Pride Month 2024: The tournament that puts Pride front and centre
• 3 MINUTE READ
With LGBTQ+ Pride Month drawing to a close, we spoke to the team behind one of the country’s biggest LGBTQ+ tennis events about creating that inclusive environment, and the importance of venue allyship.
With The Championships at Wimbledon set to begin for another year, all eyes are on South West London for one of the world’s great tennis spectacles. However, for some, it’s not the event that’s circled on calendars, eagerly awaited by players coming from across Britain and from abroad. Instead, that honour goes to the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance’s (GLTA) ‘Kiss My Ace’ tournament, held at the Northern Club in Manchester every summer.
Now in its 14th year, the event, which is on the shortlist for the Tournament of the Year Award at this year’s LTA Tennis Awards presented by Lexus, has become a fixture of the GLTA calendar. Originally named ‘Northern Aces’ – the name of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ tennis club – in 2018 the event underwent a number of changes. “The concept was to create a fun tournament that reflected the passion that we all have for the game,” says tournament director Gurjeet Singh. “We wanted to show a bit of ‘northern cheek’… it’s all about coming and taking part in a safe space environment. There’s just a sense of togetherness, no matter your background.”
Kiss My Ace has been held at Manchester’s historic Northern Club since 2018’s rebrand, a move which has helped the tournament grow and attract more and more players, not just for the tennis, but for the experience. “Players have enjoyed playing on the grass, they’ve enjoyed the banquet meals and venues,” says Gurjeet, “but the greatest feedback of all is when players decide to come back to play the following year, because they love the event.”
Taking over as tournament director (TD) in 2021, Gurjeet admits that organising the event – the matches, banquet meal, gifts for all the players – is a challenge, but one, thanks to the support of a great team around him, that he’s been able to rise to. “It’s a really fast paced, stressful event, however, it’s very rewarding, when you see players appreciate the efforts and the event itself.”
With more women’s and wheelchair events planned as the tournament grows ever more popular – well over 100 people have signed up for this year’s tournament from the 19th to the 21st of July – Gurjeet is keen to remain as TD for a while yet, with the goal for the event clear in his mind. “We would love the event to get as much exposure as possible, [attracting] new players from around the UK who never knew such tournaments existed.”
“Being an ally isn’t just about hosting events”
The Northern Club is a venue with a storied history, having hosted historic international tournaments featuring icons such as Billy Jean King, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras, who won his first ever grass-court title at The Northern. Hosting Kiss My Ace since 2018, club managing director Jonathan Kinsella says that the aim of fostering an inclusive environment within the sports community was a key driver behind the start of the partnership.
“We were approached with the idea of hosting the tournament and we were immediately drawn to the concept,” explains Jonathan. “Our club has always prided itself on being a welcoming space for all, and partnering with Kiss My Ace provided an excellent opportunity to further this mission. The collaborative spirit and mutual respect between our teams have made this partnership a natural fit and a positive experience for everyone involved.”
Allyship such as that demonstrated by the Northern Club in hosting the Kiss My Ace event has the potential to be transformative, not just in ensuring clubs are safe spaces for members of LGBTQ+ communities, but also by bringing about change within clubs themselves.
“Hosting the Kiss My Ace tournament has had a profoundly positive impact on the Northern Club,” says Jonathan. “The tournament has brought together a diverse group of participants and spectators, fostering a sense of unity and celebration. Additionally, it has provided our members with a unique opportunity to engage with and support the LGBTQ+ community directly. This event has reinforced our club’s values and has encouraged us to continue seeking ways to promote inclusivity and diversity in all our activities.”
For Jonathan, sports clubs being allies for LGBTQ+ communities is incredibly important. He believes they have a unique platform to promote inclusivity and acceptance, and that by hosting tournaments like Kiss My Ace and celebrating events such as Pride Days, clubs can actively demonstrate their support and commitment to diversity.
“they have created a safe space… and we are forever thankful.”
“These actions help to break down barriers and create safe, welcoming spaces for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Being an ally is not just about hosting events; it’s about fostering a culture of respect and equality within the club and the broader community. It’s a responsibility that we at the Northern Club take very seriously, and we are proud to be part of this important movement.”
The support of the Northern Club means a great deal to Kiss My Ace’s organisers. “Having The Northern’s support has been amazing,” says Gurjeet, “they have created a safe space… and we are forever thankful.”
Kiss My Ace embodies what can be achieved when a passionate group of volunteers and a club committed to promoting greater inclusivity come together, with the result being a tournament that for many is the highlight of their year, and more importantly, an event where every player can be their authentic selves, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Rally Allies
If your club or local venue would be interested in taking part in the Rally Allies programme, a programme to help guide clubs and venues become more LGBTQ+ inclusive, you can find a list of all the upcoming webinars by heading to the Pride in Tennis website.
