Package of up to £20m can be accessed by venues, coaches, officials and players; pandemic could put future growth of tennis "at significant risk", says LTA's Scott Lloyd
Saturday 4 April 2020 12:38, UK
The LTA has announced a multi-million-pound package of additional funding and measures to support those involved in tennis in Britain impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The comprehensive package, which has been developed by the LTA in consultation with Tennis Scotland and Tennis Wales, will make additional support available to tennis venues, coaches, officials and players to the value of up to approximately £20m.
The goal is to ensure that that tennis in Britain emerges from this period in a strong and healthy position and that the sport is able to resume its role in keeping the nation active as soon as conditions allow.
The funding and support will aid those who have been most severely affected from a financial perspective by the coronavirus pandemic.
The new measures add to an existing programme of investment and support that the LTA has continued to make available both during and after the pandemic as part of its strategy to grow tennis and open it up to many more people.
"The first priority at this time is the health and wellbeing of everybody, and our thoughts are with anyone who has been affected by the coronavirus," said LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd said in a statement.
"Our sport is far from exempt from its impact, and this pandemic has the potential to put the continued future growth of tennis at significant risk.
We know that many involved in tennis in Britain are concerned about their futures and are facing significant challenges, and so our primary objective in announcing these unprecedented measures is to ensure clubs and venues remain viable and coaches and officials are not lost to the sport.
"We hope that the combination of this new package and the continuation of our existing support will help ensure they are all able to operate post COVID-19."
The LTA is committing to make significant savings to help fund the new package, as well as reallocating some funds from its reserves.
The organisation has also announced furloughing measures to its workforce whilst the current rules around social distancing and venue closures make it increasingly difficult for the LTA to deliver normal levels of activity.
Any staff furloughed will receive a top up of the government scheme to 80 per cent of their base salary. Alongside this, Lloyd and the LTA's executive team will be taking 20 per cent reductions in salary.
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