Our mission is to Improve Lives Through Racket Sports
Welcome to the Queen’s Club Foundation Spring Newsletter 2026. As the official charity of The Queen’s Club, we remain incredibly grateful for the continued support of The Club, its members and our wider community of supporters.
 
We hope you enjoy reading about our activities this Spring and learning more about how your support helps us deliver meaningful impact. Key highlights from the start of the year include our Tennis Festival for children with special educational needs and disabilities, the successful conclusion of the 25/26 squash programme with an interschools competition, and a special wheelchair tennis showcase event celebrating 50 years of wheelchair tennis by remembering the first British Open in 1990 at one of our local community partner venues, Bishops Park Tennis Centre which brought together junior wheelchair tennis champions of the future with former international stars.

Kate Maurici
Head of Foundation

Rally Girls Festival

In February, we hosted a Rally Girls Festival for girls involved in The QCF community programme, with a focus on confidence, belonging and enjoyment through tennis.
 
We know that the transition from primary to secondary school can be a challenging time, particularly when it comes to girls staying involved in sport and feeling that they belong. This event was designed to support girls at this key age, using tennis as a way to build confidence, inspire participation and encourage a positive mindset.
 
The session took place in the Junior Centre at The Queen’s Club and was led by two outstanding female coaches, India Ampaw and Victoria Lapthorne. They delivered fun, engaging and confidence‑building on‑court activities, followed by an off‑court session focused on managing emotions and building self‑belief throughout a tennis journey.  All participants also received a goodie bag to take home at the end of the session.
 
One word captured the spirit of the evening: “nervousited”. Chosen by the girls themselves, it perfectly described the mix of feeling a little nervous about performance while being excited to be on court and giving it a go. Hearing India and Victoria share their own strategies for managing emotions on court was inspiring, and the girls responded brilliantly to their wisdom, energy and upbeat coaching style.
 
The festival was also about inspiring the female coaching workforce. We were very grateful to be supported by a number of female volunteers and coaches, as well as LTA Independent Councillor Judith Loffhagen. Judith (and mum to British tennis player George Loffhagen) shared her perspective on the emotions parents can feel when their children play tennis, and how she stays focused and calm - advice the girls listened to with real interest.
 
And the best feedback of all? “Can we do more sessions like this?”
 
Photo credit: Stefi Komala
 

QCF Squash Programme 2025/26

Over the past academic year, pupils from four local primary schools have taken part in the QCF Squash Programme, enjoying free weekly coaching at The Queen’s Club. The programme is designed to widen access to squash, giving young people, particularly those who may not otherwise have the opportunity, the chance to learn, play and enjoy the sport in a world‑class environment.
 
The programme concluded with an Inter‑Schools Squash Tournament, where all participating pupils showcased impressive skill, teamwork and enthusiasm. Congratulations to Normand Croft Community School, who secured first place on the day.
 
Our sincere thanks go to The Queen’s Club squash coaches Yawar and Robbie for their dedication and support throughout the year, to the Philip King Trust for their generous grant towards the programme and to The Queen’s Club for providing access to their excellent facilities.
 
We are incredibly proud of everything the pupils achieved and look forward to continuing to make squash more accessible to young people in our community.
 

Deaf Hotspot Launch

At the end of March, QCF was proud to launch its new Deaf Hotspot at Spelthorne Community Tennis Centre, as part of the Inclusive Hotspots Project, co‑funded by Middlesex Tennis. The project focuses on establishing local tennis sessions for groups who face the greatest barriers to participation, and this launch marked an important step forward for inclusive sport within the deaf community.
 
The Deaf Hotspot was introduced through a festival‑style launch event, welcoming 44 participants with lived experience of deafness or hearing impairment. The day brought together children trying tennis for the first time alongside more experienced players, creating a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere where everyone felt welcome to take part and enjoy the sport.
 
We were delighted to be joined by Cllr Chris Bateson, Esah Hayat (World Deaf Youth Gold Medallist and World Deaf Doubles Silver Medallist), representatives from UK Deaf Sport, and Catherine Fletcher, the LTA Tennis Foundation’s National Deaf Tennis Coach. The presence of former professional deaf players provided powerful inspiration, role models and meaningful engagement for participants throughout the day.
 
Following the success of the launch, regular Deaf tennis sessions will now be established at Spelthorne Community Tennis Centre, ensuring ongoing opportunities for players to develop their skills, build confidence and continue their tennis journey in a supportive and welcoming environment.
 
Photo credits: Jonny Sanders
 

Middlesex Tennis Awards

 

Last month, our Head of Foundation, Kate Maurici and Foundation Manager, Isabelle Stanley attended the Middlesex Tennis Awards at The Queen’s Club, an inspiring evening celebrating tennis across the county. We were proud to see the QCF recognised throughout the event.
 
Congratulations to St Augustine’s, winners of School of the Year. We are delighted to have supported the school through initiatives including the Girls’ Tennis Breakfast Club, Tennis Week with Amanda Anisimova, a centre court coin toss at the Andy Murray Arena, scholarship support for a former pupil, and weekly squash lessons.
 
We also congratulate Jonathan-Pierre Lion, named Official of the Year, in recognition of his dedication as a referee at QCF inclusive competitions and other local events.
 
We were pleased to see King’s College London and Imperial College London named County finalists for University of the Year, reflecting the inclusive tennis opportunities delivered with support from QCF.
 
Finally, we were delighted that our Head of Foundation, Kate Maurici, was nominated for the national President of the Year award, jointly with Nicky Maxwell, President of Para-Standing Tennis, one of our QCF ambassadors and a huge driving force behind the establishment of para-standing tennis on the global stage.
 
It was a fitting celebration of collaboration, community and inclusive sport, and we are proud to play our part across Middlesex, a county so committed to inclusion.
 

IPP SEND Festival

In April, we were delighted to welcome 28 children from four partner schools, alongside participants from our Inclusive Player Pathway (IPP) community venues, to our annual QCF IPP SEND Schools Festival at The Queen’s Club. The day brought together young players, coaches and supporters in a truly special setting, united by a shared love of tennis and a commitment to inclusion.
 
The IPP project is a five-year programme funded personally by QC member Aditya Mittal, dedicated to opening doors for disabled children and young people across London, creating a welcoming and sustainable pathway into the sport. Through regular engagement in tennis, SEND participants are supported to have fun, build confidence and discover their own potential — both on and off the court.
 
The festival itself was filled with energy, on-court activity and skills development, showcasing the powerful impact that inclusive opportunities can have. We were also proud to welcome para-standing tennis star Luca Reese, who delivered an inspiring exhibition and Q&A session. His involvement added an extra spark to the day, leaving participants motivated, encouraged and excited about the sport.
 

Squash & Real Tennis Outreach Days

We’ve been delighted to welcome local schools to The Queen’s Club for four squash and real tennis outreach days - a special opportunity for students from state schools to try sports they would almost never encounter otherwise. By opening the doors to these historic, technical and often inaccessible sports, we are helping to remove opportunity barriers that have traditionally limited access for many young people.
 
Our aim is simple: to make squash and real tennis feel welcoming, inclusive and within reach for every student who steps onto the court. Watching pupils experience these sports for the first time, supported by expert coaching and world‑class facilities, has been incredibly rewarding. The enthusiasm, growing confidence and positive feedback from students clearly demonstrated the value and impact of these experiences.
 
A huge thank you to The Queen’s Club for generously providing access to their outstanding facilities, and to their brilliant coaching team for delivering sessions that were both inspiring and unforgettable.
 

Wheelchair Tennis Showcase

We were proud to celebrate a very special milestone this year as wheelchair tennis marked its 50th anniversary at Bishop’s Park, with the QCF Wheelchair Tennis Showcase. Delivered in collaboration with Rocks Lane and Middlesex Tennis, supported by the LTA, and proudly part of the QCF Inclusive Player Pathway programme, the event honoured both the rich history and the exciting future of the sport.
 
The day united the wider community with key figures from across the sport, including individuals involved in the very first British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships held at Bishops Park in 1990,  and also those experiencing wheelchair tennis for the first time. We were also honoured to welcome Wimbledon Doubles Champion and 4 times Paralympian (wheelchair tennis), Jayant Mistry, whose presence added to the significance and inspiration of the occasion.
 
On court, participants had the chance to try wheelchair tennis, join family tennis sessions and watch a high‑quality exhibition match featuring our IPP Scholars, who are part of the LTA U14 National Age Group Programme. As well as the opportunity to play tennis, the event included wheelchair tennis CPD opportunities for coaches and volunteers, encouraging learning, development and meaningful connections across the tennis community.
 
Inside the clubhouse, an exhibition of memorabilia, photographs and newspaper articles from the 1990's remembered the significance of the original British Open at this venue, celebrating progress and reflecting on how far inclusive sport has come.
For those keen to see elite wheelchair tennis in action or to learn more, keep an eye out for the forthcoming Lexus British Open at Roehampton.  Tickets are available on the LTA website.
 
Photo credits: Getty Images
 

IPP Coach Forum

We recently hosted our latest Workforce Forum as part of the Inclusive Player Pathway (IPP) project. This session focused on Dementia Friendly Tennis, bringing together coaches and volunteers from across the area for an afternoon of learning, discussion and connection. Attendees heard from specialists with hands‑on experience of delivering dementia‑inclusive tennis sessions, gaining practical insights and ideas they can take back to their own venues.
 
It was inspiring to see how many participants left feeling motivated to reflect on their current practice, explore new approaches and think creatively about how they, and their organisations, can make tennis environments more welcoming for people living with dementia. 
 
A huge thank you to our brilliant speakers, Jane Burniston and Kate Maurici, for sharing their expertise, and to all the coaches and volunteers who joined us. 
 

Sam Kimpton's Marathon Fundraiser

We’re incredibly proud of Sam Kimpton, QCF Coach and member of The Queen’s Club grounds team, who completed the London Marathon at the weekend. Sam took on the full 26.2 miles in challenging sunny conditions, crossing the finish line in an impressive 4 hours and 9 minutes.
 
Through his commitment and determination, Sam has raised an amazing £2,400 for the Queen’s Club Foundation so far, with fundraising still open for anyone who would like to donate or congratulate him on a fantastic achievement. Donation link below.
Every pound raised goes directly towards the QCF community programme, helping us improve lives through racket sports and widen access to opportunities across our communities.
 
A brilliant effort, Sam — thank you for representing QCF with such dedication and pride.
 

Rally for Life

We are pleased to announce the launch of Rally for Life, the Queen’s Club Foundation’s new dementia friendly tennis and padel initiative, which is supported by the LTA Tennis Foundation.
 
Rally for Life has been designed to make tennis and padel more accessible to seniors by creating inclusive, adaptive and social playing environments that support physical health, mental wellbeing and meaningful community connection. A key aim of the programme is to increase local opportunities, enabling more seniors to take part safely, confidently and on a regular basis.
 
Alongside delivery, the initiative places a strong emphasis on upskilling the local workforce, supporting coaches and venues to become more senior and dementia friendly. This ensures participants receive high‑quality, tailored guidance that meets their individual needs. Rally for Life also strengthens partnerships with organisations working with older adults and people living with dementia, with a clear focus on co‑design and community engagement so programmes are shaped by lived experience and local priorities.
 
Measuring social value will be a core part of the project, helping us understand impact, support learning and demonstrate meaningful outcomes for individuals and communities. 
 
We look forward to delivering this important work and expanding access to tennis and padel within our local community.
 

Upcoming Dates for your diary

8th May:
On-Court Dementia Friendly Tennis Workforce Forum, 12pm - 2pm, The Hurlingham Club

18th May: 
SEND Tennis Team Challenge, 12:30pm - 2pm, Bishops Park Tennis Centre

18th May:
Seniors Dementia Friendly Tennis Team Challenge, 2pm - 3:30pm, Bishops Park Tennis Centre

7th June:
Free Community Tennis Event, 9am - 4pm, Brook Green Tennis Centre

13th-16th June:
Surbiton Trophy Grass Court Para-Standing Championship (QCF is the official charity at this event).

Sponsors

We are always looking for sponsors to support our community club festivals and events.  If you would like to match-fund a QCF campaign linked to a festival, or event, or if your company would like to support an event with a major donation, please contact us to discuss at [email protected]

A huge thank you to our equipment sponsors, Wilson
 

A Call for Volunteers

We are also always looking for people to support our outreach work.  If you would like to join our database of volunteers, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. We have a variety of ways in which you can assist us, and would be delighted to discuss how you can help.


Our trustees: Will Morse (Chair), Tim Cockroft, Vasu Majumdar, Malcolm Smith, Brenda Vandamme, Emma Wardle
Our executive team:  Kate Maurici (Head of Foundation), Isabelle Stanley (Foundation Manager) and Danja Gutzwiller (Executive Assistant)
Our advisers: Richard Buckingham, Simon Jones, Vanessa Neill

14 May 2026