While 2011 Wimbledon winner Sam Stosur took out Australia’s major award last night –  the Newcombe Medal – our own golden girl of the court Kelly Wren was recognised as Outstanding Athlete With a Disability.

The Newcombe Medal, presented by Tennis Australia celebrates the performances of members of the tennis family and last night at the gala event at the Palladium at Crown in Melbourne Sydney Special Olympics athlete Kelly Wren was awarded the trophy for Outstanding Athlete with a Disability. A very timely award as many people with a disability are still celebrating the annual International Day of People with Disability.

Like her counterpart, Sam Stosur who took out the major award after an amazing year, it has also been an extraordinary year for Kelly.

At this year’s Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, the largest sporting event in the world in 2011, Kelly returned home with two gold medals one in the women’s singles and one in the mixed doubles which she won alongside her brother Michael Wren. She also competed at the INIS Global Games in Italy where she won four gold medals.

Incredibly she has been undefeated in international competition in 11 years.

Kelly has been in the Special Olympics program, which provides sport and competition for people with an intellectual disability, for over 15 years and has continued to challenge herself to achieve success at every level moving through the competition ranks to reach the pinnacle of competition.

Of her journey Kelly said, ‘When i first started playing at the age of eight it took me ages to figure out the sport. When the ball came to me I'd run into it. It takes time and patience but when you are part of something like Special Olympics and you have a coach that has patience and encourages you to prepare, practice and keep going anyone with a disability can achieve their best.’

Kelly is now an accredited tennis coach, and athlete ambassador for Special Olympics Australia and is a member of the Special Olympics International Resource Team for Tennis helping to promote the development of tennis globally through the Special Olympics program.

Asked where she will be in five years time Kelly said, ‘I intend to still be playing and definitely coaching. It’s always great to give something back to other athletes and I am proud to be able to achieve my coaching certificate to let other athletes enjoy tennis.’

On receiving her award last night, Sam Stosur said, ‘It’s such an honour to win the Newcombe Medal again this year, and to have so many legendary Australian players here in the room tonight makes it even more special.’