Competitions & eligibility
To be eligible to compete in events organised by Special Olympics or events organised by INAS-FID (International Sports Federation for People with an Intellectual Disability), athletes must register with the appropriate organisation. For more details please contact the Tennis Foundation.
Both Special Olympics and INAS-FID use internationally recognised definitions of learning disability, such as that provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations' specialist agency for health, to identify athletes eligible to compete in their respective events.
The usual Rules of Tennis apply for games and matches played by players with a learning disability.
In addition, a modified version of tennis called mini tennis can be played. It uses a smaller court, and lower compression balls to allow for success and enjoyment for all. Mini tennis can be easily applied to guide and encourage players with a learning disability in acquiring tennis skills.
Competition
4 Year Cycle of events
For players able to sustain rallies and play the full size game, Special Olympics (GB) National Games and Special Olympics World Games run on four-year cycles, just as the Olympic and Paralympic Games do, although not on the same four-year cycles.
The 12th Special Olympics World Summer Games was held in Shanghai, China in 2007. Tennis was one of the 18 full-medal sports being contested and Team GB athletes returned with a magnificent haul of five Gold, two Silver and two Bronze medals.
The Tennis Foundation also works in partnership with the UK Sports Association for People with a Learning Disability to help facilitate appropriate opportunities to play in overseas tournaments held under the umbrella of INAS-FID. INAS-FID organises elite sport competition for its INAS Registered players, including its own European Tennis Championships and World Tennis Championships, which are held in alternate years.
Annual events
The TF is proud to have staged six 'National Learning Disability Tennis Events' at the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
The 2010 event will be taking place on the 20th &21st November and will be held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre. Entry forms will be available in July 2010. Results for 2009
New Event - in 2010
The West Bridgford Learing Disability Tournament
West Bridgford Tennis Club in Nottingham staged the first Open Learning Disability Tournament outside those organised by the Tennis Foundation or Special Olympics Great Britain.
The tournament, which received grant funding from the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and support from the Tennis Foundation, Special Olympics GB and Nottinghamshire LTA, was organised by Lesley Whitehead the clubs Tennis Manager who was keen to provide further match play opportunities for people with a learning disability. Held on the indoor courts at the club over the weekend of 10th & 11th April and attracting players from across the UK, Saturday saw the players who ranged from 16 to 40+ divisioned according to their tennis ability to compete in round-robin singles boxes. Sunday saw the players teaming up to play in divisioned, round-robin doubles matches.
Supporting the athletes on court were a team of enthusiastic volunteers and ABTO qualified umpires. The atmosphere over the weekend was tremendous with lots of good tennis and fun being had by all athletes and the huge number of parents and carers. At the end of play, Chris Walker, Chairman of Nottinghamshire LTA presented the athletes with their medals and certificates. The tournament was extremely successful and it is hoped to make it an annual event.
Several local players who train at West Bridgford Tennis Club competed over the weekend.
Results