Empower Phoebe's Blind Tennis Dream Across Europe!

Hello everyone,

My name is Phoebe Jane, and reaching out like this isn't something that comes easy to me. At 48 years old, a mother of two grown children, I've faced my share of challenges, including becoming legally blind due to macular degeneration four years ago. It was a turning point: after being chair-bound from a back injury and navigating a divorce after 25 years of marriage during lockdown, I realised life was too short not to embrace every opportunity.

One such opportunity came unexpectedly through blind tennis. As someone who once avoided sports at all costs, I never imagined myself on a tennis court, let alone representing Australia at the World Blind Games 2023 in Birmingham and the International Blind Tennis Championships 2023 in Krakow, where I proudly achieved a world ranking of No. 9 in my vision category. In Australia I currently hold No. 2 ranking in B3 Women's and No. 1 in Women's Doubles.

In the 2022 Victorian Disability Sports and Recreation Awards, I was a finalist in Master Sportsperson of the year, a very proud achievement.

Discovering this sport has been transformative. It's not just about competition; it's about showing others with low vision what's possible. I'm one of only four low vision tennis coaches in Australia, passionate about sharing my journey and giving back to my community. Beyond tennis, I've embraced a wide range of activities from para ice hockey to pole dancing — each proving that limitations are only as real as you make them.

Now, I've been invited to compete in the European Championships in Poland and the World Championships in Italy in September 2024. This journey, however, comes with financial challenges. While I received some funding last year, this year, the cost is entirely on me. That's why I'm asking for your support. Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to me and help make this dream a reality.

Should I be fortunate enough to exceed my goal, any additional funds will be put towards future endeavors, including a dream of walking the Camino de Santiago. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story. Your support and generosity would not only help me achieve my sporting goals but also inspire others facing similar challenges to live their lives to the fullest.

Please consider donating and sharing my story with your network. Together, we can make this journey possible.

Thank you,

Phoebe xx

PS. If you prefer, you can make a tax deductible donation to me by quoting my name, at Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria BSRV on ph. 03 98228876 or via email blindsports.org.au