THE Tennis Black List will return for a second year on 27 June, 2024 to once again celebrate tennis role models from the Black community, it has been confirmed.
As well as continuing the categories from 2023, next year for the first time the public will be able to vote for two of the awards – Game Changer in the Community and coaching/performance – ensuring the awards are even richer and more collaborative.
The date for the next event, which will once again be held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, has been confirmed following the success of the inaugural Tennis Black List awards in June this year.
Founded by Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo, and supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the Tennis Black List awards took place in the run up to The Championships at Wimbledon. This was also the month that saw the Windrush 75th anniversary marked across the country recognising the broader and hugely significant contribution the Black community has made to British culture and society.
Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for LTA
Players, coaches and a wide variety of members of the tennis community gathered at a packed ceremony at the National Tennis Centre to honour tennis role models from the Black community, recognising the contribution of individuals and organisations from grassroots level up to the professional game in Britain and internationally.
We’re delighted to be continuing to support the Tennis Black List, including once again hosting the event at the National Tennis Centre
LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd
Amid a highly celebratory atmosphere, the winners were handed their awards on the night by a variety of presenters including LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd; Marsha De Cordova, Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tennis and MP for Battersea; Sanjay Bhandari, Kick it Out Chair and Garnet Mackinder, Sport England Head of Equality.
The Tennis Black List 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.
Categories for 2024 will include:
- Icon
- Game Changer in the Community
- Media
- Rising Star
- Coaching and Performance
- Players
- International Trailblazer
- Administration
Anne-Marie Batson, Co Founder Tennis Black List, said: “We are ecstatic to celebrate our prestigious Tennis Black List event again at the esteemed National Tennis Centre London, in partnership with the LTA. After the success of the 2023 event, we’re delighted to continue building a platform recognising outstanding achievements in the tennis community.
“The Tennis Black List is also a chance to inspire the next generation to dream big and accomplish remarkable things. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the event and celebrating the tennis community’s achievements.”
Richard Sackey Addo, Co Founder Tennis Black List, said: “After a fantastic inaugural event in June we’re thrilled to confirm the date of the 2024 Tennis Black List.
“The response and feedback we’ve received from different parts of the world since June has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re grateful to everyone who has supported what we’re trying to achieve. In the lead up to the 2024 Tennis Black List we look forward to continuing to grow our network and showcasing some more amazing role models doing brilliant work in our sport as well as highlighting the different opportunities and career pathways that are available in tennis.”
Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive added: “We’re delighted to be continuing to support the Tennis Black List, including once again hosting the event at the National Tennis Centre.
“This year’s very first Tennis Black List was a significant milestone in both raising awareness and celebrating the achievements of tennis role models from across the Black community.
“We are working hard to ensure black communities are more fully represented in our sport, and we know that recognising leaders helps encourage people such as players, coaches or volunteers to get involved. As we continue to work with partners such as the Tennis Black List and others across the country, I look forward to building on that ongoing work with another inspirational event next year.”
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