Game, Set, Belonging: Abilities Tennis Association of NC
On Tuesday, September 22, less than a week before our Golf Classic, the club talked about a different sport. Lou Welch, Executive Director of the Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina (ATANC), spoke to us about tennis for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lou brought two guests: Steve and his son Carlson, who is one of the association's top athletes. Carlson competes in tournaments across the state and the nation. Our thanks go to Jeff Marshall, who sponsored the program.
A Gap Two Parents Could Not Ignore
ATANC started in 2007 because two parents and a tennis coach saw a gap. At that time, athletes with intellectual disabilities had only a short tennis season each year through Special Olympics. These three people thought the athletes should be able to play all year. They built a program to make that possible. ATANC became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2012.
Lou has led the association since 2014. She has played tennis since she was 10 years old. She competed at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville and later at Peace College. In 2018 she received the USTA National Adaptive Tennis Community Service Award for her work.
On Tuesday, Lou explained the population that ATANC serves. IDD means intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a general term for conditions that usually start in childhood and that can affect how a person learns, communicates, and handles daily life. ATANC's mission is to promote fitness, foster community, and champion inclusion for these athletes through adaptive tennis.
From Local Courts to the US Open
The program has grown far past its first clinics. Each year ATANC reaches more than 3,000 people, including athletes, volunteers, coaches, and families. It holds more than 300 clinics, tournaments, and events at more than 30 sites across North Carolina, from Wilmington to Asheville. The programs are free for athletes. The association pays for them mainly with its annual Footprints on the Court fundraiser.
The largest stages are now open to these athletes too. In 2019 ATANC became the first adaptive program to perform on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open. This year its athletes returned to the US Open. Lou showed us a photo of the team on court, with rackets in the air.
Taking the Court to the Athletes
Lou also told us about Abilities Tennis OnSite. For many athletes, the problem is not the tennis. The problem is getting to the court. OnSite brings tennis directly to the day programs, schools, and residential facilities that serve people with IDD. This removes problems such as transportation and complex schedules. The program is built around each partner's space, schedule, and athletes.
Steve and Carlson made the numbers real for us. When an athlete like Carlson competes at the state and national level, it is clear what these programs make possible.
Why We Serve
Our club has a history with adaptive sports. We were spotters at the NC Adapted Sports cyclocross race at Dix Park, and we have heard from Made 4 Me about custom adaptive equipment. ATANC shows the same thing: when a community removes the barriers, people show what they can do.
The Four-Way Test asks: Is it fair to all concerned? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? A tennis court where every athlete has a place, and where family and volunteers stand at the fence, answers both questions. That is Service Above Self. We do not serve people from a distance. We make room for everyone to play.
We Invite You to Join Us
We meet every Tuesday at 7:30 AM at Carolina Country Club, 2500 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, and on Zoom. Our 37th Annual Capital City Golf Classic is on Monday, September 28, at North Ridge Country Club. Come play, volunteer, or just say hello. To support ATANC's athletes directly, visit atanc.org.
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