Partnering to Improve Inclusive Sports
Local parks and recreation departments play a vital role in improving the quality of life in communities. Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina (ATANC), a statewide CTA serving athletes with intellectual disabilities, recognized the value of partnering with public parks to reach a broader audience and offer them exceptional tennis experiences.
These partnerships enhance the sense of community for Abilities Tennis athletes, offering them a genuine sense of belonging as tennis players. Clinics are held when the tennis courts are bustling with activity, allowing the Abilities athletes to train and improve their skills alongside other athletes. By engaging with people at the facilities, the athletes are not defined by their disabilities but rather recognized as individuals who share a passion for tennis, just like everyone else.
Lou Welch, Executive Director of ATANC, emphasized that collaborating with parks and recreation departments has been instrumental in the growth of their programs. Welch explained that when she joined Abilities Tennis a decade ago, some clinic locations struggled to attract a small number of athletes. “Once we teamed up with local parks and recreation departments, our programs took off. For instance, in Raleigh, the decision to move clinics from a private club to a public park yielded remarkable results in terms of increased participation. We now host two weekly clinics with nearly twenty athletes per session. This success has fueled the demand for more tennis opportunities, further underscoring the effectiveness of these partnerships." Today, around seventy percent of ATANC’s 30+ clinic locations collaborate with local parks and recreation departments.
According to Christen Winstead, Program Director of Specialized Recreation and Inclusion Services for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department in Raleigh, the department seeks out organizations that align with their mission and serve the target population. “Abilities Tennis is a great fit because they have a passion for tennis and their volunteers and coaches are highly skilled and knowledgeable about the sport.” Winstead's role is to connect people with the program and partnering with Abilities Tennis allows them to reach more individuals and provide more personalized and specialized experiences.
Locally, this partnership also led Special Olympics of North Carolina (SONC) to outsource fall tennis programs to Abilities Tennis. According to Winstead, who previously served as the city's area coordinator for Special Olympics, “It made sense for Abilities Tennis to take the lead. ATANC is better equipped to provide fundamentals in adaptive instruction, offer a high level of training for advancing athletes, and specialize in serving a wider range of disabilities.”
By outsourcing the tennis program to Abilities Tennis, Special Olympics can serve more athletes, ensuring they receive year-round training and the opportunity to participate in SONC-sanctioned events and competitions alongside coaches/chaperones who are cross-trained through SONC and ATANC. This partnership enhances the overall tennis experience for athletes with intellectual disabilities within the Special Olympics program.
Lori Long, Therapeutic Recreation Manager for Asheville Parks and Recreation, also highlights the exceptional quality of instruction provided by Abilities Tennis. “To me, this partnership makes a program possible that otherwise would be difficult for us to offer. Abilities Tennis provides knowledgeable facilitators and volunteers who give participants individualized attention, leading to a successful learning environment for this population,” said Long.
This collaboration benefits both parties. The parks and recreation departments handle marketing, registration, court reservations, and background checks for the adaptive tennis programs. The parks departments provide established facilities, infrastructure, and an existing user base, while Abilities Tennis brings specialized knowledge, connections with local coaches, and expertise in delivering adaptive tennis instruction at many levels. ATANC also provides equipment, curriculum, training for coaches and volunteers, and extended programming such as tournaments, play days, exhibition matches, and leagues.
Winstead views this as a mutually beneficial relationship where both groups understand what they bring to the table. “The numbers speak for themselves - when the clinics consistently fill up every season in both sessions, it's a clear indication that they're doing something right. I'm delighted to endorse and promote this cause because everyone involved is doing exceptional work," said Winstead.
By joining forces, ATANC and local parks and recreation departments work together to foster inclusive communities and promote the overall well-being of all residents through tennis.
