NEWS

Lesley Crocker, tennis coach, Manager of the South Devon Tennis Centre and mum to a 14-year-old autistic boy said: “Recently we have been seeing many young people struggling to engage in tennis lessons because they find the experience of being in a busy, loud and vibrant tennis setting too overstimulating. At the same time more and more parents are explaining to us that their children on either diagnosed autistic or on the autism diagnostic pathway.

“And this just breaks my heart, because as a mum of an autistic / neurodiverse child, I know that all parents want is for their children to be able to join in and experience everything that a neurotypical child experiences.

“In reality, many after school clubs like tennis lessons are just too over whelming for children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).  This is such a huge shame because tennis can be a great sport for a child with autism. Just the act of hitting a ball can help them to regulate their emotions, and as an individual sport they do not have to navigate the complexities of team dynamics”.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological condition that children are born with, typically children with autism struggle with communication, social interaction and sensory processing (sounds, smells and textures). This can make engaging in sporting activities with lots of other children extremely challenging.

Nationally there has been a 350% rise in children waiting for an autism assessment since the height of the Covid pandemic, with waiting times exceeding two years and in addition to this 80% of child mental health referrals in some parts of the UK are autism-related.

This is something that Lesley Crocker has firsthand experience of “through our journey towards helping our son, we have had to fight for every bit of help, to get him diagnosed, to get him mental health support and even fighting to get him into a suitable educational setting.  I am not suggesting that tennis can solve any of these issues, but it can be a fantastic vehicle to support a family like ours. Any physical activity can help a child to sleep better, carefully managed social interaction can help build confidence and even for the parents coming together with other parents going through similar experiences can be incredibly comforting”.

This January, the South Devon Tennis Centre launched specific tennis classes for children on the autism spectrum. Called Smashing Spectrum, the sessions have been designed specifically to alleviate some of the many environmental, social and communication challenges that children with autism can face.

Now in full swing the sessions are player led, with a range of tennis activities for the children to participate in on an indoor tennis court with a privacy screen. 

Elice Spicer, the South Devon Tennis Centre’s Health and Wellbeing Lead said: “We recognise that for children on the autism spectrum, and it is a spectrum, so no two children will experience things the same way, that the place, the environment and how they interact with it are just as important as the lessons themselves.

“Therefore, even before a child comes to the centre we will provide them with a video showing what to expect when they arrive. We have created a booklet explaining what the lessons will involve and once they arrive, we will then provide them with their own space away from the busy café.

“Lessons will be flexible to accommodate all needs and we will encourage parents to join in the sessions.  Should a child find it over stimulating, we will have a space for them to retreat to where they can regulate their emotions.

“Anything new or different can be challenging for children on the spectrum, so we would welcome children and their parents to visit us before starting a course, to come along and watch, meet the team and become familiar with the setting.

“And to support this initiative, reception staff, administration staff and coaches at the centre have all been trained in autism awareness, thanks to Jocelyn Wood, Mindfulness, Neurodiversity and wellbeing coach.”

Funding to support this programme has been provided by the LTA Tennis Foundation, who are funding the creation of a health and wellbeing hub at the centre, Ivybridge Town Council, who are funding equipment and screening to create a private space and Colorbridge Printing in Ivybridge who are supporting the printing of booklets and Westaway Sails, who have helped with the on court curtains.

The South Devon Tennis Centre would welcome contact from anyone who like us wants to support children with Autism and their families in South Devon.

Families who want to find out more about this programme are asked to give us a call on 01752 893700 and ask for Elise Spicer or Lesley Crocker. www.southdevontenniscentre.co.uk or Clubspark / South Devon Tennis Centre / South Devon Tennis Centre

About the LTA Tennis Foundation

The LTA Tennis Foundation is the LTA’s official charity that partners with brilliant people and organisations to improve lives through tennis. It believes every child, young person and adult should have access to the unique and life-changing benefits that tennis offers. It supports organisations throughout the whole of Great Britain with a focus on underserved communities and under-represented groups. For further information about the LTA Tennis Foundation, visit www.ltatennisfoundation.org.uk