Opening up tennis to kids from disadvantaged backgrounds
Infinity Tennis is being proudly nominated for their outstanding dedication to making tennis accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Throughout 2024, their efforts have embodied inclusivity, transforming tennis into a powerful force for positive change and greatly increasing opportunities for young people to participate in the sport.
One of their most noteworthy initiatives, Rally for Change, was launched in partnership with Net Gain CIC. This crowdfunding campaign aimed to provide children eligible for free school meals with access to tennis. In just two weeks, the campaign raised £3.5K, supplemented by Infinity Tennis’s donation of five free spaces. This funding enabled 16 children, nominated by local schools, to enjoy a year of free tennis lessons (two sessions per week), club memberships, and their own tennis rackets. By removing financial barriers, the initiative gave these children a sense of confidence and excitement about playing tennis. Rally for Change attracted significant media attention, including coverage from the BBC: BBC Newsarticle and BBC Radio Kent programme.
Infinity Tennis also made a major contribution through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF). Over the summer, they provided free tennis camps to 280 children, offering four-hour sessions, four days a week, over four weeks. Each child was given a nutritious, home-cooked meal, ensuring their well-being while they participated. The camps were inclusive, blending fee-paying children with those attending for free, creating an environment where all participants could enjoy the experience equally and without stigma. Additional activities such as nature walks, badge-making, and colouring further enriched the programme, making it even more appealing to young attendees.
These innovative programmes highlight the transformative power of tennis to break down barriers and make a real difference in people’s lives. Infinity Tennis has shown how tennis can be used as a tool for social good and a catalyst for positive change.