Tennis can be a particularly beneficial sport for adults and children with learning disabilities because along with concentration and visual/manual co-ordination, it helps develop self-esteem, focus and social skills whilst encouraging physical activity.

Tennis is easily adapted according to each player’s ability as we play with low compression balls, which travel at a much slower speed and on smaller courts to facilitate movement.  It is therefore a great way to engage people with learning disabilities in a fun and inspiring environment.

We have been very fortunate recently to receive funding from Bucks LTA along with sponsorship from King Estate Agents and Marcus Jordan Estate Agents, Green Thumb Milton Keynes, Xero and David Coles Architects and have been running free and subsidised tennis sessions at MK Snap, MacIntyre, The Redway School and Slated Row School in Milton Keynes.  All of these organisations are charities or schools supporting children, young people and adults who have a learning disability or autism to live their life their way.

We have received some great feedback:

"My son has never been active or into any sports and it has always been impossible to get him to take part in anything.  He even avoids PE at school.  Since your tennis sessions started however, he has found a new hobby and love for playing tennis.  He looks forward to the sessions each week and is disappointed when they don't run during the holidays.  They have massively increased his confidence and he now proudly tells people he regularly plays and loves tennis.  He also says it's helping him get fit, which is something he'd never even bothered with before.

The coach has been amazing with all participants and totally understands how to interact with and motivate them all.  My son has enjoyed playing with all the other participants and it's so lovely to see them all interacting without a care in the world, just enjoying their hour of tennis."

"My son has always refused to do any clubs. He finds groups difficult to navigate and often finds that instructors don't know how to deal with his sensory needs. Tennis has been the first club that not only has Harvey enjoyed, but he looks forward to attending every week. He has made friends, increased his ability to follow instructions and even his patience with turn taking has improved. He has formed an amazing bond with Justin, and classes are taught with patience, humour and skill. He has improved his tennis skills consistently and he enjoys his successes with the competitive games whilst learning to not take losing too seriously."