Every Wednesday morning, Serving Autism brings players together at Hallamshire Tennis & Squash Club in Sheffield for an inclusive, autism-friendly tennis session.
Part of our Wellbeing Wednesdays programme, the session provides a calm, welcoming and supportive environment where children, teenagers and adults can enjoy tennis, develop their skills and build confidence at their own pace.
For us, success isn’t only about improving a forehand or serve. It’s about helping people be active, connect with others, grow in confidence and feel that they belong.
What is Serving Autism?
Serving Autism is designed specifically for autistic players and is built around four simple principles: support, development, inclusion and empowerment.
There is no expectation that everyone learns or plays in the same way. Coaching can be adapted to suit the individual, allowing players to progress at a pace that works for them.
Some people join us because they want to learn tennis. Others want to become more active, meet people or develop their confidence. More experienced players may want to improve their game and work towards their own tennis goals.
Different abilities. One game. Endless possibilities.
What happens during a session?
Sessions are friendly and structured, while still allowing coaches to adapt activities to the people on court.
Players can expect a familiar session structure, individualised coaching, plenty of opportunities to hit tennis balls and activities designed around movement, tennis skills, games and social interaction.
You don’t need any previous tennis experience. Beginners are just as welcome as established players.
The emphasis is on creating a positive experience and helping each person achieve something that’s meaningful to them.
More than just tennis
One of the most important parts of Serving Autism is what can happen beyond the tennis court.
Regular sport can provide opportunities to become more active, develop routines, meet new people and build confidence and independence.
That’s why Ability Tennis aims to look beyond simply counting how many people attend our sessions. We want to share the stories of the people involved and understand the difference tennis can make to their health, wellbeing, friendships, confidence and personal achievements.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing some of those stories here.
Serving Autism – session information
Every Wednesday | 10:00–11:00am
Hallamshire Tennis & Squash Club, Sheffield
£8 pay and play
No club membership required
All abilities welcome
The session is led by Ben Howarth from Ability Tennis as part of the wider Wellbeing Wednesdays inclusive programme at Hallamshire.
To find out more or arrange your first visit, email benabilitytennis@gmail.com.
Part of a wider inclusive programme
Serving Autism is one part of Ability Tennis’s growing programme of inclusive tennis and padel across Sheffield and Yorkshire.
Our work includes opportunities for autistic players, people with learning disabilities, visually impaired players, wheelchair players, Para Standing players, children with additional needs and people looking to improve their health and wellbeing through tennis.
Alongside weekly sessions, we deliver inclusive events, community outreach, coach and volunteer training, festivals and disability tennis and padel development.
Our aim is simple:
Inclusive • Active • Social
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