Get set for the 2021 LTA Tennis Awards!
• 8 MINUTE READ
The wait is almost over for the sixth instalment of the annual LTA Tennis Awards ceremony, which will be broadcast
The evening will be hosted by Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith, with a selection of players, celebrities and special guests presenting the awards to the national winners.
Dan Evans, Alfie Hewett, Andy Lapthorne, Gordon Reid and Joe Salisbury are on the five-player shortlist for the Men’s Player of the Year award, while Johanna Konta, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart, Francesca Jones and Jordanne Whiley are nominated in the Women’s Player of the Year category.
As well as celebrating the achievements of those players on the international stage, the awards also recognise the inspirational individuals involved in tennis at a grassroots, county and regional level, dedicating their precious time and energy to the sport. They also highlight the impressive achievements of schools, clubs and LTA approved tournaments.
LTA President David Rawlinson said: “The LTA Tennis Awards are a real celebration of the people that make such a big contribution to our sport, from the grassroots, through to the elite level. They celebrate the achievements made by outstanding volunteers, coaches, officials, venues and players, who are all vital in helping us to grow the game.
“I would like to congratulate all the nominees for making it to the national final and wish them the very best for Thursday evening.”
The awards will be streamed from 8pm on Thursday 24 June on the LTA Awards page, LTA Facebook page and on the LTA's YouTube channel.
Who's in contention...
All of the fantastic finalists for this year's awards are listed below in their nominated category.
Player of the Year – Female
- Harriet Dart
- Francesca Jones
- Johanna Konta
- Heather Watson
- Jordanne Whiley
Player of the Year - Male
- Dan Evans
- Alfie Hewett
- Andy Lapthorne
- Gordon Reid
- Joe Salisbury
Junior Player of the Year
- Ben Bartram
- Matilda Mutavdzic
- Arthur Fery
Club of the Year
There are over 2,600 LTA registered clubs in Britain all of which play an essential role in tennis. This year this category focused on how clubs responded to the Covid-19 pandemic and rewards those who reacted pro-actively, demonstrated support not only to their membership but also to their local community, and when permitted, provided a safe environment in which to play:
- Flitwick and Ampthill Lawn Tennis Club in Bedfordshire
- The Sundridge Park Club in Kent
- Stamford Tennis Club in Lincolnshire
- Helsby Lawn Tennis Club in Cheshire
- Giffnock Tennis, Squash & Hockey Club in Scotland
- Riverside Tennis Club in Wiltshire
- Allt-Yr-Yn Lawn Tennis Club in South Wales
Development Coach of the Year
There are nearly 6,000 LTA Accredited Coaches in Britain and this award recognises their exceptional contributions to grassroots and development tennis; whether it’s ensuring their programmes are welcoming and accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds or running LTA Youth Start sessions to get more children playing and loving the sport:
- Mekaya Gittens from Slough Tennis Club
- Mark Bullock from Middlesex
- Alex Guzder from Ashby Castle in Leicestershire
- Paul Johnson from Leeds Beckett University
- Steve Birrell from Wormit and Newport Lawn Tennis Club
- Ian Vidgen from Penzance Tennis Club
- Kari Davies from Monmouthshire
Performance Coach of the Year
This award focuses on coaches who have made a significant impact at a performance level, working with players of various ages through the LTA performance player pathway – from under 10 county and regional level players through to elite Tour players:
- Helen Parish from Essex
- Craig Veal from Surrey
- Claire Williamson from Warwickshire
- Mark Hilton from Cheshire
- Mark Openshaw from Scotland
- Ryan Bougourd from Devon
- Francesca Lewis from Wales
- Richard Crabtree in Leeds
- Ali Filmer in London
- Rob Morgan
- Ben Collingwood
Communities & Parks Award
The LTA works collaboratively with Local Authorities and organisations to improve opportunities to play tennis in park and community environments and this award is presented to a venue, group, organisation, programme or individual that has excelled in providing tennis in these settings.
- Premier Tennis, Oxfordshire
- Will to Win, London
- Wrekin and Telford Tennis Community, Shropshire
- Leeds Community Tennis Programme
- Bristol Parks Tennis
- Neath Tennis, Wales
Competition of the Year
Each year, the LTA facilitates just shy of 10,000 recreational competitions via its network of officials, organisers and County Associations. Tournaments include individual and team competitions such as local tennis leagues, Club Championships and the LTA National League.
This award pays particular attention to the efforts made by organisers and local venues during tight Covid-19 restrictions and is presented to the best and most innovative competition in 2020:
- Bucks Junior County Closed
- Jack Petchey 21st Birthday Celebration Series (Old Wilsonians’ LTC)
- 12 Counties Annual Competition
- Shotley & Benfieldside Tennis Club
- The Western LTC Club Championships
- East Gloucestershire Club Championships
- The E Y Wilkey Welsh Open
Official of the Year
Tennis competition wouldn’t happen without the dedication of nearly 1,000 officials who support the game at every level from grassroots up to elite tennis. This award recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to officiating in 2020.
- Alison Jackson from Oxfordshire
- Jacob Miles from Sussex
- Kelly Thomson from Lincolnshire
- Michael Atherfold from Cheshire
- Colin Haldenby from Scotland
- Simon Corbishley from Gloucestershire
- Olwyn Roy from Wales
Disability Award
Every month, over 13,000 disabled people play tennis in the UK, and the LTA has supported over 400 venues over the past year to deliver disability and inclusive tennis through the LTA’s Open Court programme. This award recognises exceptional delivery of disability tennis in 2020.
- No Barriers at Riverside Lawn Tennis Club in Bedfordshire
- MDL Coaching based in Surrey
- Grantham Tennis Club in Lincolnshire
- Brentwood Tennis Club in Yorkshire
- Chrysalis Tennis based in the Grampian area in Scotland
- Ben Hardwick from the University of Bristol
University of the Year
There are more than 2.2 million students who play tennis in Great Britain, and universities are contributing more than ever to British Tennis. Universities now host both National Academies and six Coach Development Centres. This award recognises those Universities who have gone above and beyond in a very challenging 2020:
- Oxford University LTC
- University of Sussex Students' Tennis Club
- University of Nottingham
- York St. John University
- University of Edinburgh
- Bristol Uni Tennis
School of the Year
Now, more than ever, we need to do everything we can to help children get active. During this year the LTA will be helping thousands of schools to ensure tennis is a core part of its sporting activity through its LTA Youth programme.
This award recognises those schools who have already implemented impressive tennis programmes for their pupils:
- Christine Dransfield and St Paul's Way Trust School in London
- Deal Parochial C of E Primary School in Kent
- Ellesmere College in Shropshire
- Dame Dorothy Primary School in Durham and Cleveland
- St Mary's Calne School in Wiltshire
Volunteer of the Year
Named after Cathie Sabin, the former LTA President whose unwavering passion for volunteers led to the launch of these awards six years ago, this award recognises the efforts made by volunteers to our sport.
There are over 25,000 volunteers in tennis who fill a multitude of roles within tennis venues, for County associations, at competitions and events, and within communities. Quite simply, tennis wouldn’t happen without the dedication of these incredible people.
- Paul Draper from Brentwood Hard Court Tennis Club in Essex
- Judi Smowton from Leatherhead Tennis Club in Surrey
- Nigel Stonier from Woore Tennis Club in Shropshire
- Paul Asensio from Hartlepool Tennis Club
- Amanda Barclay from West End LTC in Dundee
- Sarah Strawbridge from Cheddar Lawn Tennis Club in Somerset
- Melanie Dawes from Rhyl Tennis Club in Wales
Young Person of the Year
This award highlights some of the incredible young people who have stepped up during this time and gone above and beyond to continue to deliver tennis in the most innovative of ways.
- Georgia Routledge from Tennis For Life in Norfolk
- Kati Rust from Bromley Tennis Centre in Kent
- Joe Harris from Ashby Castle in Leicestershire
- Reuben Newman-Billington from Graves Tennis Centre in Yorkshire
- Katie McKay from Wormit & Newport Tennis Club in Scotland
- Beth Groves from St Budeaux Tennis Club in Devon
- Sebastian Griffiths from Whitchurch Tennis Centre in Wales
Lifetime Achievement Award
This is a very special award that recognises inspirational role models who have dedicated a staggering number of years to tennis.
- Les Cambridge from Billericay Lawn Tennis Club in Essex
- Sue Mappin based in Sussex
- Paul Hammond from Carisbrooke Lawn Tennis Club in Leicestershire
- Pat Sharp from Albany Lawn Tennis Club on the Isle of Man
- Heather Forrest from Henleaze Tennis Club in Avon
- Ann Brown from Wales
- Jan Collins from Troon
LTA President’s Award
The LTA President’s Award is our newest award and is given at the discretion of the LTA President to an individual or group for doing something exceptional in tennis. For this year’s award 10 nominees have been shortlisted.
- Peter Coniglio & Helen Abbott: Walking Tennis
- John Ramsbottom: Yorkshire LTA
- 14U County Cup Boys Team: Warwickshire County
- Michelle Collins: Tennis Sussex
- Paul Jameson: West Surrey Tennis Club
- Stuart Calow: Midlands Tennis and Grantham Tennis Club
- Peter Millar: Wallasey Manor Tennis Club, Cheshire
- Mackintosh TC Coaching Team: Cardiff
- Stuart Silvester: Norfolk LTA
- Graham Baum: Redmarley Tennis Club in Gloucestershire
