LTA Tennis Foundation partner hosts inclusive 24-hour tennis festival

The event not only raises vital funds for the I Play 30 (IP30) programme, which is also supported by the LTA TF grant, but also acts as a celebration of inclusion, showcasing different formats of the game and demonstrating that tennis truly is for everyone.

IP30 provides inclusive tennis opportunities for disabled children, young people and adults. Through the programme, the charity connects tennis venues with Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools and community support groups, forming partnerships that deliver free weekly one‑hour sessions for participants.  

School groups from across the country joined in four‑hour blocks throughout the event to help keep play running for the full 24 hours. They were able to experience formats such as wheelchair tennis, visually impaired tennis and deaf tennis, strengthening the inclusive spirit of the festival, and deepening understanding of different accessible formats. 

Alongside the challenge courts, a dedicated space was reserved for the IP30 programme, where SEN groups the charity works with were invited for their own one‑hour tennis sessions. 

The impact of I Play 30 and the LTA TF grant 

In 2023, LTA TF awarded a three‑year Scale grant to Bright Ideas for Tennis to support the delivery and expansion of IP30, and since then, more than 1,000 participants have taken part in sessions. Teachers from SEN schools have reported clear benefits among their students, including increased empathy, improved concentration, and greater confidence in sharing and working with others. 

Regular weekly sessions have also helped many children build friendships and a stronger sense of belonging, reducing feelings of isolation for those who previously found group activities overwhelming. One parent whose child attended an IP30 session at the festival said: “We are seeing so many benefits from these sessions, especially learning to work with others in a team and it’s really improving his communication and confidence.” 

Since launching its Grant Making Framework, the LTA Tennis Foundation has invested £2.6m into projects that include work with disabled people, representing 70% of all funds awarded. 

Bright Ideas for Tennis Founder, Danny Sapsford, said: “The funding from LTA TF has enabled us to expand nationally with sessions now running in Wales and Scotland. It has strengthened our delivery infrastructure and the way we evidence the life‑changing impact of inclusive tennis, positioning us as a respected and trusted delivery partner for SEND schools and community venues across the UK.” 

A valued member of the LTA TF Charity Network 

As a funded LTA TF partner, Bright Ideas for Tennis is part of the LTA TF Charity Network. Membership offers several benefits, including access to use the National Tennis Centre in London and the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre for events, such as the 24-hour challenge. Being able to use these facilities free of charge means more of the charity’s resources can be directed toward delivering impactful programmes - one of the many advantages of being an LTA TF partner. 

Tom Gibbins, Head of LTA Tennis Foundation Development, said: “It is great that we have been able to host the event for Bright Ideas for Tennis again. The work they are doing to open up tennis and make it more accessible is fantastic, and I am thrilled they are a partner of the LTA TF.”