On 15 June 2019, DSActive hosted their first National Tennis Festival at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. The festival was open to players with Down’s syndrome for all levels (red, orange and green/yellow).

Photo credit: Sue Prisk

The festival was supported by the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and a total of 15 players were involved in the festival and played group matches throughout the day. At the same time as the festival, Johanna Konta (British Number 1) and Katie Swan (British Number 6) were training on the clay courts.

Fulham Badgers Tennis Disability Co-ordinator, Katy said:

“Saturday’s DSActive Tennis Festival was a great event for our Fulham Badgers Tennis Players to participate in, as it gave them a real purpose for their sessions. Quite a few of our DSActive Tennis players have not had the experience of playing games against other young people before, so it was a great to see them all out on court enjoying it. Two of our Fulham Badgers even made the Semi-Finals! Well done to DSActive for organising and we look forward to the next one!”

Photo credit: Sue Prisk

Middlesex LTA Disability Tennis Co-ordinator, Mark:

‘The DSActive Tennis Festival was a great opportunity for players to play in a competitive environment & play players from other DSActive sessions.’

The matches were played on orange courts and the rules of the festival were adapted for the players such as two bounces, serving and scoring.

Congratulations to all the players for competing in the festival. The winners of the group matches went thought to the semi-finals then final. The first winner was Lane from Delta Tennis Club in Swindon and the runner-up was Alex from Shooters Hill Lawn Club.

A big thank you to Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Fulham Foundation and Middlesex LTA. If you would like to try tennis, click here to see if there is a DSActive session near you or email the DSActive team