Janco Steel Wheelchair Tennis Classic happening in Grimsby

Some of the best wheelchair tennis players in the world are in Grimsby this week taking part in the Janco Steel Wheelchair Tennis Classic at the Grimsby Tennis Club.

The tournament is in its third year and brings together 36 competitors from six different countries including as far away as Japan and Australia taking part in men’s, women’s, and quad singles and doubles competitions.

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Ron Mauro is the lead organizer and president of the Grimsby Tennis Club and says the tournament has a personal connection for him after his daughter Jillian was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2012.

“She made a promise to herself that if she wasn’t able to play able-bodied tennis, she would play wheelchair tennis and that’s what she did,” Mauro said.

Jillian, who was taking part in the tournament earlier in the week had learned there used to be a Niagara event on the calendar, but the previous sponsors had backed out.

The Mauro family reached out to family friends Janet and Al Schutten who own Janco Steel in Stoney Creek. They jumped at the opportunity to help out.

The tournament is part of the International Tennis Federation’s future series that promotes the sport’s up-and-coming players.

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Conner Stroud, who was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency and as a result, was born without femurs, hips, ankles or knees is currently ranked 35th in the world. The North Carolina native made his first ever trip north of the border and was impressed by the level of competition in the tournament.

“It’s been great, a lot of us know each other quite well, and play each other frequently, so it’s good to see a lot of familiar faces and some new faces and get to know some new people,” Stroud said.

15-year-old Charlie Cooper, was born with spina bifida, and was playing in his first ever men’s tournament, and says he’s excited for what the future holds for him in the sport.

“…My goals right now are to make LA 2028 in the Paralympics and to be top three in the world in men’s rankings,” Cooper said.

The tournament wraps up Friday, June 16. Finals start at 10 a.m. and are open to the public with free admission.

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