Celebratory Tennis Black List returns to National Tennis Centre
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Members of the tennis community gathered at a packed celebratory event for the second Tennis Black List at the National Tennis Centre, Roehampton, on Thursday 27 June.
The awards were created to honour tennis role models from black and mixed black heritage communities, recognising the contribution of individuals and organisations from grassroots level up to the professional game in Britain and internationally. The event was supported by the LTA, YC Sports and Barclays.
The winners were handed their awards by special guests including Ulrika Hogberg, Head of Community Strategy at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, James Swanson, Chair of Pride in Tennis, sports commentator Jonathan Overend and LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd who also gave the opening remarks.
The winners:
- Icon - Yannick Noah
- Game Changer in the Community – coaches Leonard Ogbonna and Tatenda Makoni
- Media - Black Spin Global
- Rising Star - Hephzibah Oluwadare
- Coaching and Performance - Ronnie Maxwell
- Players - Amarni Banks, Jay Clarke, Frances Tiafoe, Coco Gauff
- International Trailblazer - Debbie Kirkwood, Head of Performance and Events, ITF
- Administration and Officiating - Carlos Bernardes, Umpire, ATP
Tennis Black List Organisers Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said, “This was truly a night of inspiration and celebration of the black and mixed-black heritage communities’ excellence in tennis on and off the court. It’s been an honour to recognise a group of remarkable people who are the perfect embodiment of this.
Credit: James Budgen Photography
“One of the main aims for the Tennis Black List has always been to build a community to help provide more opportunities and access to our sport. Many of our guests are doing amazing work which is positively impacting the lives of so many people by breaking down barriers to sport and we want to celebrate and grow this even more.”
LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd said, “It was hugely inspiring to celebrate once again all the amazing successes and achievements of the black and mixed-black heritage communities – the 2024 winners are real role models to everyone.
“Our vision at the LTA is for tennis to be welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring to everyone. We know that seeing and celebrating the success of role models, inspires and encourages more people to get involved - whether as a player, a coach or a volunteer. We will continue to work with the wider tennis community, and others, to ensure tennis is opened up to even more people across the country who might previously not have been involved with the sport.”
The inaugural Tennis Black List was held at the National Tennis Centre last year in the run up to The Championships, Wimbledon and received widespread acclaim.
It follows the example set by the successful and respected Football Black List, created by Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds, and Rugby Black List which have demonstrated the power that celebrating black excellence can achieve in sport.
