Support Georgia’s Para Standing Tennis

Hello, my name is Georgia Routledge. In 2004 I was born with Cerebral Palsy, right hemiplegia. However this wasn’t diagnosed until I started walking at the age of 2. My foot inverted causing me to trip over a lot. In 2009, I began wearing splints on the lower part of my leg to allow me to stand and walk better, and I also had a lot of physiotherapy. In 2013, I had an operation called Gastrocnemius Slide to help with the tightness in my outer calf muscle - this has left me with a visible and physical discrepancy in my calf which will always be there. I’ve also had a number of Botulinum Toxin injections in my right tibialis posterior, which helps the muscles relax; however the effects of the injections only last for a few months. Both procedures have had their benefits, but Cerebral Palsy can’t be cured and there are still challenges that I face every day. When I’m not moving around my body gets very stiff and I can struggle to even stand up after I’ve been sitting down. Once I get moving my muscles loosen up but due to having a discrepancy in my leg lengths, I also walk/run with a limp. My balance is also considerably affected due to the weakness in my right side.

Growing up, I was very keen to participate in as many sports as I could, and as part of this desire, I’ve played tennis, boxing, basketball, football and been a regular swimmer. However, tennis is the only sport that has adapted to allow me to play on an equal footing (no pun intended) against able bodied players, and that is all thanks to my coach, Donna Andrews at Tennis for Life. I joined Tennis for Life in 2010 and have been there ever since. When I was 8, I was told that the only way I could compete would be to play in a wheelchair. My parents and coach were strongly against this and it was decided that I would play with a double bounce instead. I’ve played against able bodied players my whole life in every sport, but 13 years later, this is now beginning to change for me. I recently discovered Para Standing Tennis. This is a category for people with physical disabilities who play without using a wheelchair. On the 25th November 2023, I went to the UK’s first ever Para Standing festival where I met amputees and other people with Cerebral Palsy; however I was the only female with Cerebral Palsy. This has given me even more motivation to keep on playing, in the hope that I can inspire other girls like me to join in, and enjoy the benefits that are provided by playing competitive sport.

I am raising money to allow me to carry on with this journey because there is nobody like myself to play against, and therefore I have to travel to meet people to play against.

My first tournament is in Malmö, Sweden in February 2024. The next is the European Championships in Barcelona, Spain in June 2024 shortly followed by the World Championships in Turin, Italy also in June 2024.

Any money donated will be used to help me travel around the world, inspire others and meet more people like myself. The money will go towards flights and accommodation, training costs, facilities to train in, entry fees into competitions and travel costs to and from competition venues.

Any amount that you are willing and able to contribute will be so greatly appreciated, and if you are unable to contribute money at this time, sharing this page with friends and family is just as appreciated.

I’ve waited 13 years for this opportunity and I hope that your donations will mean that other people won’t have to wait that long in the future.

I’ll be posting regular updates of my travels and the tournaments, so do please follow me on [email redacted]tledge and Facebook @Georgia Routledge.

Thank you so much!