LOCATIONS
Adults and children ages 8 and up with intellectual disabilities are led by coaches for tennis instruction and fitness. Every player is placed on a court geared to their skill level and every court has an average 1:1 ratio of coaches and volunteers to athletes. Choose from over 20 locations around the state of North Carolina!
This is where tennis begins.
Click on a county or city near you to see details.
Click on a city or county to see programs available in that area. Don’t see one near you? Contact us about starting a new clinic
We’re excited to bring Abilities Tennis to this new location!
Location, Time, and sign-up information is coming soon
Apex Clinics
Apex Clinics are a joint partnership between Apex Parks and Recreation, Western Wake Tennis Association, and ATANC.
Parents and/or caregivers are asked to stay during the clinic. Participants will have the chance to learn the fundamentals of the game such as backhand, forehand, and groundstrokes. Racquets are provided but are limited so it is helpful if you can provide your own.
Coach Jessica Rigney
2021 Schedule
Sundays from 4:00 – 5:00pm
Dates TBD
Location
Apex Community Park
2200 Laura Duncan Rd, Apex, NC 27511
Registration
To register online: click here
Clinic registration is through the Town of Apex, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Contact Allie Prelaske for information.
919-249-3507
Volunteer Opportunities
We would love to have you help out at the clinics! Training is required. Please visit the Western Wake Tennis Association website for more information.
Asheville Clinics
A non-competitive, introductory tennis program. Players learn basic tennis skills while building strength, confidence, and social skills.
2021 Schedule
Dates and Times TBD
Registration Information
Registration is through the City of Asheville website through their Therapeutic Recreation programs.
Contact the TR Program Office at 828-259-5483 for more information.
Please bookmark this link for future clinic registration.
Belmont Clinics
Abilities Tennis in partnership with Belmont Parks and Recreation, bring you new clinics for players 8 and up.
2021 Schedule
Sundays
4:00 – 5:00pm
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Registration
Click the link to register: https://parksrec.egov.basgov.com/belmont
Location
Davis Park Tennis Courts
204 Park Dr, Belmont, NC 28012
Brunswick Southport Clinics
Two Programs: One for teens and one for adults
Middle and High School Student Clinics
Provided through the county’s Exceptional Children classes. Home schooled teens are also welcome to attend.
Location
Smithville Township District Park
8340 SE River Road
Southport, NC.
Schedule
Dates: TBD
10:30AM -12:00PM
Middle school honors students from our PEGASUS program will be there to help our adult volunteers.
Adult Clinics
Wednesdays at Smithville Park from 10:30AM – 12:00PM. We are hoping to make this a year-round program.
Dates TBD
For more information contact Karen Holbrook
Cary Clinics
Abilities Tennis clinics in Cary are a joint partnership between Cary Parks and Recreation, Western Wake Tennis Association and Abilities Tennis Association of NC. Cary clinics are for players 8 and up.
2021 Schedule
Saturdays from 4:00 – 5:00pm.
Registration
Contact Judy Newsome to register: Judy.Newsome@townofcary.org
Phone: (919) 462-2027
Location
All clinics held at Cary Tennis Park, 2727 Louis Stephens Dr., Cary, NC 27519
Volunteer Opportunities
We would love to have you help out at the clinics! Please visit the Western Wake Tennis Association website for more information.
Chapel Hill Clinics
Come join us for weekly clinics given by specially trained coaches and volunteers for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
2020 Schedule
Saturdays 4:00-5:30
More Dates Coming!
Location
The Chapel Hill Tennis Club
403 Westbrook Dr
Carrboro, NC 27510
Registration
Those interested please email Rich Green to make sure we have enough courts to accommodate players planning to come.
Clinics for Ages 8+ in partnership with Clayton Parks & Rec. Participants will learn the fundamentals, play games, and have fun! Parents and/or caregivers are asked to stay during the clinic. Buddy volunteers are provided by local high school athletes and the Clayton Youth Council.
Schedule
Mondays
May 10 – June 28 (no class May 31)
5:30-6:30PM
Location
Clayton Community Park Tennis Courts
1075 Amelia Church Road
Clayton, NC
REGISTRATION
Athletes: https://claytonncparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=5
Volunteers: https://abilitiestennisofclayton.eventbrite.com
Notes:
Participants must bring a labeled water bottle. We encourage everyone to wear sunscreen and dress in appropriate athletic attire, including footwear.
Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes early for lessons. For the safety of all participants, we encourage all parents/guardians/caretakers to observe the lessons from their vehicles or lawn chairs outside the fence.
For more COVID-19 safety guidelines from USTA Tennis, please visit: https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/national/usta-statement-on-safety-of-playing-tennis-during-the-covid-19-v.html
In the event of inclement weather, the Recreation Program Coordinator will inform the class about make-up sessions.
By crossing the ‘red line’ and entering the Clayton Community Park Tennis Courts, you are affirming:
– I do not have COVID-19.
– I have not knowingly been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 in the past 7 days.
– I do not have any symptoms of COVID-19 including a temperature/fever or chills.
– I will wear a mask the entire duration of class.
Concord Clinics
Les Myers Park
338 Lawndale Avenue
Concord, NC 28025
Sundays 4:00-5:00pm
March 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 16, 23
Head Coach Chad Oxendine
Email chad@amptennis.com to register or volunteer
Registration for athletes and volunteers: following COVID-19 safety guidelines – limited space
Goldsboro Clinics
2021 Schedule
Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Dates TBD
Location
Herman Park
900 Park Ave.
Goldsboro, NC 27533
Contact D’Leeshia Lee at DLee@goldsboronc.gov to register.
Greensboro Clinics
2021 Schedule
Sundays, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
April 11 – May 30
Location
Grimsley High School
801 Westover Terrace
Greensboro
Registration
Please email Jinni Hoggard to register.
Greenville Clinics
2021 Schedule
Dates TBD
Location
River Birch Tennis Center
516 W. Arlington Blvd
Hendersonville
You now have 2 Locations
Partnership program between ATANC, Henderson Tennis Association, Henderson Country Club & Henderson County Parks & Recreation
Ages 8 years and older and all levels of tennis experience are welcome.
Pre-Registration required for clinics.
Hendersonville Country Club
1860 Hebron Rd
Hendersonville, NC 28739
with Coach Pam Cloer
Schedule
Sundays
2:00-3:00PM
May 2 – June 6
Registration
Jackson Park
708 Glover St
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Saturdays
3:00 – 4:00pm
with Coach Dylan Jicha
Dates TBD
Registration
Will be available after dates are set
Call Hendersonville Parks and Rec to register: 828-697-4884
You can visit the office located at
708 Glover St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Abilities Tennis in partnership with the Greater Hickory Tennis Association and Hickory Parks, Recreation, and Sports Tourism bring you free tennis clinics for athletes ages 8 and up.
2021 Schedule
SATURDAYS
4:00-5:00 PM
MAY 1, 8, 15, 22
JUNE 5, 12
Location
Hickory City Park Tennis Courts
1581 12th St Dr NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Registration
Click here to register (then click on the tennis tab)
Kinston
These clinics are a partnership between Kinston Parks and Recreation Department, Radd, and Abilities Tennis.
2021 Schedule
Dates TBD
Saturdays 10:00-11:00
Registration
Registration is through Kinston Parks and Recreation
Questions? April Houston, RADD
252-522-2814
radd.lenoir@gmail.com
or Lou Welch
919-606-4917
lou@atanc.org
Location
Bill Fay Park Tennis Courts
1003 Phillips Road
Kinston, NC
Outerbanks Dare County Clinics
We’re excited to bring Abilities Tennis to this new location!
OBXTA, Dare County Special Olympics and Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina are partnering to bring tennis for athletes with any disability ages 8 years and up
Location
Kill Devil Hills Parks and Recreation Tennis Courts
602 Mustian St. Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
2021 Schedule
Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30am
Dates TBD
Pinehurst
Pinehurst Parks and Recreation department in partnership with Abilities Tennis Association of North Carolina provide these tennis clinics to athletes with intellectual disabilities ages 8 and up.
All levels of play whether you are just learning the basics or are a seasoned athlete with Special Olympics.
Parents/Caregivers are asked to stay for participants under 18.
2021 Schedule
Thursdays
5:00-6:30pm
Clinic has been postponed until Fall
Register
Visit Pinehurst Parks & Recreation Department Catalog page to register
Location
Tennis Courts, Rassie Wicker Park
10 Rassie Wicker Dr
Pinehurst, NC 28374
Please email Nicole Benbow for more information or call 919-856-6710 to register.
Raleigh Clinics
Abilities Tennis of North Carolina and Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources are pleased to present tennis Clinics for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities.
Ages 8 and up. All levels of tennis experience welcome!
2021 Schedule
Saturdays
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Head Coach John Richardson
April 10, 17, 24
May 8, 15, and 22
LOCATION
Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center
1905 Spring Forest Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615
Registration
Need help or more information? Call 919-996-2147
If no one answers, please leave a voicemail.
Volunteer
We would love to have you volunteer at the clinics! Help is needed every week. We sign Community Service Hours forms.
Questions? email Lou Welch .
Salem College Clinics
Coach Ed Steel and the Salem College Tennis Team along with Coach Charles Hunsucker host Abilities Tennis Clinics for players ages 8 and up.
2021 Schedule
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Location
Salem College Tennis Courts
https://abilitiessalemcollege.eventbrite.com
Salisbury
15 spots available for athletes (participants) and 15 for volunteers.
2021 Schedule
Saturdays, 2:00-3:00PM
Dates TBD
Cory Rockow, tennis pro at Country Club of Salisbury, is teaching the clinics along with several volunteers.
Register for one or all of the clinics depending on your schedule. Bring your tennis racquet if you have one, if not, we will provide you with one.
Volunteers
You will receive more information about a training on March 7th from 1:00 – 2:00pm before the first clinic.
Registration
Wake Forest
2021 Schedule
Saturdays 4:00 – 5:00pm
April 10, 17, 24
May 1,8,15,22
Location
Heritage High Park
1140 Forestville Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Registration
Click here or contact Kelly Schurtz at 919-435-9559 to register
For additional registration instructions and details on how to create a profile: Click here
Volunteer Opportunities
Sign up here to volunteer on a clinic day
Contact Lou@atanc.org with any questions
Wilmington Tournaments
Swing Into Spring – Annually in mid-March (starting again in 2022)
Wilmington Clinics
Join the fun and learn to play tennis. All levels from beginner to advanced. Practice includes drills, lessons, and match play.
Clinics are given by specially trained coaches and are open for all persons with intellectual disabilities. Including Special Olympics Tennis Practice
We will engage in social distancing. Masks worn until we are on the court.
Location
Althea Gibson Tennis Center
Empie Park
2021 Schedule
March 11 – Jun 10
Thursdays 4:30- 6:00pm
Athletes must register to participate. Clinic limited to 20 registrants.
Registration
Email Coach Billie Fitzsimons to register: adaptivetennisWilm@gmail.com
A Medical Waiver is required and will be emailed to you to fill out in advance.(We’ll have them available just in case)
Questions? Contact Coach Billie Fitzsimons at 910-200-4101
CLINICS UPDATE
Half of our locations are holding on-court clinics. We are still adding more dates so keep checking back.
Sign up to get email updates with Zoom clinic links and new clinic dates.
A PLACE FOR EVERYONE ON THE COURT
From beginner to highly competitive, Abilities Tennis clinics allow players to practice their skills and develop at their own pace.
Athletes perform a variety of tennis-based skills with foam or red dot balls. Coaches will also feed the ball to the athlete on a QuickStart or shortened tennis court. At tournaments, points are given for successful skill completion.
Provides a transition for athletes who have been successful on Skills Court and want to start playing points. Downsized court boundaries allow athletes to be more successful as they work on developing their foot work. Players learn tennis strategy, begin to serve, and keep perfecting stroke techniques. Singles, Doubles and Unified Doubles play.
Full court tennis practice utilizing the full tennis court and regular tennis balls. Players start with drills to perfect ground strokes, net play, and serves as well as instruction to develop match strategy. The second half of clinic involves Singles, Doubles, and Unified Doubles match play with coach instruction.
