TennisLocal Practice Info

Tennis training for the 2012 Fall State competition will begin in mid July. Check back soon for  additional information.

The State Fall Tournament is in High Point NC Nov 3-4 2012.

We are currently seeking athletes interested in participating in our 2012 Fall Basketball Skills tournament.

If you are interested in participating in tennis or would like more information please Contact Us.

You can also view the information below, beginning with the History of the sport, all of which is available from the Tennis resource section on the SONC website.

Special Notes

  1. All athletes must have an updated participation form on file in our office and at the SONC state office BEFORE they can begin ANY practice.
  2. All athletes who hope to advance to state games MUST attend a tennis qualifier.
  3. Athletes MUST be able to travel and stay with the delegation without parents.
  4. Also, while all athletes interested in tennis are welcome to train and participate in local events, not all athletes will be selected to attend the state games.

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The information below is taken directly from the documents available from the Tennis resource section on the SONC website.

History

The tennis program continues to make strides as an up and coming lifetime sport for Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) athletes.  The sport has seen a strong growth rate over the years.  United States Tennis Association (USTA) teaching professional John Stone initiated the SONC Tennis program in 1985 in Sanford.  Tennis served as a demonstration sport for one year, and then joined the Summer Games line-up in 1986 in Charlotte and remained there until 1992.  In 1992, tennis was added to the SONC Fall Games, where it remained until 2006. After enjoying a brief stint in the SONC Midsummer Tournament, tennis was again moved to the fall. State-level competition will be offered in the fall of 2010.

Events Offered

SONC offers three different types of competition: individual skills, short court match play and full court match play.

Individual skills competition allows Special Olympics athletes to develop sport skills in a competitive format. This program is designed to serve as a stepping stone for athletes to move to match play as they master skills and learn game concepts. The individual skills offered for tennis are forehand and backhand volley, forehand and backhand groundstrokes, deuce and advantage court serves, and alternating groundstrokes with movement.

Short court match play is very similar to the USTA quick start tennis. Athletes play on a modified court (within the service boxes), and with a larger tennis ball made of compressed foam. Athletes may choose to compete in two of three short court match play events which include singles, traditional doubles, or partnered doubles (non-Special Olympics athlete partner of significant tennis ability).

Full court match play is played on a full court with traditional tennis balls. Athletes may choose to compete in singles and either traditional doubles or Unified Sports doubles.

Competition Opportunities

Divisional Qualifiers are designed to division athletes and doubles for the state-level event. Attendance and participation is mandatory to advance to state-level competition.

SONC Fall Tournament is held in High Point the first week of November.

Special Olympics National Tennis Invitational Tournament is hosted by Special Olympics North America and Special Olympics South Carolina, and is traditionally held in Hilton Head in March.

Rules & Resources

Please see the Special Olympics of North Carolina Tennis Page for a full list of current rules and resources.