The LTA’s ‘Emma Raducanu Trophy Tour’ is continuing its journey around Britain, with the US Open trophy the centre of attention for pupils at St Paul’s Way in Tower Hamlets .
Raducanu’s victory at the US Open in September 2021 was a moment that brought the nation together and now the LTA have tapped into the enthusiasm generated by a remarkable sporting moment to spread the message of the game around the country, in a drive to promote the LTA Youth Schools initiative, a programme that Emma is an ambassador for.
After starting out at St Paul’s Way School in London’s Tower Hamlets on Monday, the iconic trophy is plotting a path around Britain that will include stops in Cambridge, Bristol, Pontypridd, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Edinburgh, with Raducanu delivering a video message at each venue.
On the latest stop of the tour, the pupils of St Paul’s Way in Tower Hamlets relished the chance to get close to Raducanu’s US Open trophy, whilst also getting outside for an LTA Youth tennis session delivered by an LTA Youth coach.
A special video from Raducanu was played to the students, with the US Open champion continuing to be an inspiration to youngsters across Britain.
“I’m really excited to be teaming up with the LTA to take my US Open trophy on a tour of the country,” said Raducanu. “All the schools we are taking the trophy to have played tennis as part of the LTA Youth Schools programme and my hope is that the trophy will inspire them to continue their tennis journey both inside and outside of school.”
The Trophy Tour, which is a highlight of the LTA’s wider plans to grow tennis, supports LTA Youth, an innovative junior programme aimed to help more children aged 4-18 enjoy tennis. The school’s element of the programme is delivered in Primary and Secondary Schools right across the country and offers free teacher training and content that has been specifically created to help address the nation’s challenge of declining physical literacy and activity among children.
“Emma’s achievement in New York last September inspired so many people from all parts of our community and we are delighted to take her trophy to young people around the country,” said LTA CEO, Scott Lloyd.
“Our vision is to open tennis up – and by sending the Trophy to schools across Britain, our hope is that more children will pick up a racket and try our sport for the first time.”
For more details on the ‘Emma Raducanu Trophy Tour’ click HERE
