid, the Trustees have imposed a 2-year moratorium on grants for the same purpose. Therefore, if you have applied during the past 2 years, please wait until 2 years has passed. If you are applying for a different purpose, e.g. a coaching grant when you have previously received an equipment bag or a tennis wheelchair, you are eligible to apply.
If you are applying for a grant
Individual applications – examples of items that will be considered include tennis rackets, coaching lessons with an LTA Licensed coach; course fees for official LTA Development/Coaching courses. As noted below transport or clothing costs will not be funded. The maximum funding per individual is £600.
Group, club or project applications: (For physical impairment, deaf, learning disability, visually impaired etc)
For those who are starting a disability group, a club programme/project or need help with an existing project or programme. Examples of items that will be considered under this scheme are help towards court hire, (e.g. for indoor provision) coaching fees, equipment (if not applying for an equipment package as above). All programmes and projects should aim towards self-financing and sustainability.
Please specify what costs are associated with each item, e.g. if you are applying for help with court fees, please specify how many sessions and the cost per hour per court. Likewise, if you are applying for coaching fees, please specify how many hours and at what cost.
Before applying for assistance, you are advised to consult The Lawn Tennis Association and/or your local County Tennis Association.
If you are applying for a tennis wheelchair or wheelchairs:-
Individual applications
If you are playing wheelchair tennis you may apply for your own sports wheelchair. We recommend all applicants aged under 18 years of age should apply to Variety in the first instance for a sports chair. Variety funds the full cost of the wheelchair with no contribution needed. It cannot be guaranteed that Variety will approve all applications but our Trustees do request that those aged under 18 try this avenue in the first instance, please inform us about this on your application.
**PLEASE NOTE** Prices for wheelchairs may rise during the year which could result in a higher contribution payment being required.
We have 3 types of chair currently available – for the more serious competitor we are offering a Matsunaga T-MAX AJ Aluminium High Performance Specification Tennis Chair. This is a high quality bespoke chair. For this chair each applicant is required to raise a contribution of £1,700 and the Trust will pay the difference. The next chair is a RGK Club Sport wheelchair suitable for those who play more recreational and social tennis. For this each applicant is required to raise a contribution of £700. All chairs are to a set specification and any additional features or changes to this specification required will be at the applicant’s cost. Each applicant will also be required to pay the cost of delivery unless collected from our supplier. If you would like more information about what is included in our specification, you can email: liz@danmaskelltennistrust.org.uk
(N.B. The Trust may ask the applicant to be evaluated by our official supplier, EPC, before an offer of the type of chair is made. The specifications of chairs and the contribution required from applicants may change during the year).
The third type of chair is from ROMA Sport which is a grass roots chair available in junior and adult sizes, and if approved, can be ordered directly from them with the Trust paying the invoice. A contribution of £300* is required for this chair and this includes delivery.
If an applicant wishes to have an alternative chair to those mentioned above, a grant may be awarded and the applicant will be responsible for ordering and payment of the chair directly with the supplier.
We advise everyone to check to make sure the wheelchair applied for (sizes and specifications ) will
work for their ability, disability and height and weight. You can check the RGK website, the ROMA Medical website or https://www.epc-wheelchairs.co.uk/ for this information.
Group, club or project applications for wheelchairs
You may apply for one or more tennis wheelchairs designed for general use at grass roots level. The chair available for group applications is the ROMA grass roots tennis wheelchair for which the contribution required is £300* per chair, which includes delivery, and the Trust will offer a grant for the remaining cost. This chair is available in junior and adult sizes and successful applicants will have the choice of which size of chair they require.
(*subject to change see *above)
If you are applying for equipment
Individual applications – items considered in this category would be tennis rackets for which a maximum grant of £100 per racket may be offered, and strings, tape and gloves (for wheelchair players). Items such as holdalls and clothing will not be considered. N. B. Sound balls are not supplied to individuals.
Group, club or project applications – A set package of equipment is available . This package will be ordered and paid for by the Trust and delivered direct to a specified address. Package will include; rackets, balls, mini nets, and coaching aids such as cones and throw down marker lines. This equipment is suitable for groups, clubs and disability programmes. (List of contents is available). Sound balls for visually impaired groups may also be applied for.
General
Maximum grant per application is £1,600 for a group, club or project and £600 for an individual. In all cases, Dan Maskell Tennis Trust will consider each application on merit. If alternative funding opportunities exist, the Trust will either suggest these or explore them on your behalf. Please give as much information as possible about your tennis activities. If you are successful in your application for a wheelchair or tennis equipment bag, you will be expected to keep this in good condition. Guidance on maintenance of wheelchairs will be provided.
For both individual and group applications – items that will not be considered include: clothing or individual transport costs, electronic equipment e.g. videos, publicity, promotions, advertising, general administration and catering at tournaments and events.
All funding is paid on a ‘reimbursement’ basis – money will not be paid in advance as a lump sum but as a reimbursement once activity has taken place. Eg the lesson and court hire has been held, and a receipt can be produced to show this. For individuals, some coaches will agree to invoice the Trust directly for your lessons, if they do not then you need to pay upfront and can then claim for reimbursement through your grant.
Eligibility
All applicants must be UK citizens and resident in the UK. Applications will be considered by the Trustees of Dan Maskell Tennis Trust which meets 4 times a year. Applications should be received by the closing date specified.
2024 Meeting dates and application deadlines:
Meeting 1 – 4 March 2024 – applications for this meeting will close on 4 February 2024
Meeting 2 – 14 May 2024 – applications for this meeting will close on 14 April 2024
Meeting 3 – 13 August 2024 – applications for this meeting will close on 7 July 2024
Meeting 4 – 25 November 2024 – applications for this meeting will close on 27 October 2024
Any application received after the deadlines above will automatically go to the next meeting. You will get an answer about your funding request within 7 days of the meeting date. If you have not heard from us by then, please contact us as this would usually mean there was an issue with communication.
(*subject to change)
Contact details
The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust
c/o 38 Smithy Lane, Lower Kingswood
Tadworth, Surrey KT20 6TX
Tel: 01737 831707
Email: info@danmaskelltennistrust.org.uk
