Recognising inclusion in sport: LTA Tennis Foundation supports the Sporting Equals Awards

The Awards are all about celebrating sporting excellence within ethnically diverse communities. This aligns with the LTA Tennis Foundation’s mission to improve lives through tennis, with a strong focus on supporting projects in underserved communities.

This award recognises an organisation or programme that has demonstrated excellence in bringing tennis to ethnically diverse communities over the past 12 months. Nominations were assessed on how the applicant has delivered positive social impact and improved lives through tennis.

Those nominated for this category had to demonstrate how they:

After public nominations closed, three organisations were shortlisted, and the winner will be decided by a combination of a public vote and an independent judging panel. The winner will be announced at the awards evening which will take place on the Saturday 18 April.

The volume and quality of public nominations were truly outstanding, and it made the shortlisting process incredibly tough. As one of our shortlisting panel members said, “You could feel the passion behind every nomination, choosing just three felt almost impossible.”

The shortlist for the LTA Tennis Foundation Community Tennis Award is detailed below. Voting is now open and closes on the Thursday 26 March. Please take a moment to read more about the impact of these amazing organisations and programmes, and cast your vote.

Together Tennis

Together Tennis delivers free, fun, and culturally inclusive tennis sessions for women and families in Birmingham, helping to remove common barriers to participation. They work with hundreds of individuals from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, with more than 80% of participants coming from diverse ethnic communities.

Sessions are adapted to meet everyone’s needs, using modified rackets, balls, mini nets, and other accessible equipment suitable for all levels and abilities. Their all‑female coaching team helps build trust and reassurance, and many women say they feel comfortable and safe learning a new sport in an all‑women environment.

Several participants also share that they would not attend mixed‑gender sessions, often due to cultural expectations or concerns about family approval.

SheCanServe

SheCanServe provides inclusive opportunities for ethnically diverse women to thrive in tennis by intentionally removing the cultural, social and confidence‑based barriers that have historically limited access and long‑term participation in the sport.

They deliver women‑only, beginner‑friendly tennis programmes, where many participants are first‑time players or returners who previously believed tennis was not for them. Sessions prioritise psychological safety, representation and enjoyment - creating an environment where women feel comfortable to learn, make mistakes and build confidence at their own pace.

They run regular weekly coaching sessions, with many women attending consistently and progressing through the programme over time. Their culture‑led approach blends tennis with music, culture and community, helping to make the sport feel welcoming, familiar and far less intimidating.

The sessions are not only about learning tennis, but also about building friendships, confidence and a long‑term community around the sport. As a Black female‑led organisation, the team’s lived experience directly shapes the way programmes are designed and delivered, ensuring participants feel understood, represented and genuinely supported.

Krimmz Girls Youth Club

KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club creates inclusive tennis opportunities for ethnically diverse girls and women by designing provision rooted in lived community experience. They address cultural, social, financial, and structural barriers through female-only sessions, subsidised or free participation and delivery in trusted local venues at times that align with school, faith and family commitments. This culturally informed approach removes fear, builds confidence and ensures participants feel safe, respected and welcome.

Their work is rooted in communities where participation has traditionally been low, particularly among ethnically diverse girls and women. The team acts as a bridge to sporting opportunities, creating accessible pathways that remove barriers such as cost, lack of representation, limited confidence, and unfamiliarity with traditional tennis environments.

Tom Gibbins, Head of LTA Tennis Foundation, said, "We’re incredibly proud to sponsor the Community Tennis Award. The three shortlisted organisations have shown remarkable dedication to breaking down barriers and creating spaces where ethnically diverse players feel welcomed, represented and able to thrive.

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