An avid fan and player, Beth Gibson always knew she wanted to share the sport of tennis with her family. When she learned her youngest son, Will, had Down syndrome, that didn't change one bit.

 

"Will was fascinated by tennis," Gibson said. "My older son and I played, and it was just one of those things he took to."

 

These days, Gibson has gone beyond just sharing with her family, and is now using the game of tennis to open new doors for hundreds of adults and children with Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes physical and mental delays.

 

Gibson started the not-for-profit Buddy Up Tennis program in late 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. Since then, her relentless work and dedication to the program has allowed it to now feature year-round programs in Columbus, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh, the program is seeing astounding growth.

 

The idea is to provide a high-energy, adaptive tennis and fitness program to individuals with Down syndrome (referred to as Athletes), exposing them to an enjoyable and supportive environment where they can learn to play tennis while also improving their athletic, social and emotional development.

 

The idea began during the summer of 2008, when Beth would take Will to watch her older son, Keegan, play. Two staff members at that particular club volunteered to take Will onto the tennis courts, and it began evolving from there. Buddy Up Tennis now involves more than 200 athletes, and is growing rapidly. The number of volunteers (referred to as Buddies) is also constantly growing, and the aim is for a one-to-one Buddy-to-Athlete ratio.

 

Currently, the Athletes participate weekly in a 90-minute clinic that includes 60 minutes of professional tennis instruction and drills, along with 30 minutes of fitness and conditioning. Many times it involves the QuickStart format utilized by the USTA and others in 10 and Under lesson plans.

 

The clinic in Monroeville, which is just outside of Pittsburgh, launched in September. USTA Middle States tennis service representative Kelle Cunningham has been a point person and volunteer for the program, assisting with the curriculum and more.

 

"I'm from the Pittsburgh area and I really wanted to bring the clinic home," Gibson said. "Right now, our Buddies range from middle school and high school students all the way to college kids, teaching professionals and coaches."

 

Aside from simply enjoying their time on the court, Buddy Up Tennis also offers plenty off the court for those with Down syndrome. It improves self-confidence and emotional strength, as well.

 

"This is their team," Gibson said of the Athletes. "My son gets up on Saturday mornings and says 'Buddy Up.' A lot of the parents say this is the first day of the week that their kids are constantly up and ready to go. There is a ton of energy and excitement, and there is a progression so the Athletes can move up different levels.

 

 

"We follow a lot of the USTA programs and also incorporate visual cues and things that are specific for individuals with Down syndrome. It has been wonderful, all-around, for the Athletes and the Buddies."

 

 

For more information on Buddy Up Tennis visit buddyuptennis.com.