The Queen’s Club Foundation – Summer Update 2023

Following successful engagement during the cinch Championships, The Queen’s Club Foundation has been very active over the summer.

Our pioneering Community Club Festival came to The Queen’s Club in July to celebrate the end of term for the players and their families. The event attracted in excess of 30 children and young people who took part in an afternoon ‘team challenge’ tennis competition supported with medals and certificates provided by the LTA. The QCF coaching team was joined by a team of volunteers from Goldman Sachs and Nicky Maxwell who provided insights on para-standing tennis. We were also joined by 2 National standard Juniors who played an exhibition tie—break to those attending and answered questions about their tennis journeys.

One parent commented: “I really liked that the children saw that everyone can play tennis and that it is important to have a goal and practice. My daughter was motivated and the next day we went to play tennis. Thank you so much!”

We also worked with the West London Partnership (a local collaboration of State schools and Private Schools) to host a tennis festival day at St. Paul’s School, giving 20 children from two state schools in Hammersmith and Fulham the chance to learn and enjoy tennis for the first time. One teacher said: “It was wonderful for pupils to play a sport they do not get offered at school. They came back suggesting they put it forward to our Junior Leadership Team as a sport to be on offer.”

Another exciting partnership between The QCF and local charity, Fulham Reach Boat Club, enabled us to reach almost 50 young people in need from the Borough. The QCF Community Club coaching team put on a fun afternoon of cardio tennis drills and games in a “summer rave camp” for teenagers as part of Fulham Reach’s Free Watersports Week which addresses summer learning loss, tackles food insecurity and gives those at risk of engaging in crime a focus and creative outlet during the school holidays.

We also put on an initial taster session for a group from the local Masbro Elders Project in Hammersmith and invited them to participate in a dementia friendly tennis sessions for seniors at Bishop’s Park. Those attending enjoyed the session so much that they immediately asked for a follow-up session the week after and many of those have now signed up to our regular term-time classes. The benefits of a social tennis class outside for the over 65’s who might be socially isolated, or have disabilities cannot be underestimated.

Finally, in this year’s Centre Court ballot, where Members had the chance to win an opportunity to play on Centre Court at the Club, Members raised an impressive £1880 for The QCF to continue our work “improving lives through racket sports”. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket. We are enormously grateful to the growing number of Members at the Club and those within the wider community who support the work we do.

If you would like to find out how you can support us further please visit: Get Involved | Queens Club Foundation