The 2026 Champions of Equality award has been given to three influential leaders in the field of adapted tennis, recognizing their contributions to promoting inclusion through the sport.
Read More
Among the honorees, Connelly has established two ACEing Autism programs in Buffalo, New York. These programs focus on using tennis to enhance the fitness and social skills of children with autism. Over the years, her initiatives have positively impacted dozens of young participants and engaged hundreds of volunteers, all while expanding opportunities for adapted athletes. Colleagues have described her achievements as "well-deserved," commending her talent and dedication to the cause.
Roselius, as the director of community outreach and evaluation at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, oversees tennis programs for nearly 2,000 players. She leads various adapted tennis initiatives, including Tennis Buddies, Tennis Without Limits, and Special Olympics. In addition to her administrative role, Roselius has actively participated as a unified doubles partner and has been instrumental in launching the Heartland Challenge, which draws high-performance adaptive players from across the country to Lincoln.