6 January 2013 | Tennis Queensland

Four lucky athletes were given the chance to take to Pat Rafter Arena to play in front of a packed house at the Brisbane International. 

The athletes who took to the court; Damian Phillips, Archie Graham, Mitchell James and Joshua Holloway are supported by the Tennis Queensland Intellectual Disabilities program. 

After being treated to a tour of the players corridors, media rooms and gymnasium beforehand, the boys waited patiently in the wings of the Arena for their entrance through the player doors. 

As if on cue, top seed and World Number three Andy Murray was escorted through the corridor with his entourage, much to the utter delight of the boys.  There were many wide eyes and excited chatter and it was from this point forward they were pumped to get on court themselves. 

When the Arena doors opened and they took to the court, it wasn’t long for the nerves to disappear and their competitive side to take over.  The crowd really got into the demonstration by clapping and cheering the boys on, while Stephen Phillips the MC announced the boys’ achievements over the past few years. 

The Intellectual Disability Athlete Program is supported by Tennis Queensland, Tennis Australia and the Special Olympics. The program aims to provide all players the opportunity to be involved in tennis at their school, local club or on a more competitive level. 

Player Bio’s 

Damian Phillips is 23 years old. Damian has 7 state singles titles, 5 state doubles titles & a world mixed doubles title for Players with an Intellectual Disability. He is currently ranked 4^th in Australia.  His career highlight so far, has been playing for Australia at the 2011 Global Games in Italy. Damian is coached by Tony Polack, a Tennis Australia High Performance Coach in his home town of Coffs Harbour & is in the process of completing his Junior Development Coaching Qualification. 

Archie Graham is 19 years old and is in his 1^st year of competition. He has proven to be a consistent, tough competitor with a huge serve. He has won 3 regional tournaments in Special Olympics and won the 2012 Tennis Qld Mini Circuit. In his first state tournament he placed 3^rd in Singles and was runner-up in doubles. He is now ranked 11^th in Australia. 

Mitchell James is 19 years old. Mitchell has 3 state singles titles, 5 state doubles titles for Players with an Intellectual Disability. He is currently ranked 5^th in Australia. His career highlight so far has been playing for Australia at the 2011 Special Olympics World Games in Athens where he won Gold in Singles & Doubles. He is a qualified Hot Shots deliverer & has just completed a Junior Development Coaching Qualification. He works for his coach Wade Foster at InTennis Burpengary. Mitchell was awarded Tennis Qld’s “Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability” in 2011 & 2012. 

Joshua Holloway lives in Rockhampton, he is 15 years old. Joshua has played tennis since he was six years old. He played in the 2012 Qld Championships finishing 4^th.  In November he won Gold at the Special Olympics Junior Nationals for both singles and doubles. He is currently ranked 9^th in Australia. 

Mitchell and Joshua were runners-up in the doubles in the 2012 Australian Championships and won the doubles at the 2012 QLD Championships. 

All four players are now training hard for the 2012 Australian Championships later this month. 

To top off the demonstration, they were then able to stand inside the player’s corridor when the men’s quarter final between Nishikori and Dolgopolov walked out on to court for their match – another thing to stick in their mind. 

If you would like further information on the Intellectual Disabilities programs or opportunities please contact Tanya Corbett on 0411 762 341 or [email protected].