Warwickshire Hosts First Inclusive Tennis County Championships at Sutton Coldfield

Written by Warwickshire Tennis

Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club, UK – Tuesday, August 26, 2025

The Warwickshire Tennis Board made history last Tuesday by staging the county’s first-ever Learning Disability Inclusive Tennis County Championships at Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club.

A total of 11 players from across the region took part, including several from the newly formed Special Olympics tennis sessions based at Sutton Coldfield. For many, it was their first taste of competition, while others brought valuable experience from the national LTA Learning Disability Tour.

Warwickshire Tennis Learning Disability County Championships 2025

To ensure fair play, competitors were split into groups based on experience and ability. One group played indoors on red courts, while the other two groups competed full-court using either green or yellow balls, depending on comfort level. Matches were structured as tie-breaks to seven points in round-robin boxes, with parents and volunteers assisting in scoring.

Referee reports highlighted the positive atmosphere and outstanding sportsmanship, noting that every player competed with a smile and a sense of camaraderie that spread throughout the club.

The inaugural champions were:

• Sherif Abdalla

• Jenson Knot

• Alex Garcia

  
  

The event was overseen by Ryan Preston, Sutton coach and board member, with support from Special Olympics GB, Alison Isaacs for managing entries, and Ian and Fiona Lang, who played a vital role throughout the day.

Organisers hailed the championships as an inspiring success, with plans already underway to expand the event further in 2026.

“This is just the beginning. We’re determined to ensure that tennis in Warwickshire is truly inclusive, offering opportunities for everyone to enjoy the game,” a Warwickshire Tennis Board spokesperson said.

With its strong debut, the championships mark a major step forward in inclusive sport across the region, reinforcing the Warwickshire Tennis Board’s mission to make tennis accessible for players of all abilities.