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.

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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.


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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.


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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

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The TF is proud to have staged five 'National Learning Disability Tennis Events' at the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
Results for 2008

Meet the players

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Why do you like playing tennis?

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"Tennis has allowed me to come out of my shell; it's given me a platform to show people what I can do and winning medals in Shanghai has been a real boost for me."

Zara Jurenko
Tennis Gold and Silver medallist, Team GB, Special Olympics World Summer Games, Shanghai 2007

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"I am most proud of being nominated as sportsperson of the year by the Leicester Mercury along with Martin Corry and Mark Selby. I felt so proud to be nominated as a regular sportsperson, nothing to do with my disability. I am far more confident now because of my tennis."

Tom Styles
Tennis Men's Singles and Men's Doubles Gold medallist, Team GB, Special Olympics World Summer Games, Shanghai 2007