LTA Tennis Foundation launches Levelling the Court fund to support talented players
• 3 minute read
LTA Tennis Foundation, the LTA’s official charity with a mission to improve lives through tennis, has today launched Levelling the Court, a new funding stream designed to support talented and emerging players from low-income households to create more equal access to performance pathway development opportunities in tennis.
Levelling the Court will support initiatives that identify, develop, and elevate talent from underserved communities, alongside offering targeted grants to young players already on the LTA’s performance pathway who face financial barriers to training, travel, and competition.
Funded by LTA Tennis Foundation, the programme will be delivered by the LTA’s Performance team, to deliver the greatest possible impact in opening up access to talented players.
Levelling the Court Grants will support players from low-income households on the LTA player pathways, providing targeted funding to help break down the financial barriers that can limit progression in the sport. Grants will be allocated based on a range of eligibility factors, each designed to make a meaningful and lasting difference to a player’s journey.
The first grants of up to £2,500 will open in July for 10–14-year-olds who meet the eligibility criteria. Players included on the Regional Player Development Centre long list, or those participating in the Wheelchair Player Pathway NAGP 14U programme, will be eligible to apply. This initiative is supported by an initial investment of £100,000, with a commitment to grow this, and an ambition to expand access to more age groups over time.
Alongside the grants, Levelling the Court Development Squads will look to build on a pilot currently being delivered in Manchester – the Manchester Aces Development Squad - with the support of Manchester City Council. The ambition would be to learn from and evaluate the pilot to inform the future development of the programme. Talented players exist in community settings such as parks across the country, but too often go unseen and unsupported. This programme aims to identify that raw talent and provide a pathway to develop it. By broadening access to support beyond tennis clubs, it aims to ensure that talented young players, wherever they start, have the opportunity to progress within the sport.
Initiatives like Levelling the Court are so important. Talent is found everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. This initiative isn’t just about helping young people stay in our sport; it’s about giving them a fair chance.
One of the initiatives supporters is British tennis star Naomi Broady, a former British No.2 and now a regular presenter on Sky Sports’ tennis coverage, Naomi believes initiatives such as this are vital in opening up the sport, commenting: “My family know first-hand how challenging it can be to pursue a career in tennis when you’re facing financial barriers. That’s why initiatives like Levelling the Court are so important. Talent is found everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. This initiative isn’t just about helping young people stay in our sport; it’s about giving them a fair chance. A chance to see where their journey may take them, to build self-confidence, develop resilience, and gain skills that will benefit them both on and off the court for the rest of their lives. Tennis can open doors in so many ways, and by removing financial barriers early, this kind of support can genuinely change the trajectory of a young person’s life, not just in their sporting journey.”
The aim is to learn from this pilot and expand the programme across Great Britain, bringing new pathways and opportunities to communities nationwide.
Michael Bourne, LTA Performance Director, said, “We are delighted to be working with the LTA Tennis Foundation to open up more opportunities to access performance tennis opportunities, and support players from low-income households to reach their potential. This initiative was never about finding the next British No.1. It’s about creating more equal access to our sport and removing the financial barriers that hold talented players back. LTA Tennis Foundation’s mission is to improve lives through tennis, and this fund brings that to life in a really tangible way. By opening up opportunities to those who might otherwise miss out, we’re not just supporting players; we’re shaping futures. Whether these individuals go on to compete, coach, officiate, or work in the sport in other ways, this funding creates pathways that simply wouldn’t have existed without it.”
Tim Lawler MBE, Chair of Trustees for LTA Tennis Foundation commented; “We know that tennis can transform lives - supporting wellbeing, building confidence, and creating a sense of belonging. Yet for too many young people, access to our sport is still shaped by socio-economic barriers. This funding stream is about changing that. By targeting support where it’s needed most, we’re removing barriers and opening up opportunities, ensuring that a young person’s future in tennis is defined by their passion and potential, not their financial circumstances.”
This work builds on the LTA Tennis Foundation’s broader mission to improve lives through tennis. In 2025 alone, its investment in grassroots and community tennis and padel through its Grant Making Framework generated over £21m in social value, positively impacting more than 34,000 people.
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