British Grass Court Season brings donors to Grass Roots Africa

July 2015

My, my, the start of the British Grass Court season brought in a tidal wave of tennis goodwill for the Ghana Summer 2015 appeal.

Over the course of British summer, ATA has recieved local donors willing to part with their unwanted tennis racquets, tennis clothing, shoes and balls to bring tennis to the Third World and increase participation of the sport amongst young talented Africans.

Sandra Yeoh of Wimbledon Village, volunteered as a Games Maker for the Tennis during the London 2012 Olympic Games and has been a loyal donor in the past with all things tennis to ATA. During the tennis buzz of the Wimbledon 2015 fortnight, Sandra was kind enough to rally up friends and family to give away their unused racquets, cases, shoes and tennis balls to the Summer Appeal and was proud to play the donor on their behalf.

Sandra herself makes an annual trip to Myanmar, Burma as a volunteer for her friend Michael's charity My Place which aims at enhancing the care and development of economically or social disadvantaged children in Burma and Thailand.

Lots and lots and lots of racquets!!

Sandra Yeoh of Wimbledon Village handing over collected donations of racquets and balls for Africa

The Queens Club, London were happy to donate a box of balls used during the 2015 Aegon Championships to ATA along with Jason and Barry Smythe of the Junior Clay Tennis Registry donating an unused ball basket for tennis lessons in Ghana.

Charity runs again through the ears of the members of Sutton Churches Lawn Tennis Club this tennis season with thanks to Head Coach Kirsty Garrett for rounding up 7 racquets, 1 racquet bag, 6 pairs of shoes and tennis clothing from members and tennis students.

Sutton Churches LTC have been avid supporters of ATA for many years with their generous donations and played the club hosts for the Tennis For Africa Day 2013 for Sierra Leone.

Thanks Again!

LAST..... but not least.... to the new Tennis Club to ride the wave of tennis love this summer - MASSIVE thanks to Head Coach Grant Fellows, Coaches and Members of Cranleigh Tennis and Social Club, Merton Park near the grandeur of the Centre Court itself for all their efforts in bringing to light their unwanted tennis tools to aid sports poverty in the Third World....with special mentions....

Magic Mike Weyman with a nice surprise!

ATA received a surprise of an extra gift of shoes and Performance Racquets from Cranleigh Coach Mike Weyman. Before coaching at Cranleigh, Mike played for the Florida State University in the USA on a tennis scholarship before moving into Strength and Conditioning at a National Performance Centre in the North of England. Mike was happy to donate his head tennis shoes and two brand new Dunlop Biometric Racquets to the summer appeal. Club Chairman Christine Roe also did her bit for the clubs charitable side by donating a box of brand new cans of Wilson Tennis Balls.

Ace! Coach Chris Chapman and a handful of his racquets and other last Cranleigh tennis donations

With thanks to Grant, Cranleigh Club members and Racquet Designer Rob and Coach Chris Chapman - the final few days of the Summer Appeal benefited from a last push to recieve 13 more tennis racquets, a Babolat Team bag and various tennis clothing and children's shoes for the Summer 2015 Ghana Appeal. The donations will be put to good use so thank you for their kindness in bringing tennis to the Third World!