Students shine at Bunbury tennis inclusion day

More than 150 budding tennis stars hit the courts at Bunbury Tennis Club for the tennis inclusion day on Friday.

Years 4 to 6 students from Cooinda and South Bunbury primary schools, including education support and autism program classmates, put their skills to the test at a fun and inclusive round robin competition which gave children of all abilities the chance to have a go.

The initiative, which is delivered as part of Tennis Australia’s three-year partnership with Movement Disorder Foundation, aims to strengthen the confidence of students with disabilities and encourage them to get more active.

Physical education teacher Linda Hutton said it was important for the students to get involved in inclusion day, which celebrated and embraced their differences.

“It’s a nice culmination of learning tennis skills and life skills and working together no matter their differences,” she said.

Tennis West schools development co-ordinator Carina McMillen said the event was a wonderful opportunity to get students of all abilities on court.

“The event was first run in 2019 with about 60 mainstream and special education students from South Bunbury Primary School and it was so well received that it was planned as an ongoing event,” she said.

“Unfortunately the impact of the event meant we were unable to host the 2020 event.

“The significant growth in participation numbers reflects the demand for inclusive activities in sports and highlights the need to ensure these opportunities are ongoing.”