Empowering the next generation of British Tennis: Celebrating Black Tennis Mentors
• 3 minute read
At the LTA, we are committed to creating an inclusive sport where people from ethnically diverse communities feel empowered, represented, and feel they truly belong. Black History Month offers a fantastic annual opportunity to celebrate the individuals and community partners driving this ambition forward—especially given the theme this year is "Honouring Our Communities".
As part of this celebration, we are shining a spotlight on Black Tennis Mentors, one of our trusted community partners working hand in hand with us to diversify the workforce and boost Black visibility across British tennis. Black Tennis Mentors complement the LTA coaching qualification framework with community-led mentorship, practical coaching experience and continued professional development.
Community Sessions and Coach Education Pathway
Black Tennis Mentors (BTM) deliver LTA accredited community-based courses in conjunction with the LTA's workforce development centres. Arum Akom, Level 3 tennis coach and co-founder of BTM, and an LTA Activator Tutor also delivers free LTA Activator training sessions. These tailored courses and training sessions guide aspiring black coaches through the official qualification pipeline. By teaming up candidates with experienced mentors to deliver the real world, on court coaching hours required, they have helped 48 coaches complete their LTA coaching qualifications over the last two years.
Arum Akom is one of Black Tennis mentors' co-founders, helping to bring more black coaches into tennis coaching
BTM supports the coach education pathway while delivering accessible adult and youth drop in community tennis sessions across key locations, including Wimbledon Park, Finsbury Park, Butterfly Tennis Club and University of Surrey. On Saturday afternoons they also host mobile “Back It” pop-up sessions that blend tennis with an “off court” social experience.
Specifically designed to connect with Black communities, these sessions create a vital space for friendship, cultural celebration, and honest conversations about representation, access and trust in tennis. The insights gathered at these sessions are now shaping how the LTA designs programmes, partnerships and pathways for ethnically diverse communities.
Jabilayh Asante, co founder of BTM commented: “Our pop up tennis events are about creating spaces where the Black community can truly belong. Places that feel welcoming, inclusive and celebrate our culture. We want tennis to reflect who we are and make everyone feel at home on the court.”
Alexis Simms, LTA EDI development partner commented: “Black tennis history is being made around us every day. The work that BTM is doing does not always attract headlines, but their professional and social impact touches families, communities and our workforce across the country and genuinely changes people’s lives for the better, creating a feeling of belonging, and real opportunities to play and develop”.
Femi Sangowawa is the first female black tennis coach to complete her LTA level 1 and 2 qualifications with the support of the Black Tennis Mentors programme. Currently she still has a day job in the corporate world but spends her free time training small groups of adults and kids through Barclays Free Park Tennis, and offers one to one coaching in her hometown of Chingford.
Femi Sangowawa is helping to get more people in her community playing tennis
“I wish more people of colour understood that they can be in this space too. I am now focussing on my LTA Level 3 qualification, and hopefully I can inspire others to get involved. There is a Black family - a mum and her two daughters - who keep coming back to my sessions. It makes me so happy. Hopefully, in 10 or 20 years time, whatever they decide to do in life, they’ll remember me as the tennis coach who got them into the sport."
As well as clinics, workshops and mentorship programmes that have helped people like Femi get into coaching, BTM also put on events where mentors, mentees and all involved with their work can reconnect and celebrate their collective achievements. This October their annual Black History Month Exhibition now in its third year, will be a unique blend of tennis, education and engagement, providing young people and families with access to role models that will inspire them to consider tennis. The two-day exhibition is being held at Bromley Tennis Centre this weekend.
Excited about the forthcoming celebrations this weekend BTM co founder, Arum Akom, commented:
"For many this annual commemoration allows everyone from the black community and beyond to be their authentic selves. Our focus is to celebrate Black excellence in tennis, bring our community together, and recognise the individuals that support our work. Both days will be filled with tennis, music, food and plenty of opportunities to connect. If you are in the area don’t miss the opportunity to be part of something special!”
A limited number of tickets for the exhibition are still available here:
Get into coaching
Inspired by Femi’s story and the work that Black Tennis Mentors do. Take your first step on the ladder and explore coaching opportunities here.
