UWTSD graduate crowned Welsh visually impaired tennis champion

16 October 2026

Winning a national title would be a proud moment for any sportsman, but for UWTSD graduate, Shaun Donovan, it was a reward for years of dedication to sport, community involvement and perseverance in the face of significant health challenges.

Two men shaking hands — Graduate, Shaun Donovan (left) with Will Croft, National Wheelchair Coach for Tennis Wales who handed out prizes (right)

This summer, Shaun was crowned Trainify Cymru National Tennis Champion in the B3 category for partially sighted players, overcoming some of Wales’ leading visually impaired tennis players to take the title on his first appearance in the competition.

Since graduating from UWTSD’s BA Events Management course in 2018, Shaun has faced ongoing health challenges linked to craniopharyngioma, a rare brain tumour he was diagnosed with as a child. Despite these challenges, he has remained committed to supporting his local community in Swansea through a variety of volunteering roles, including organising live music events at a charity day centre for adults with brain injuries.

“I’ve been able to use the skills I learnt from my Events Management course to organise charity events which has been extremely rewarding,” said Shaun. “Volunteering has allowed me to meet some really interesting people and gain experiences I never expected. More recently, helping at Swansea Airport has opened my eyes to the complexity of running a facility like that and the many different ways it can support the local community.”

Looking back on his time at UWTSD, Shaun recalls both the friendships he formed and the support he received from staff.

“As a visually impaired student, I felt really well supported throughout my course,” he said. “My lecturers always made sure I had access to the materials I needed, whether that was large-print handouts or copies of lecture slides. They were always understanding and empathetic of my condition.

“What made the biggest difference was the learning support staff who helped me get the best out of what I knew. Without them, I may not have made it to graduation.”

He also fondly remembers the opportunities the course provided, including industry visits and field trips.

“Some of my best memories were meeting wonderful new people and taking part in the amazing field trips,” he said. “The ILETS London trip was fantastic. I’ll always remember standing in the Twickenham Stadium security office with the most incredible view of the stadium.”

Sport has been a constant throughout Shaun’s life. After playing rugby, competitive swimming and visually impaired football, he discovered tennis through dedicated sessions at Swansea Tennis Centre, a venue that had already played an important role in his studies, having hosted his industry placement while he was at UWTSD.

Shaun believes the sport has given him not only a competitive outlet but also a significant boost in confidence.

“Winning the title of best in Wales at the Trainify Cymru National Tennis Champion was like a dream,” he said. “I now feel like I’m capable of achieving anything. When I commit to something and focus on what needs to be done, I know I can do it, not just in tennis but in life too.”

Shaun hopes his success will encourage others with visual impairments to get involved in sport, while also raising awareness of the barriers many still face in accessing opportunities.

Looking back on his journey so far, he believes every challenge and opportunity has helped shape who he is today.

“All my experiences through sport, volunteering and university have helped me grow as a person,” he said. “I never thought I was university material, but I graduated. I never thought I’d be a Welsh sports champion, but I won the Welsh championship.

“All my experiences have shown me that when I want to achieve something, as long as I put my mind to it, it can be achieved.”