Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey-Addo wanted to do something special to acknowledge excellence in the tennis community. What emerged is “The Tennis Black List.”
Based in Britain, the Tennis Black List is an event modeled after similar events in football (soccer) and rugby.
Anne-Marie Baston: Black communities are underrepresented in tennis in Britain, despite many notable and unsung black leaders engaging, promoting, and developing the sport. We want to open up and strengthen pathways to different areas of the game for black people at all levels, from grassroots to elite.
Last week, Britain’s National Tennis Centre hosted Tennis Black List’s inaugural awards ceremony, supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which is the national governing body of tennis in Great Britain, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, Sporting Equals, Stats Perform Academy, and YC Sports.
—Dominic Smith and Arum Akom won the Game Changer in the Community Award, honoring individuals making a difference on the grassroots level in their community.
–Eurosport commentator Yasmin Clarke and Guardian writer Tumaini Caroyal were recognized with the Media Award.
—Ranah Stoiber and Matthias Ruggles were recipients of the Rising Star Award, which aims to champion and showcase new player talent in the UK and internationally for those under the age of 25.
—Miles Daley, Mekaya Gittens, Shola Roper, and Zack Evenden were acknowledged for their achievements in the world of training and coaching and received the Coaching and Performance Award.
–Current British stars Heather Watson and Paul Jubb were recognized by receiving the Players Award.
–The Administration Award was handed to ATP Tour Player Development Director Erika Green Kegler and LTA Performance Director Michael Bourne.
–Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams was the first recipient of the Icon Award in recognition of her trailblazing career on and off the court.
—Katrina Adams, Vice President of the ITF Board of Directors and former President of the USTA, was presented with the International Trailblazer Award for her leadership and extraordinary impact on tennis worldwide.
Michael Bourne: “I think having the Tennis Black List is a great initiative. It’s really important to have events like this to bring to life the Black tennis community.”
Read more here….
http://louis-bolling.com/2023/07/04/tennis-black-list-celebrates-leaders-throughout-the-african-diaspora/
