Lily bound for the Australian Open

Team Special Olympics Great Britain athlete, and three-time Special Olympics World Games gold medallist, Lily Mills has been selected as a wildcard for the Australian Open Persons with Intellectual Impairment Championships.

From 26 to 28 January, 23-year-old Lily will be one of eight athletes who will contest the women’s 2024 PWII Championships at Melbourne Park, where some of the greatest players in tennis will also compete for the Australian Open.

The invitation continues a remarkable journey in tennis for Lily, who is part of Special Olympics Camden and won a gold medal, in mixed doubles alongside Adam Brownsword, and a bronze medal, in singles, for Team Special Olympics GB earlier this year at the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics World Games.

Just four days after Lily was born, she was rushed into hospital and was later diagnosed with meningitis and later septicaemia.

Critically ill and on a life support machine at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Lily’s Mum Tallulah Bayley was told that there was only a 50 per cent chance of survival and that she would have severe brain damage if she did survive.

Lily fought bravely and was subsequently diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called galactosaemia, which can impact up to one in 45,000 babies. The condition prevents her body from turning galactose into glucose and it increases toxic levels of galactose in the body. If left untreated, it causes vomiting, jaundice, brain damage, and death.

She also had cognitive impairments, including learning disabilities, an IQ of 42, short-term memory loss, poor coordination, and a tremor.

“Lily started talking relatively late. She had speech therapy and support with developing her motor schools ahead of attending nursery and a mainstream primary school,” said Tallulah.

“She had one-to-one support and some great friends who really looked after her and primary school. It got more difficult as the group got older though as her friends could be more independent, go shopping or to the cinema. Lily couldn’t so she became lonely and isolated.

“Her brother George started playing tennis from a young age and so, one day when he was training, I suggested to Lily that we have a knock.

“She enjoyed it, but unfortunately nobody at that club could support. They even suggested that she wouldn’t be able to hold a racquet. I could see that she enjoyed it so we started playing more regularly, George would practice with her and my friends got involved as well.

“When she was 12, we went to Islington Tennis Centre and the coaches welcomed her and got her playing other juniors straight away. She’s never looked back.”

Islington Tennis Centre saw potential in Lily, and she was soon competing at the LTA end of season Championships, then in Nottingham.

“Lily did amazing. She beat everyone and won the tournament. That’s when Special Olympics Great Britain was first mentioned.”

Cruelly for Lily, she broke her ankle shortly after that first tournament and so was unable to continue competing. However, whilst it was a setback, it didn’t stop her playing tennis.

“Her club ran wheelchair tennis sessions once a week and so Lily joined in,” said Tallulah. She did it for nearly three months and it was fantastic. “She’s so determined and proved that nothing could get in the way of her passion for tennis.”

After leaving Primary School, Lily attended Stormont House Secondary School for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

“Lily loved secondary school,” said Tallulah. “But when she left and started at college, it all changed again. She was bullied and would regularly come home crying and not wanting to go in.

“Tennis was ultimately her release from the bullying. Islington Tennis Centre was her second home and her desire to play went from once, to twice, and then three times per week.”

After playing in several regional events, Lily entered her first Special Olympics GB National Games in Sheffield in 2017 and won two silver medals. Tallulah was later encouraged to nominate her for the Abu Dhabi 2019 Special Olympics World Games.

“I never expected her to be selected, but she was named as one of six athletes for tennis and went on to win two golds. She recevied so much coverage, she was filmed and interviewed and even turned on the local Christmas lights. It was a very surreal time.”

Selected again for Berlin 2023 four years later, in May Lily starred in a campaign for Special Olympics GB partners Ocean Outdoor alongside members of Team GB and Paralympics GB which was shown on the world-famous screens at Piccadilly Circus.

Fellow Special Olympics GB partners Toyota also created a huge mural of Lily near to her home in North London; it is still present today near to the Emirates Stadium.

Shortly before Berlin 2023, she competed in tennis at the Virtus Games in Vichy, France, where fellow Team Special Olympics GB athlete Chris Bradley also competed in equestrian.

“Being part of Special Olympics GB has given Lily a sense of achievement and a purpose,” said Tallulah. “None of these amazing opportunities would have happened without tennis and the competition opportunities within the sport. She’s playing around 15-20 hours a week over six or seven days.

“Her life revolves around her love for tennis.

“She’s incredibly strong and I’m so proud of her for overcoming so many different challenges, to be here now playing tennis so regularly and about to compete in Australia.”

Outside of tennis, Lily volunteers at the Foundling Museum in London one day a week. She is also in the process of completing her Special Olympics GB Athlete Leadership programme and has also given talks in local schools about her journey in tennis, where she takes along her Special Olympics World Games medals.

“We’re hoping that the next stage of her development is to get a job as it would be fantastic for her to have this extra independence and be able to earn her own money,” added Tallulah. “But before that she can’t wait to get on the courts in Melbourne.”

In order to take up the invitation, a fundraising page has been created to support the cost of flights, accommodation and the opportunity for Lily to train ahead of the tournament and adjust to the hot conditions and unfamiliar time zone in Australia.

Tallulah said: “There’s been such generosity shown towards Lily and this potentially, once in a lifetime opportunity. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has shown support to Lily on this journey. There’s going to be some amazing memories made.”

To support Lily and her opportunity to compete at the Australian Open PWII Championships, please click here.