Tennis is casting a wide net in the Fredericton area. It's gaining popularity among physically challenged athletes, as a new program put on by instructors from the Capital Region Tennis Association recently demonstrated. Six players from the Fredericton region recently completed a six-week introductory Wheelchair Tennis program at the Base Gym at CFB Gagetown conducted by qualified instructors from the CRTA. The local association plans to offer the course again at the base in the new year and at the new indoor facility in Fredericton when it opens this spring. "The CRTA is working in conjunction with the Bridging the Gap Program, Tennis New Brunswick, and Tennis Canada to introduce the sport of tennis using modified equipment and court sizes as part of the Progressive Tennis teaching methodology," said Tennis New Brunswick executive director Mark Thibault. "Four newly certified tennis instructors from Fredericton introduced the participants at the base to basic stroke mechanics and fundamentals using techniques similar to those used for able-bodied athletes." The rules are modified only slightly: wheelchair athletes are allowed two bounces of the ball. "It's fun and interactive," said Stephanie Mabie, one of the athletes who completed the six week course. "I like getting out doing a sport I enjoy." Mabie saw her game improve over the six-week duration of the course. "I see an improvement in my hitting," she said. "I am proud of myself." Instructor Ruth Mullin said that, while numbers were low for the first lesson program, the participants are enthusiastic and hope to take more lessons. "Given that this is the first wheelchair tennis program offered by the CRTA, we are very pleased with the opportunity to provide instruction and to have some wheelchair athletes showing up who are very keen to learn," says Mullin. "Our hope is that participation will grow through word of mouth and there will be a larger group of wheelchair athletes ready to play tennis in the indoor tennis centre next year." Sarah Lord is thrilled to have another sport in which to compete. "I hit the ball six times during a rally," said Lord. "It's fun and it's another sport (besides basketball) I could potentially play in the Canada Games." For more information on Wheelchair Tennis and its opportunities, visit www.btgcanada.ca, an organization which encourages individuals to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle through wheelchair sport. Bridging the Gap also offers a wheelchair loan program to minimize the financial burden of participating in wheelchair sports. This aims to increase the number of people with disabilities becoming physically active and participating in recreation and sport.