Tea & Tennis group enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the HSBC Championships
• 3 minute read
A group of grandparent carers from the Hurlingham Club Foundation’s Tea & Tennis programme were given a special behind-the-scenes tour of The Queen’s Club ahead of Day Four of the HSBC Championships, thanks to the LTA Tennis Foundation, offering a memorable glimpse into the inner workings of one of the biggest events of the British tennis calendar.
The visit welcomed participants from the Tea & Tennis project, which supports older people caring for grandchildren by providing opportunities to stay active, connect with others and reduce social isolation through regular tennis sessions.
Arriving early in the morning, the group received a warm welcome before embarking on an exclusive tour of areas typically closed to the public. Participants were taken behind the scenes to discover what it takes to deliver a world-class tournament, including a visit to the media centre where they stepped into the spotlight, sat in the press conference chairs and enjoyed imagining life as a tennis champion facing the world's media.
The experience concluded with a Q&A session with Tournament Director and former British No.1, Laura Robson, who shared insights into the tournament's operations and her own journey in the sport.
The highlight for many was the opportunity to access spaces rarely seen by fans, one participant described the experience as unforgettable, "It’s great, I wish everybody could do the tour. It’s fabulous, and it’s left me with a fabulous feeling, thank you."
The visit formed part of the LTA Tennis Foundation's ongoing commitment to improving lives through tennis, by creating unique opportunities for communities to connect with the sport beyond the court.
Amanda, Head of the Hurlingham Club Foundation, spoke on the value of this unique experience, “I think it gives them an appreciation for the huge amount of work that goes into putting on a tournament. Also the excitement. I mean, going into the media centre was brilliant. They couldn't wait to sit in the chairs and pretend to be interviewed. They were absolutely loving the experience. And I think that sense of being invited here gives a really interesting sense of, ‘I'm accepted here. It's a good place. I can belong in this place as much as I can belong in my own community.’ So I think there's real value in giving people this tour and this experience.
“What I've found really fascinating and inspiring about going around this morning with this wonderful group of women is the excitement on their faces and seeing things for the first time. Watching that play across their faces has been really wonderful. It’s been a fantastic day.”
About Tea & Tennis
Delivered by the Hurlingham Club Foundation, and funded by a grant from LTA Tennis Foundation, Tea & Tennis is a tennis project aimed at reducing isolation and increasing social connectedness, for older people who are caring for grandchildren (many of whom will be ‘looked after children’) and carers, all of whom have limited access to opportunities. The programme combines accessible tennis activities with social opportunities, helping participants build friendships, improve wellbeing and become part of a community.
Thanks to all coaches and participants in the Tea & Tennis programme, my first experience of tennis became an inspiring journey that boosted my confidence and gave me a real sense of belonging to a supportive community.
Weekly sessions are led by an LTA accredited coach and supported by volunteers from the Hurlingham Club, creating a welcoming environment where participants can enjoy physical activity while connecting with others who share similar experiences. Debra, a participant in the programme, said, "Meeting new people has inspired me to be positive through fitness."
Amanda, Head of the Hurlingham Club Foundation, said, “One of our grandparent carers, first came with an interpreter, because English is not her first language, and she walked with a stick. Now, after a few weeks of playing on a Thursday, she doesn't come with her interpreter because she feels relaxed. She's made friends with these other ladies. And she still walks with a stick, but she puts the stick down to play tennis. So the transformation in her physical ability has been fantastic.”
The daughter of the same participant highlighted the transformative effect the sessions have had on her mother, "The Tea and Tennis group has changed her life tremendously. It has given her hope, motivation, and confidence. It has helped her overcome the fear of the language barrier, and she is now much more socially integrated. Both she and I are incredibly grateful for this wonderful project and for the very positive change it has brought to my mother's life."
Through initiatives like Tea & Tennis and special experiences such as this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, the LTA Tennis Foundation continues to demonstrate the power of tennis to bring people together, improve wellbeing and create lasting connections.
