Middlesex Tennis is delighted to announce that the recipient of our first Inclusive Venue Grant for 2025/26 is St Columba’s Tennis Club in Ealing.
Since April 2022, the club has been running weekly inclusive tennis sessions for both adults and juniors, led by experienced coach David James and supported by registered volunteer Stephen Williams. What began with small start-up grants from LB Ealing and Middlesex Tennis, along with guidance from Access Sport, has grown into a much-valued community programme.
The sessions, which run on Thursdays during school term time, are open to players with a wide range of disabilities. The majority of participants are either autistic or have Down’s Syndrome. The focus is firmly on fun, fitness, and inclusion, but parents are often pleasantly surprised at the progress participants make in learning to play tennis.
Weekly schedule:
- 4:30–5:15pm – Adults (16+)
- 5:15–6:00pm – Juniors (ages 5–15)
Class sizes are kept deliberately small to ensure quality coaching and enjoyment, with a current capacity of 4–5 adults and 4 juniors per session. Parents of juniors are encouraged to assist on court, which has helped foster a friendly, supportive atmosphere.
The club has received glowing feedback from families, including this heartfelt message from one parent :
” He participates regularly in the disability group which has helped his interpersonal skills a lot. The tennis has also heled hand eye coordination as well as his focus. He loves going.”
Funding for the sessions comes from participant fees (£7 per week), but with coaching costs and a contribution towards winter floodlights, they have relied on additional support from St Columba’s to cover the shortfall. This grant from Middlesex Tennis will help secure the programme’s future for the next 12–18 months as numbers continue to grow, particularly in the junior group.
Club coach David James is a Level 5 LTA Licensed Tennis Coach with over 30 years of coaching experience, including 20 years at St Columba’s.
Inclusive Tennis will resume after the summer break on Thursday 7th September, with:
- Juniors (5–15 years) – 5:00pm
- Adults (16+) – 5:45pm
To join a session please contact St Columba’s Tennis Club at 30–32 Carbery Ave, London W3 9AL. Further information about the inclusive venue grant scheme is available from Martin, our Inclusive Tennis Lead at [email protected]
