Senya Rudoy - AUSRAPID

[Lord's Taverners Australia - VIC]

Senya Rudoy

 

Senya started playing in the 2004 Australian Tennis Championships conducted by Tennis Australia and supported by the Lord’s Taverners Victoria and AUSRAPID.     He is autistic and has other associated conditions, which have precluded his full involvement in social activities and necessary tennis protocols in year’s past.   As the years have passed his playing has improved markedly and in the 2011 TAC at Melbourne Park, Senya combined with Damian Phillips, NSW to contest the Men’s doubles finals and he also made it to the semi finals in the Men’s Singles.  

 

Following the 2011 event he was ranked in the top four and as such was eligible to be selected by Tennis Australia for the Global Games Tennis team.  The selection criteria stipulates that an athlete must meet the playing standards but also be able to travel independently.   Senya’s parents, Boris and Natasha approached AUSRAPID and Tennis Australia and stated that if they could pay for their travel to support Senya could he be considered.    

 

The AUSRAPID Board met and decided that in this case, special consideration would be granted to allow Senya to be selected, even though it was outside standard guidelines.  

 

Boris and Natasha, paid for their  trip and Senya’s participation.  They alternated 12 hour shifts caring for Senya’s needs and his involvement on the team was fantastic.

 

He has never travelled ever before as part of a team and you could see the daily growth in his skills.

 

He ended up playing off in the Gold medal game against the top seeded Czech player.  He won the silver in Singles and a silver in teams event and a bronze in doubles.  

 

Senya was a delight to have in the team and his progress just epitomizes what AUSRAPID represents.   Once a person is treated with respect and given the opportunity to compete in sport where the focus is on ability, then the sky is the limit to what they can achieve.

 

I was a very proud Australian on the day that Senya looked me in the eye and shook my hand.  He just kept saying ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you’.   Hi parents were extremely appreciative of the opportunity given to Senya, but I would have to say that the pleasure was all ours.

 

His parents deserve a medal for the 23 years they have had to provide full time care for Senya.   They deserve additional praise for seeing that playing sport, in this case tennis would assist Senya and his life skills.

 

If you would like more information about the work of AUSRAPID, then please contact Robyn on details below:

Robyn

Ms Robyn J Smith

Chief Executive Officer

4 Lowry Place | Benalla | Victoria | Australia | 3672 

Tel: + 61 3 5762 7494 | Mobile: [phone] | Fax: + 61 3 5762 3560 

[e-mail]  | www.ausrapid.org.au