LTA Tennis Foundation and Laver Cup unite to create a lasting legacy through tennis
• 3 minute read
The LTA Tennis Foundation is delighted to once again be a charity partner of the Laver Cup. Through several initiatives prior to and during the Tournament, funds raised via the partnership will support the LTA Tennis Foundation’s work across Britain and support the charity's mission to improve lives through tennis.
Funds will be allocated in part to the LTA Tennis Foundation’s grant-making programme, which has already positively impacted more than 34,000 people, alongside investment in Rally Together London, a three-year partnership between the Mayor of London and the LTA designed to open tennis up to more young people and communities across the capital. Over three years, Rally Together London aims to introduce 5,500 young people to tennis and recruit and train 250 volunteers, activators, coaches and community leaders from underrepresented backgrounds, especially women. This will create opportunities both on and off the court while building a tennis workforce that better reflects the diversity of London.
Shane McCullough, Delivery Manager at the LTA said: "Rally Together London is about opening up opportunities through tennis for young people and communities who may never have felt the sport was for them. By working with local partners and investing in communities underrepresented in the sport, we're creating lasting pathways into participation, volunteering and paid coaching roles, ensuring the benefits of tennis are accessible and relevant to all Londoners"
Building on the Legacy
Rally Together London builds on the success of Level Up London, an award-winning programme supported by funds raised for the LTA Tennis Foundation when the Laver Cup last came to London in 2022. While that event will always be remembered for the unforgettable tennis on display, including Roger Federer's final professional match, it also created a meaningful community legacy.
Level Up London created opportunities for young people across the capital to discover tennis, build confidence, and develop new skills. Working across 13 venues, it supported 25 community activators through mentoring and development opportunities, providing more than 60 hours of one-to-one support. More than 100 young people also took part in festival events celebrating tennis and community.
Level Up London gave me the confidence, skills and connections to turn my passion for sport into a career that makes a difference.
Participants were able to access fully funded training, helping many take their first steps into volunteering and coaching. Women and girls were at the heart of the programme, representing almost 80% of participants supported and nearly two-thirds of those who gained an LTA coaching qualification.
One person who embodies the impact of Level Up London is Isabelle Stanley. Through mentoring, new connections and hands-on opportunities, the programme helped shape her career in sport and community development. Today, she works as the Foundation Manager at The Queen's Club Foundation with the aim of "Improving Lives Through Racket Sports".
Isabelle said: "Level Up London gave me the confidence, skills and connections to turn my passion for sport into a career that makes a difference."
Isabelle's journey is exactly the kind of outcome Level Up London was designed to achieve. As the next chapter gets underway through Rally Together London, stories like Isabelle's show the lasting impact that mentoring, leadership development and community sport can have on young people's futures.
Tom Gibbins, Head of LTA Tennis Foundation Development said; "We are incredibly grateful to the Laver Cup for their support of the LTA Tennis Foundation and our mission to improve lives through tennis.
"The Laver Cup is one of the most exciting events in the sporting calendar, but its impact extends far beyond what happens on the court. Thanks to their support, we can invest in programmes that help people and communities access the unique and life changing benefits of tennis.
"The legacy of the Laver Cup's visit to London in 2022 continues to be felt today through the success of Level Up London, and we're excited to build on that through Rally Together London and our wider work across Britain. Together, we can ensure this year's event leaves a lasting impact for years to come."
