Lucy Porteous

Tennis player Lucy Porteous, 23 from Kelso has had a fantastic year since being chosen for Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens as one of 157 learning disabled athletes from England, Scotland and Wales to represent Great Britain. 2011's largest sports event with 180 countries and 7000 athletes was her first international competition. Lucy's friends, family and community were proud as she brought home a Gold medal in doubles and a Silver in singles. One week after returning Lucy was delighted to be invited as a VIP to the 2011 Davis Cup and introduced to the cheering sold-out arena. She was thrilled to meet Andy Murray and Jimmy Murray and get their autographs. Roxburgh District Sports Council presented her with an Award for Outstanding achievement. Lucy joined Special Olympics in 2008, and competed at the 2009 Special Olympics National Summer Games in Leicester to qualify for the World Games. Lucy trains twice a week at the gym, receives coaching once a week at the Kelso Orchard Tennis Club and once a week at her local Special Olympics group. Lucy spends her time between tennis, horse riding, working at Sainsbury, volunteering with the British Heart Foundation, looking after her Border terrier and attending Kelso Rugby Club home game. She regularly competes with LTA's/Tennis Foundation's National Learning Disability Tennis competitions in Nottingham and in 2010 won Silver in doubles and a Bronze in singles.