The Tennis Foundation have teamed up with City in the Community (CITC) and Manchester City Council to get more disabled people playing tennis in the area.
Four specialist support schools recently competed in a mini tennis tournament for disabled youngsters which took place at the Manchester Tennis and Football Centre.
The five schools involved, Grange School and Melland School from Gorton, Lancasterian School from Didsbury and Piper Hill from Wythenshawe, have all previously received tennis coaching sessions in school as part of the 'One City' Disability Sport programme.
The three year programme is funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund and aims to increase sporting opportunities and develop player pathways for disabled people in Manchester.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with City In The Community and Manchester City Council to get more disabled people playing tennis. The activity that has taken place in February is just the start of the programme that will provide weekly opportunities for disabled people to play tennis across the Manchester area," said the Tennis Foundation's Disability Development Manager for the North, Dave Hillier.
The teams, which included both boys and girls, played each other in a round robin format with the emphasis being on learning the rules of tennis, enjoyment and participation.
The tournament was the first time many of the pupils had played in a competitive environment and they all demonstrated plenty of skill and sportsmanship.
Grange School eventually won the tournament to take home the 'One City' tennis trophy.
"It was fantastic to give pupils the opportunity to play tennis away from the school environment," said Andy Perry, who delivers tennis lessons as part of the programme.
"There was a range of abilities playing against each other but all pupils demonstrated good tennis skills, sportsmanship and loved playing in the tournament.''
The Tennis Foundation also ran an Inclusive Schools Course for the teachers and a Tennis Activators Course for the Manchester City coaches.
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