From Athlete to Advocate: Peter Millar's 20-Year Journey of Coaching, Competing and Giving Back

As part of National Volunteers Week and UK Coaching Week, Special Olympics GB is proud to share the inspiring story of Peter Millar from Special Olympics Ellesmere Port, Chester and Neston – an athlete, coach, Athlete Leadership Team member, and National Sports Advisor.

Peter’s sporting journey began at just four years old, when his aunt spotted his potential with a tennis racket in hand. Starting with hitting a ball against a wall in her back garden Wallasey, Merseyside, he soon joined the Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre, and never looked back.

“I’ve been playing tennis for as long as I can remember,” said Peter. “As I developed at my club, I found scoring difficult because of my intellectual disability, and that’s when my journey with Special Olympics GB began.

“I never imagined I’d one day represent Great Britain or go on to support other athletes in their development.”

Peter went on to achieve remarkable success, winning two gold medals at the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai. He also competed in INAS (now Virtus) events in Australia, Ecuador, France and Czech Republic, rising to number 6 in the world rankings for tennis players with an intellectual disability.

But at 27, Peter shifted focus to coaching, driven by a deep desire to give back.

Peter now volunteers 10–15 hours a week, supporting athletes, young players, and older adults in his local community. As a Level 1 qualified tennis coach, Peter assists at Wallasey Manor Tennis Club alongside Head Coach Nicky Smith, leading junior tennis sessions, supporting training in schools, and running sessions in care homes.

“Nicky and, fellow Wallasey Manor member, Alli Lewis, have been brilliant in helping me on my coaching journey and I’m so thankful to them for their support and encouragement,” adds Peter.

He also coaches table tennis every Saturday with Special Olympics Ellesmere Port, working with a group of around 16 athletes of mixed ability.

“What I love about coaching is helping people. I like to push them in the right direction so they can improve in the future.

“I’m always thinking about how to move them forward in their game, so we play singles, doubles and even ‘around the world’ to keep it fun and challenging.”

Peter’s proudest coaching moment came at the 2022 Special Olympics GB Summer Series of Sport, where he saw his athletes return from competition – all with medals.

“It was an emotional moment,” he recalls. “I always tell them it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, there’s always next time. But at that event they all won something. It was unforgettable.”

Living with a moderate intellectual disability, autism, and ADD, Peter says sport has transformed his life.

“When I was diagnosed with autism, I was shy and didn’t want to talk about it. Now, I’m open about it – because I want to help others. Sport has helped me grow into who I am.”

At the end of 2022, Peter was appointed to Special Olympics GB’s Athlete Leadership Team, and last earlier this year he was named as a National Sports Advisor for Table Tennis, helping to shape coaching and competition opportunities nationwide.

“It’s so important to shout about what Special Olympics GB can do. It’s a great charity that inspires everyone, and I’m proud to have been involved for more than 20 years.”