LTA Tennis Foundation announces over £700,000 in funding to organisations improving lives through tennis
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As 2023 draws to a close, the LTA Tennis Foundation has announced its second round of funding totaling over £700,000, taking the total amount awarded in the foundation’s first year to £2.3 million.
Aligning with its mission to improve lives through tennis, the grants awarded will support those living in the highest areas of deprivation, working to improve life chances. There is also a focus in this round on developing career pathways into tennis for underrepresented groups of young people, creating safe and welcoming tennis sessions for isolated women and girls, and ensuring disabled people can access and play tennis.
In total 27 organisations applied in this window, and each application went through a rigorous review process and was evaluated against key themes of eligibility, assurance, capability, relevance, benefits and value.
We are pleased to say 12 organisations were successful and a wide variety of projects have been funded across the UK, including:
Achieve More Scotland who will be engaging young people in locally based tennis sessions on a weekly basis across Glasgow and Lanarkshire. The team will train local people as activators or coaches to deliver the sessions directly within their communities. Through regular engagement, positive lifestyle choices will be encouraged and reinforced.
Through this initiative, thousands of young people, who, ordinarily may not have had the opportunity to experience tennis will be offered regular coaching and activity sessions
ActiveNewham will be offering disabled people living in the Newham area access to free tennis sessions. Having found a lack of sports provision for disabled children, young people, and adults in the area they have developed sessions, working in partnership with other charities, such as Sense to deliver accessible free tennis in indoor community settings.
Age UK will develop a Walking Tennis programme for older people to improve their lives through tennis. The programme will target older people facing some of the biggest inequalities, with the belief it will improve participants' physical and mental health, social connectedness and confidence.
Get Set 4 Tennis CIC have been awarded their grant to develop a career pathway for disabled children, leading to a recognised tennis coaching qualification and a career in sport. Get Set 4 Tennis CIC hope to be a positive role model for other clubs, leading to long term improvements for disabled children and their families.
LTA Tennis Foundation Chair, Tim Lawler MBE said: “It has been informative and inspiring to once again be a part of the panel that assesses the applications the LTA Tennis Foundation receives through its grant making programme. There are so many amazing organisations out there doing brilliant things to make tennis more accessible. I am very proud and excited that we have been able to award another 12 grants and look forward to seeing the impact that these will have for the communities involved.
Achieve More Scotland Charity Business Advisor, Robert McHarg commented; “We are delighted to be working with the LTA Tennis Foundation to break down barriers and expand opportunities for young people to participate in tennis activities. Through this initiative, thousands of young people, who, ordinarily may not have had the opportunity to experience tennis will be offered regular coaching and activity sessions to develop their skills, improve their health and well-being and experience the joys of the game.”
Lisa Wildman, Director and Club Manager for Get Set 4 Tennis CIC said; “Being successful for this award will mean so much to so many. Our SEND pathway is a one of a kind course, delivering vital skills to give young people an opportunity to join a workforce. This grant will fund nearly 100 young people to become tennis leaders and also develop a clearer career pathway for any young person with additional needs. We are extremely grateful to the LTA Tennis Foundation for giving us and our community this opportunity.”
Full list of grantees
- Achieve More Scotland
- ActiveNewham
- Age Uk
- Breaking Barriers Tennis Association
- CORE & Co Foundation
- Get Set For Tennis CIC
- Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club Limited
- Ivybridge Tennis Club
- Saheli Hub
- The Access to Sport Project
- The Prince’s Trust
- The Sport Legacy Foundation
The funding windows for 2023 are now closed. We will be welcoming applications again in 2024 - check for further information.
