BRANDON, Fla. — The City of Tampa recently recognized Judy Moore, who co-founded Tennis for Fun, for all her efforts in providing an adaptive sport to families with disabilities.

“When you see all the athletes and what it means to them,” said Judy Moore. “And seeing them, inspires you to keep going.”

An idea that began 26 years ago is still bringing fun in tennis and bringing the community together.

What You Need To Know

 City of Tampa recognized Judy Moore for her efforts in leading Tennis for Fun program for special needs families

 Moore is the national director of the program which has 19 locations in Florida and 8 beyond the Sunshine State

 She co-founded the program with her son Nathan

Moore leads the training of special needs athletes in the sport of tennis and some of them even qualify for the Special Olympics.

Tennis for Fun started out as a place to include everyone.

“For special needs athletes,” Moore said. “Most of them are out of school. We started in 2000, and a lot of the athletes have been with us for 26 years.”

Judy’s son, Nathan is the other co-founder.

He was a senior at Tampa’s Jesuit High School when he thought of the idea to start an organization to help special needs athletes learn how to play tennis.

The group has now expanded to nineteen locations statewide and eight beyond Florida.

They are free tennis clinics, run entirely by volunteers.

Ann Dunleavy volunteered first, before learning how to play.

“I got challenged by some of the athletes here,” Dunleavy said. “So, I had to buy a racket and learn so I could play with them.”

The lesson learned is a simple one.

“It just warms your heart,” she said. “It shows you what’s important in your world.”

But there is also a force behind the fun.

From directing stretching exercises in two languages to directing the action on the courts, Moore is playing more than just tennis.

“You want to leave an imprint on the world, and I just feel like this is my thing,” Moore said. “It’s my community, Tennis for Fun, it’s like part of my family, we are a family.”

Moore is bringing the community together and offering more than fun to people in our community who might not have the chance.

And for the 26 years, Moore’s community has been thanking her.

“Judy is an angel,” said one coach.

“I love Miss Judy more than anything. She is so wonderful,” said a participant.

“She always puts everybody else in front of her first,” Dunleavy said. “All the time.”