|Joanne Hill – Tennis BC|
Tennis BC has paired up with the Canucks Autism Network for the last few years at their Canucks Autism Network Sports Day at BC Place, where kids on the spectrum get the chance to try a variety of different sports in a fun, friendly environment. At these events, tennis has proven to be a popular sport—so popular that it was time to take it to the next level.
Working with Canucks Autism Network’s experts, Tennis BC launched a full-week, three-hours-a-day camp at the Tennis BC Hub Richmond. A group of 12 kids, each with a support worker, four Tennis BC coaches, and Tennis BC’s Provincial Community Outreach Programs Coordinator, Darran Wrighton, got the chance to learn to play.
As with any sport, tailoring the program to suit the ability of the participant is vital to success, and this was not different. With the help of support workers, kids were given opportunities to learn the basics of tennis at a pace that suited them. Physical literacy is an important life-skill, and making opportunities accessible is important for learning how to move, not just on the court, but in other aspects of life too.
Participants got to try a series of fun activities and games, all geared towards progressing through basic tennis skills, whether that meant with a lower compression ball or a beach ball, or a special, larger white tennis ball. By the end of the week, everyone could rally at their own level!
It was important to go with the flow, allowing breaks where needed and giving kids the chance to have a time out away from the business of the tennis bubble. Even when kids were provided with the chance to have free play, the majority of the kids chose to keep playing tennis! No matter what your age or ability, tennis provides a recreational opportunity that fits nearly any level.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Canucks Autism Network!
To find out more about programs, click the link here!
