Registration is now open for USTA/Virginia’s First Annual
Summer Tennis Smash!

Special Olympic athletes and PARTNERS of all levels are welcome -  athletes will be paired with a partner for some great doubles match play.
Partners get the experience of a life-time for just $10!! Lunch, snacks, goodie bag and t-shirt included.  Proceeds allow Special Olympic athletes to enhance their tennis experience. Cash and checks are accepted, checks should be made out to “The Virginia Tennis Foundation.”
Owl Creek Tennis Center in Virginia Beach will host the event.  Everyone must be at Owl Creek no later than 8:30 am. Play begins at 9:00 until all matches are completed.  It will be a round-robin format with no-add scoring.
For more tournament information please email CLOAKING with any questions.
For information on Adaptive Tennis in Virginia please contact Donny Weed at CLOAKING .

Visit Special Olympics Virginia for more events throughout the state!

 

Tennis is a sport without boundaries. Yes, there are lines on a court; but they aren't there to exclude anyone, regardless of disability.  USTA Adaptive Tennis recognizes four main categories of players of different abilities:

  • Developmentally disabled (learning disabilities, autism, Down's Syndrome, mental retardation)

  • Physically disabled (birth defects, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy, etc.)

  • Consumers of mental health services (psychiatric disabled, emotionally disturbed)

  • At risk/environmentally disabled (substance abusers, mentally and physically abused, homeless, HIV positive individuals, persons within the juvenile justice system, etc.)

The USTA Adaptive Tennis mission is to provide opportunities to all populations to enjoy the sport of tennis, and to realize the benefits of the sport and its life changing opportunities.

Adaptive Tennis’ goal is to promote and develop recreational tennis opportunities for individuals with differing abilities and circumstances through inclusion, knowledge, and support, and by providing, where needed, adaptive programming, equipment, and teaching techniques. 
 
Tennis benefits both mind and body.  Physically, playing tennis helps to improve balance, mobility, agility, strength, fitness, and to burn calories. Mentally, tennis works on one’s focus, concentration, and reactive and problem-solving behaviors.  Emotionally it can promote self-confidence, instill feelings of success, relieve stress, and provide social outlets to meet new friends, enhance relationships, or experience great family outings.  These benefits are so much more important for those with disabilities, in special life situations, or with special circumstances.

 

USTA/Virginia Tennis Organizations Incorporating an Adaptive Tennis Component:

Owl Creek Tennis Center

Sportable Richmond Adaptive Sports

Virginia Amateur Sports

Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind

 

Resources

Find A Program

Fundamentals of Adapting the Game

USTA Manual for Teaching Adaptive Tennis 

(In Spanish/En Espanol)

Special Olympics-Virginia

 

 

If you would like more information on Adaptive Tennis and/or would like to start a program in your area, please contact Donny Weed at CLOAKING