Tees Valley Tennis Foundation Opens Applications for Financial Support

Applications now open for support with coaching, equipment, competition costs and travel for young tennis and padel players

Teesside, 28 August 2026: Tees Valley Tennis Foundation has opened its main support application route for young people facing financial barriers to taking part in tennis or padel.

Parents and guardians can now apply to the Foundation for support where cost is making it difficult for a young person to start, continue or progress in the sport.

The Foundation can consider requests relating to:

• coaching and participation;
• essential tennis or padel equipment;
• competition and tournament costs;
• travel connected with tennis or padel; and
• other reasonable tennis or padel-related costs.

Support is intended for young people aged 8-18 who live at a TS postcode address, or meet any additional geographical eligibility criteria stated for a particular support opportunity, and for whom cost is creating a genuine barrier to participation or progression.

Each application will be considered individually by the Foundation’s trustees. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that support will be awarded, and the Foundation may not always be able to provide the type or full level of support requested.

Phil Lowe, Chair of Tees Valley Tennis Foundation, said: "Cost can be a real barrier for young people who want to start, continue or progress in tennis or padel. We are pleased to open this application route, giving families a clear way to tell us where that barrier exists and what support could make a practical difference.

"Our aim is simple: to help more young people access and stay involved in the sport where cost might otherwise stand in the way."

The new application route follows the Foundation’s first summer support pilot with Tennis World & Middlesbrough Padel Club, which funded a limited number of summer camp day places for young people who may otherwise have struggled with the cost of attending.

The pilot formed part of TVTF’s early work to understand local need and develop practical ways of reducing financial barriers to tennis and padel.

Applications are now open at: https://www.tvtf.org.uk/apply/

About Tees Valley Tennis Foundation

Tees Valley Tennis Foundation is a registered charity working to remove financial barriers that can prevent children and teenagers from starting or continuing in tennis and padel.

The Foundation supports young people aged 8-18 in the Tees Valley and TS postcode area where cost may otherwise prevent participation or progression in tennis or padel.

For more information, visit: https://www.tvtf.org.uk/

Ends

Notes to Editors

Tees Valley Tennis Foundation is a registered charity: Charity Number 1217846.

The Foundation supports young people aged 8–18 across the Tees Valley and surrounding area where cost is a barrier to starting, continuing or progressing in tennis or padel.

Full details and applications: https://www.tvtf.org.uk/apply/