Champions Program Offering Special Opportunity for Adaptive Tennis

One of Oklahoma’s premier tennis facilities is partnering with the Rankin YMCA and the Play It Forward Tennis Foundation to offer a special experience for athletes with disabilities called the Champions Program. 

The Play It Forward Tennis Foundation is an outreach foundation that celebrates the idea that anyone from anywhere should be able to play and complete.  Their focus is diversity and inclusion reach out to those with special needs and those that might not have the means to afford tennis instruction.

Beginning earlier this spring and continuing until the end of May, the Champions Program meets each Saturday for eight weeks, with sessions held for players under 18, and another for adults. USPTA certified coaches and volunteers work with each player to make any necessary modifications to ensure a successful experience. Two courts are used for teaching tennis skills with another court for fitness and agility.  A fourth court exists for coordination activities such as throwing, catching and footwork. 

Rankin YMCA approached Play It Forward about the possibility of hosting the adaptive program as a way to build upon the activities they already offered for basketball and baseball. It was an opportunity the facility never thought twice about.

“The Champions programs is one of the most rewarding programs we put on within Play it Forward,”  said David Minihan, Director of Tennis at Edmond Center Court. “There is nothing better than the joy our athletes bring all of us as coaches and volunteers.”

Nearly two dozen athletes are currently part of the Champions Program, with more than half being youth players.  The final week of the program will introduce competition with a Team Challenge to celebrate all the athletes and everything they have learned in the program.  After the 8-week program, there are plans to continue this excellent opportunity.  

Please go to www.playitforwardtennisedmond.com to learn more about this program and more.