Earlier this month a local club played host to an awards ceremony celebrating “some of the most inspiring and inclusive work taking place in tennis today”.
The Mayor of Enfield, Cllr Margaret Greer, at an awards ceremony at Conway tennis club presenting an award to player Doug Balfe, accompanied by his father Dan, a tennis coach and organiser of Down Syndrome tennis competitions
The venue for the event on Tuesday 19th May was Conway Lawn Tennis Club's clubhouse in Conway Recreation Ground, and the occasion was the presentation of the John James Disability Inclusion Awards, sponsored by the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and Middlesex Tennis.
The event brought together coaches, volunteers, players, families and community leaders to recognise outstanding efforts to make tennis accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or background.
Cllr Greer with (left) David James, son of John James, OBE, in whose name the awards are presented, and Toby Bamber, Conway LTC's lead inclusion coach
Three clubs were honoured for their pioneering work in disability inclusion:
- Thistleworth Tennis Club received recognition for creating a dedicated tournament for players with Down Syndrome, providing a welcoming and competitive environment for participants who are too often underrepresented in sport.
- Highgate Tennis Club was celebrated for its outstanding and innovative work in bringing inclusive tennis into their main programmes, comprising wheelchair, walking, visually impaired and blind tennis, and helping players develop confidence, independence and competitive opportunities through specialist coaching and adapted sessions.
- Conway Lawn Tennis Club itself was recognised for its expanding programmes supporting autistic children and adults, as well as people with learning disabilities, reflecting the club’s growing reputation for inclusivity and community outreach.
Conway LTC's Chair, Graham Sievers, greets the Mayor, in her last week in office
The evening also featured “deeply moving” personal stories from players and coaches whose journeys highlighted the transformative power of inclusive sport.
Among them was Lily Mills, a multiple gold and silver medal winner at the Special Olympics, whose determination and achievements drew “huge admiration” from the audience.
Lily Mills answering a question on what it was like to play in the Special Olympics in Australia
Enfield resident Barry Churchill with his three Special Olympics gold medals for table tennis
Another notable guest was Ben Whitley, who, together with Lily, spoke about being awarded the first ever Emerging Inclusion Tennis Practitioner — an achievement that demonstrated not only personal resilience but also the importance of opening coaching pathways to a wider and more diverse range of people.
Ethan, a participant in the special tennis programmes that Conway LTC run, talked about how his experience there gave him bags of confidence and helped raise his self‑esteem
In one of her last official engagements before her term as Mayor of Enfield concluded, the awards were presented by Cllr Margaret Greer. The event was also attended by representatives from clubs across Middlesex and leaders in inclusive sport. Barry Churchill, an Enfield resident, brought along his three gold medals for table tennis won in the 1990s Special Olympics.
Graham Sievers, chair of Conway Lawn Tennis Club, said:
“Without retelling the many remarkable stories shared on the evening, it is hard to fully do justice to the event. But what came across so powerfully was the extraordinary commitment, compassion and imagination being shown by clubs, coaches and players to ensure tennis is genuinely open to everyone.
“Many people left the evening inspired and, frankly, in awe of what these players and volunteers are achieving. We were incredibly proud for Conway to host such a positive and uplifting celebration of inclusion in sport.”
Martin Etheridge, Middlesex LTA’s lead for inclusion, praised the clubs and individuals recognised during the evening and highlighted the growing momentum behind disability tennis initiatives across the county.
