Since 2010, the collaboration between the Rafa Nadal Foundation and the Vicente Ferrer Foundation has given rise to a truly transformative project: the Nadal Education and Tennis School (NETS) programme. More than 15 years of joint work have made it possible to create a comprehensive educational model that combines academic education, sport and personal development for children in vulnerable contexts.
NETS is not just a school: it is a space where real opportunities for the future are opened up. Through a holistic approach, the programme combines tennis training with English, computer skills and life skills classes, helping each student develop their full potential, both on and off the court.
Sport as a driver of inclusion and transformation
Sport has a unique power: the power to transform lives. At NETS, this philosophy extends to all children, including those in the motor disability group.
Programmes such as wheelchair tennis demonstrate that barriers can be broken down when opportunities and inclusive environments are available.
For many young people, discovering adapted sport marks a before and after in their lives. It not only improves their physical condition but also strengthens their self-esteem.
Tennis becomes a tool for finding their place in society, feeling valued and building an identity based on their abilities, not their limitations.
Lakshmi: a story of overcoming adversity
The story of Lakshmi Kumar is an inspiring example of how sport and education can change the course of a life. Born in Tadipatri, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, Lakshmi has faced significant challenges since childhood. A condition affecting the bones in his leg sometimes required him to use a wheelchair, but he never allowed it to define who he was.
His arrival at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation’s inclusive school marked a turning point. There, he not only gained access to education but also found an environment where he was treated with respect and dignity. It was in this setting that he discovered, for the first time, that sport was also for people with disabilities.
Encouraged by his teachers, he decided to try wheelchair tennis through the Rafa Nadal Foundation’s NETS programme. What began as a recreational activity soon became a true passion. Through training, tournaments and contact with other athletes, Lakshmi gained confidence and redefined his own limits.
His efforts have extended beyond the court. He has achieved excellent academic results and continues his engineering studies while training every day. He even manages his own resources to attend tennis sessions, demonstrating extraordinary determination.
Today, Lakshmi is part of a group of young people who, thanks to sport, are building a future with more opportunities. From being a child who struggled with his disability, he has found a space where he feels valued, capable and able to pursue clear goals.
A journey that redefines limits
Stories like Lakshmi’s reflect the true impact of programmes such as NETS: when opportunities are provided in an inclusive environment, young people can discover their potential and overcome any obstacle.