Ulster Branch Tennis Ireland Awarded Disability Sport NI’s Inclusive Sport Award

Ulster Branch Tennis Ireland (Ulster Tennis) has been awarded Disability Sport NI’s Inclusive Sport Award in recognition of their commitment to actively including more people with disabilities in their sport. The award was presented at their Annual General Meeting at the House of Sport in Belfast.

Speaking at the presentation of the award Disability Sport NI Chief Executive Officer Kevin O’Neill said,

“It is a great pleasure to present the Inclusive Sport Award to Ulster Tennis. We have been impressed at the commitment of the organisation’s team of staff, officials and volunteers to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in the sport of tennis.

“We look forward to continuing to support the inclusion work of Ulster Tennis, particularly through the development of a more inclusive workforce, a more inclusive competitor pathway and a new inclusive coaching pathway.”

Lauren Smythe, Ulster Tennis Development Manager, said;

“Ulster Tennis is delighted to achieve the Disability Sport NI Inclusive Sport Award being recognised as an Inclusive Governing Body. The process has allowed us to bring together all of the different strands of disability tennis in Ulster for people of all abilities including people with sensory, physical and learning disabilities.

“The expertise, guidance and encouragement of Disability Sport NI has been critical to the recent development of disability tennis alongside the continued partnerships and support of Sport NI, local Councils, Tennis Foundation, Enjoy Tennis and our Tennis Clubs, coaches and volunteers.  Ulster Tennis trust that achieving this award shows the value of these important relationships which we will strive to further nurture to the benefit of everyone involved at all levels of the game.”

Ulster Tennis is only one of seven Governing Bodies of Sport to have achieved the Inclusive Sport Award.