Dion Reweti competing in this year’s wheelchair tennis at the new state-of-the-art KDV Sport tennis facility.
5 November 2016
By Olivia Edwards
As thousands descend to the Gold Coast for the 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games (JPPMG), some of those are wheeling their way in to claim victory in their chosen sport.
With a select few competing in this year’s wheelchair tennis at the new state-of-the-art competition venue, the KDV Sport tennis facility will host the showdown for the first time this year.
Competitors love the opportunity the masters games has provided with the event running for its second year. Steven Fell, 53, is back for his second chance at gold, making his way from Brisbane to compete in the event.
“We all have a disability and a story, we play because we can stay fit and active and be social,” Steven said.
Steven Fell, back for his second chance at gold.
The world’s biggest and best biennial games provides the perfect platform for participants to play the game they love, socialise and enjoy sharing stories on the journey that lead them to play. For Mark Towner, 42, he started playing after an accident and has grabbed every opportunity to play since.
“I had a tree fall on me up in MacKay and had a break from my T11 to me L1,” Mark said.
“At the time, I was on the mud flats at Mackay. Three utes got bogged trying to get me out and lucky one of the guys I was with was two years into his nursing degree and knew to keep me flat, so thanks to him I’m here today.
“I was always playing sport before the accident, and wheelchair tennis became something for me to focus on rather than the disability and the situation I was in. It was a positive influence on my life at the time,” Mark said.
Mark Towner, grabbing every opportunity to play wheelchair tennis
The 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games is being held 5 – 13 November 2016 on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The event showcases competition in 43 sports and is hosting 13,000 participants from Queensland, interstate and overseas.
