Desford Lawn Tennis Club

Autism-Friendly Tennis: Building Confidence Through Camps & Weekly Play

Type of programme

Desford Lawn Tennis Club offers a relaxed, autism-friendly tennis programme designed to help neurodiverse young people and their families enjoy sport in a safe, supportive environment. The club works closely with Hinckley and Bosworth Council, supporting their “Come and Try It” days as well as running dedicated holiday camps and weekly sessions throughout the year. These activities ensure that tennis is accessible for children who might otherwise find mainstream environments challenging.

Example activities

The club regularly supports the Council’s “Come and Try It Day,” giving young people with disabilities the chance to experience a variety of sports. Tennis is one of the most popular stations, introducing many participants to the sport for the first time.

Building on this success, the club runs autism-friendly holiday camps during the Easter and summer holidays, each limited to around ten participants to ensure every player receives focused support. Every child receives a personalised certificate and a small tennis-related gift — such as a grip, wristband or dampener — to celebrate their involvement.

Weekly sessions take place when the club is quiet, with numbers capped at eight to maintain quality and comfort. Activities include themed sessions — such as Grand Slam weeks, Halloween and Christmas tennis — to keep things fresh and engaging. The club also supports parents and carers by sharing information about grants, local activities, and home exercises to encourage ongoing participation beyond the sessions.

What works

A major strength of the programme is the club’s consultative approach with parents and carers, ensuring session times and formats meet family needs. The small group sizes and quiet setting have helped create a calm, enjoyable atmosphere where players can thrive. By registering with Special Olympics and promoting opportunities like Dan Maskell training days, the club provides clear pathways for participants to progress if they wish.

Funding support has enabled the club to subsidise sessions, making them accessible to more families. The blend of structured, familiar activities and a friendly, understanding environment has made the programme a trusted space for children and parents alike.

What we have learnt

Sustaining funding remains a challenge, particularly to keep sessions affordable for families. Recruiting and training enough volunteers to support individual needs can also be demanding. Some families are eager for more regular weekly provision, but expanding capacity without compromising quality requires careful management and continued financial support.

Contact Details

Graeme Chilvers

graham.chilvers@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

07966-202085