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USTA SOUTHERN 2021 WHEELCHAIR TENNIS EXCELLENCE AWARD
USTA Southern has recognized Kelly Flouhouse with the 2021 Wheelchair Tennis Excellence Award. This award honors someone in the Southern Section that demonstrates outstanding community service, on-court ability, event organization and overall promotion of wheelchair tennis. In addition to being Co-Executive Director of Wheel Serve NC, Kelly plays weekly with Wheel Serve Charlotte.
INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION HONORS GAILA FOSBINDER
The International Tennis Federation has named Gaila Fosbinder as the 2021 Junior Female Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year. Gaila competed in the 2021 BNP Paribas World Team Cup in Sardinia, Italy as well as had a career-high ranking of world No. 10 this year. She is a regular player with Wheel Serve Charlotte.
WHEEL SERVE SANDHILLS MARCHES IN THE PINEHURST 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Wheel Serve Sandhills makes its debut in the Village of Pinehurst 4th of July Parade. Carrie Cleary, a passionate and enthusiastic wheelchair player for Wheel Serve Cary and who helped spearhead the creation of Wheel Serve Sandhills, proudly marched with the support of her husband Mike, friends and Team RWB Sandhills. What an entrance into the community!
USTA SOUTHERN'S TALKING TENNIS SOUTHERN STYLE PODCAST
Kelly Flouhouse is a C-5 complete quadriplegic from a diving accident at a local pool. She was introduced to tennis while in an outpatient spinal cord injury day program at Carolinas Rehabilitation. Hear Kelly's story about her injury and how tennis brought her back to life. A discussion of the benefits of wheelchair tennis to a person's physical, mental and social wellbeing. A conversation about the accessibility of tennis for the everyday player, regardless of skill-level. Kelly explains the mission of Wheel Serve NC and its goal to bridge the gap in wheelchair tennis opportunities across the state.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION - BEYOND THE COURT
Eric Pierce was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 32 years old, while working as an equipment engineer for IBM in New York. Forced to retire due to his disability, Eric searched for purpose and quality of life. He discovered wheelchair tennis just six years later. Watch as Eric describes his journey from illness to recovery through sport. He discusses the many losses caused by Multiple Sclerosis and the difficulty in redefining his identity. Eric explains how tennis expanded his reality and gave him passion for life on and off the court. He shares his passion for mentorship, whereby helping others see their opportunities to live a happy and engaged life.
WCCB GIRLS IN THE GAME: GAILA FOSBINDER
Gaila Fosbinder was born with anthrogryposis multiplex congenita, causing multiple congenital joint contractures. Gaila has the ability to play both adaptive standing tennis as well as wheelchair tennis from a custom sport power wheelchair. Watch this WCCB television news segment where Gaila is featured in the series "Girls in the Game." See her skill, fortitude and persistence as she describes how tennis has changed her life and given her more opportunities than she could have ever imagined.
USTA NC INTRODUCES WHEEL SERVE NC
USTA NC introduces Wheel Serve NC as the newest and only known statewide wheelchair community tennis association in the country. It highlights the needs of wheelchair players and the importance of additional programming, competition, inclusivity, socialization and education. Take a look at our debut with USTA NC.