With only 7 days left to nominate in the 2024 Lancashire Awards, we have conducted a interview with Laura Hardman from Liverpool Tennis Centre who won the National Tennis For All Award!
1) Tell us about the journey from being nominated to winning the National Award?
The journey was very exciting and an unforgettable experience. We had a great time at Bolton, Ilkley and Roehampton meeting other winners at county, regional and national presentations. We got to speak to Sandi Proctor who was really interested in our story and how we have managed to develop and sustain our tennis programme in a local authority venue. It was a great honour to be in the presence of other national finalists and hear their success stories, as well as meeting distinguished guests including Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucestershire and Sir Trevor McDonald.
2) Why do you feel it is important for people to nominate venues/people for the LTA Awards?
The rewards are a fitting way to recognise a job well done. Tennis relies on teamwork and often people volunteering their time. Recognising effort encourages people to want to keep making a difference and achieve further success. It's both motivating and rewarding when you are nominated for and win an Award!
3) Has being crowned National Winner had any impact on the work you do?
The win has helped us strengthen the message that tennis is accessible to all and can be affordably delivered. We have had tennis coaches contacting us from other parts of UK to ask to come to the venue to see what we do. We are now working in partnership with other areas with new projects in the pipeline.
Nominations are now open and close on 30th November.
If you know someone who is deserving of one of the above awards then nominate now!
Click here to submit your online nomination and for more information.
There are 17 award categories to choose from, covering both individual and collective recognition. Criteria for each category has been set to give those nominating clear guidance to follow. Tennis Lancashire will judge our County winners and present the winners in the New Year. These County winners will go to a Shortlist Panel who will the
5 National Finalists and 5 Excellence Award winners.
The full list of categories is below:
- Club of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Performance Coach of the Year
- Tennis Opened Up Award
- Park Venue of the Year
- Competition of the Year
- School of the Year
- University of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Official of the Year
- Cathie Sabin Volunteer of the Year
- Young Person of the Year
- LTA President's Award
- Junior Team of the Year
- Adult Team of the Year
- Junior Player of the Year
- Adult Player of the Year