Launched in September 2024, the Inclusive Player Pathway (IPP) is a five-year initiative funded by Queen’s Club Member, Aditya Mittal. It is designed to create a sustainable route into tennis for disabled children and young people across Hammersmith & Fulham, neighbouring boroughs, and the wider London and South-East region.The programme reflects a long-term commitment to ensuring that every disabled young person can enjoy, progress, and excel in the sport.
Leo Charlesworth-Mark was first introduced to the IPP after attending the Queen’s Club Foundation (QCF) Family Festival in 2023, while Emerson, then aged six, met Head of the Foundation, Kate Maurici, at a community parks wheelchair tennis event. After staying in contact with his family, Emerson was later welcomed into the programme. The IPP has since provided weekly sessions for both boys, enabling them to develop their skills, confidence, and passion for wheelchair tennis.
Their dedication has led to a remarkable achievement: Leo and Emerson have now graduated into the LTA Under-14 National Age Group Programme (NAGP), beginning January 2026. The U14 NAGP supports the development of promising junior wheelchair tennis players, preparing them to compete at a national level and ultimately progress to the U18 NAGP.
This milestone highlights the meaningful impact of QCF in supporting community players on their pathway to elite performance. Beyond their personal success, Leo and Emerson are already giving back to the programme by speaking at IPP workforce forums, including our recent disability history month event at the Club, educating others about disability tennis, and sharing their inspiring journeys.
The IPP has been made possible through the generous support of Queen’s Club Member, Aditya Mittal, whose vision was to improve the lives of children through sport. His ambition directly shaped the programme: to enhance the lives of disabled young people through tennis and provide opportunities not only to participate but also to progress and, for those with exceptional potential, to perform at the highest level.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the coach Allison Taylor and to The Queen’s Club for hosting the IPP sessions. Similarly, this success would not have been possible without the support of the LTA Wheelchair Talent Pathway team, the boys’ parents, and the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust.
The achievements of Leo and Emerson demonstrate what is possible when opportunity, support, and passion come together, and the IPP will continue to create pathways for many more young players to follow in their footsteps.
09 December 2025