COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Learning to play tennis can be a challenge, and sometimes you need a buddy to get started. This is why one local family filled an important need in the community, when Beth Gibson hoped to introduce her son to the sport.

However, there were no resources for individuals with Down syndrome who wanted to take up tennis in 2008. This led Beth to start an adaptive tennis program that has grown from a single chapter in Columbus to 25 around the country, with expanded opportunities that include summer camps, fitness, friendship building and life skills programs.

“For the last 10 years, I’ve been on the tennis team,” said Beth’s son Will Gibson, now 16.

“Skills here on the court have given him the confidence, the physical ability to really participate in programs within Special Olympics or at school,” Beth Gibson said. “We’re really blessed. We have a great community within our parents.”

Doug DiRosario, who lives in Lewis Center and grew up in Columbus, played tennis at DeSales High School and Capital University. He has been Will’s mentor since Buddy Up Tennis started more than a decade ago, and encouraged Will hone his tennis skills.

“To see the athletes grow as people, as athletes on and off the court, has just been remarkable,” DiRosario said. Will now competes on the New Albany High School junior varsity tennis and football teams.

“It’s critically important,” said Doug Dunlope, a Westerville resident. His daughter Anna is part of the program. “Anna is involved in both the tennis, Buddy Up Tennis, but also in cooking, communication, and in financial classes, and working toward becoming more independent all the time.”

Allison Criger, a New Albany parent, has watched her daughter Ruby, who started in the program at the age of 5 in 2008, gain social confidence over the years. “What started as just tennis has grown into all her activities,” adding, “We couldn’t be more thankful.”

Buddy Up For Life created the first adaptive team tennis to play at the Western and Southern Open in Mason, with Buddy Up Tennis chapters from Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Louisville. They hope to return later this summer for the first time since 2019.

For more on Buddy Up For Life programs, click here.