Community groups inspired by special day at Nottingham
• 2 minute read
As another successful grass-court season comes to a close, hundreds of young people and families can look back on memorable experiences made possible through more than 400 tickets gifted to community groups across this summer's events as part of the LTA SERVES programme.
One of those experiences took place at the Lexus Nottingham Open, where young people from Bradford's Sunnah Sports Academy enjoyed a special day of tennis, including behind-the-scenes access, on-court activities and the chance to watch world-class players compete.
For many, it was their first time attending a professional tennis tournament, offering a unique insight into the sport and the opportunities it can provide. At the heart of the day was a simple but powerful message: tennis is for everyone.
The visit combined on-court activity, behind-the-scenes access and live matchplay, giving the group a full tournament experience. Participants took part in fun, inclusive tennis sessions led by coaches, building confidence, teamwork and new skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.
They also explored areas not usually open to the public, offering a unique insight into how a major professional sporting event is delivered and the many people and roles that help make it happen.
One of the highlights of the day was a Q&A session with Australian player Talia Gibson. Fresh from winning the women's doubles title at the Lexus Birmingham Open, Gibson spoke to the group about how she got into tennis, her journey through the sport and the dedication required to compete at the highest level. The session gave attendees the chance to ask questions and gain a first-hand insight into life as a professional athlete.
Nalette Tucker from Sunnah Sports Academy highlighted the impact experiences like this can have on the young people she works with, "Experiences like this give them a real sense of belonging. It shows them that tennis is for them and that spaces like this are welcoming and open.
"If they've never experienced it before, there can be fear or assumptions. But when they're here, walking around, smiling, being welcomed by people, it completely breaks down those barriers."
The opportunity clearly resonated with those taking part.
Aaliya Nadeem, 15, said, "I like that tennis is outside and really spacious – it's a bit tricky with the wind and I didn't know how to hold the racket at first, but it's fun, and I'd say just give it a chance because it's pretty good."
The day concluded with the group watching live matches, allowing them to connect everything they had experienced – from playing tennis themselves to hearing from a professional player and seeing elite athletes compete on court.
The experience left a lasting impression on one of the coaches Adrian Woodley-Cooper, from Metro Tennis, who saw first-hand the impact the day had on the young people.
He said: "Seeing them open up, have fun and engage with everything on offer has been fantastic.
"Experiencing professional tennis up close and feeling part of a major event can be genuinely inspiring, and it's wonderful to see opportunities like this being made available to community groups and helping more young people feel connected to the sport."
As the day progressed, Nalette also noticed a clear rise in confidence among the young people. "At the start, they can be quite quiet, hesitant to answer questions." she added. "But as the day goes on, you see them come out of their shells. They start asking questions, getting involved – their confidence grows in real time.
"Opportunities like this challenge them, but in a fun way. They're learning, developing, smiling and enjoying themselves and that's when real growth happens."
The visit forms part of the LTA SERVES programme, which supports underserved communities by providing access to tennis through free sessions, training and equipment.
Kiran Matharu, the LTA's EDI Programme Manager for Underserved Communities, said, "Days like this are incredibly powerful in showing young people that tennis is a space where they belong. By connecting communities with events like the Nottingham Open, we're not only creating memorable experiences but also opening their eyes to the opportunities within the sport.
"Through LTA SERVES, we're committed to breaking down barriers and making sure tennis is accessible to everyone."
For the young people who attended, the day was about much more than tennis - it was about confidence, opportunity and belonging.
While the grass-court season may be over, the memories and inspiration created through experiences like these will stay with them long after the final match has been played.
