Inclusive Tennis Academy

At ITA we are passionate about supporting children and young adults with disability to access and participate in playing tennis. 🎾

Our physiotherapy and exercise physiology programs support development of physical motor skills to achieve the functional goal of successful progression into sports such as tennis. 💙

Our beginner level tennis programs provide supportive individual or small group sessions in environments that are understanding of the individual needs and modified to best support the child or young adult no matter which stage of development they are at. 🎾

We aim to successfully transition children back into mainstream tennis programs once confidence with tennis basics are achieved. 🩵

We support transition into more intermediate tennis coaching programs for those who wish to pursue competitive disability tennis pathways. 🎾

We support coaches in understanding how best to support children and young adults with disability to participate in tennis at their physical, mental and emotional best. 💙

We support and encourage social, recreational and competitive opportunities for participation in tennis. 🎾

For more information on how we may be able to support your young person with their tennis journey please contact us on 0400422492 or email [email protected]

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A place for everyone. A game for everyone. A future for everyone.

Inclusive tennis isn’t about changing the child to fit the sport — it’s about adapting the sport so every child has the opportunity to participate, learn and thrive.

When we focus on strengths rather than limitations, provide support rather than criticism, we create sporting communities where every child has the chance to thrive.

Zero pressure, no judgement, just support to grow and develop our skills and a love for the game at our own rate 🎾💚



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What a Coach Sees
vs
What is really happening in a Neurodivergent Athlete

“He’s not listening.”
vs
His brain is trying to process instructions which may take more time whilst filter out background noise, lights and other distractions you may not have even noticed.

“He lacks effort”
vs
He is overwhelmed from the social, emotional and sensory processing demands of the training environment affecting his arousal which causes difficulty maintaining an optimal level of performance.

“He lacks confidence and commitment.”
vs
He’s had so many perceived failures in his life due to environments that didn’t support him for success that the fear of another failure is so significant that he chooses to play safe or not play at all to minimise the risk of one more failure.

“He’s inconsistent.”
vs
His nervous system is constantly adapting to the variable physical, mental, social and emotional stressors of competitive sport so performance can look vastly different one moment to the next.

“He has a poor attitude.”
vs
He cares so much that he is expending so much energy masking, overthinking, pushing through overwhelm until he eventually burns out or melts down.

For neurodivergent athletes, the behaviour isn’t the problem.
The effect of chronic nervous system dysregulation underneath is.

When coaches take the time to understand this, neurodivergent children and athletes can be supported to achieve their best.

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What is hypermobility and how does it affect tennis participation and performance? 🎾🤸🏼‍♂️

Hypermobility is a common symptom for many children with disability resulting in joints being able to move through a more than expected range of motion due to increased joint laxity.

This can cause reduced joint stability, increased fatigue, higher risk of injury, pain and discomfort, difficulty with balance and coordination, reduced body awareness.

Hypermobility can have a significant impact on tennis participation for children with disability.

While having flexible joints may look like an advantage, they can make tennis more physically demanding, leading to increased fatigue, pain, balance difficulties and reduced confidence.

Every child is different, particularly those with disability, so individual adjustments to physical activity and fitness programs are necessary to best support the child to achieve their goals and prevent risk of injury.

With the right support, tennis can help build strength, stability, coordination, body awareness, and self-confidence.

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Play On sports vouchers for children aged 5 to 17 years are now able to be used for all Inclusive Tennis Academy tennis services 🎾

Voucher information can be found at
https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/playon

For more information or to book a session with your voucher please contact us on 0400422492 or [email protected] 🎾

🎾 Supporting all children to learn, play and thrive 🎾
💙 Every child. Every ability. Every opportunity. 🩵

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Come join us for our first All Abilities Games these school holidays 🎾🎾🎾

At Tennis Plus - 19 Queen St Southport

9.00-10.30am
Friday 3rd July
Tuesday 7th July

Morning tea available at 10.30am

Small groups, ball skill games & gross motor activities. Participation awards for all the kids 🥇

Physiotherapist run and assistant support provided. Parent/carer involvement is welcomed but not necessary.

RSVP essential 0400 422 492

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