Portsmouth Tennis Centre receives national award for inclusive programme

Chosen from more than 2,000 nominations across 25 different categories, Portsmouth Tennis Centre was crowned the most inclusive tennis centre in the nation, attaining the prestigious Tennis Opened Up Award.

Portsmouth Tennis Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council, and is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.

The LTA Tennis Awards recognises the vital work volunteers, coaches, officials, and players contribute to make tennis an enjoyable, safe, and accessible sport for all.

BH Live's tennis coaches work closely with the LTA and community partners to deliver an inclusive coaching framework for all.

Currently more than 400 players attend weekly tennis sessions, including people with head injuries, dementia, Down's Syndrome and visual impairments. Inclusive sessions are tailored to participants' individual needs. Adjustments to facilitate play include smaller courts, raised court lines, smaller rackets, foam tennis balls, and games played at a slower pace. The centre is also completely accessible with ramps, automatic electric doors and accessible toilet facilities.

The team actively encourages more young people to enjoy the game from an early age too. They do this by providing free to attend open days throughout the year for families to have a go at playing games and try out coaching drills. BH Live also funds and delivers coaching sessions to hundreds of school children across the city so they can try out the sport.

Last year, the team welcomed more than 1,200 attendees to its school holiday camps, with half of the places provided through Portsmouth City Council's HAF Fun Pompey programme, which is funded by the UK government. The programme providing hot meals and activity spaces for children whose families are in receipt of benefits and eligible for free school meals.

Portsmouth Tennis Centre was also the LTA Tennis Awards 2023 Hampshire & Isle of Wight winner in the 'Tennis For All Category' in recognition for bringing tennis to under-represented groups and communities throughout the city.

Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport at Portsmouth City Council said:

"It is wonderful to see the Portsmouth Tennis Centre's efforts recognised at a national level with this award, which officially now the most inclusive tennis centre in the nation!

"Encouraging healthy lifestyles in our communities, and promoting positive physical health is priority for us. We are thrilled that we are able to offer these opportunities for anyone in the city who wants to get involved with tennis, thanks to this collaboration with BH Live."

On behalf of BH Live, Macca Neaves, Tennis Manager, shared;

"We're thrilled to see our inclusive tennis programme and fantastic facilities recognised. But the real highlight is watching more people walk through our doors and give the sport a try. I'm incredibly proud of our team for their dedication, and deeply grateful to our city partners and customers - they're the true stars for stepping up and embracing tennis. We hope this inspires even more people to come along, pick up a racket, and get involved."

More information about Portsmouth Tennis Centre can be found online at bhliveactive.org.uk/tennis-centre.