Community Asset (ACV)
Globe Lawn Tennis Club has been recognised as an asset of community value (ACV)
The Globe was formed in June 1954 by people of ethnic and racial minorities, at that time excluded to join the traditional tennis clubs. It was called ‘The Globe’ as members came from different countries, had various backgrounds and different walks of life, including survivors of Auschwitz. Ever present in the Club’s history, from the past to the present day, inclusion of peoples from any country, any religion, and based on equality has been the ethos of our club. As we appreciate is the spirit in Camden’s policy – namely to be open, diverse, all-inclusive and pioneering. The Globe is more than just a place to play tennis; it is like a second home for many. Besides tennis, one can enjoy a Sunday lunch, play table tennis, chess, bridge, backgammon or just chat and watch television with friends. The club has a unique role in bringing people of diverse backgrounds and age groups together. Tennis and a harmonious social life among all ages, young and old, is one of the strong points of the club.
The club is well known for reaching out into the community. We run free Easter and Summer Holiday Programmes for local children (from Russell Nurseries Estate) and during term time coach pupils from Haverstock Hill School, Rosary School and Hampstead Parochial Schools. In addition to schools, we also offer tennis for Partially Sighted People and children with mental health problems (Gloucester School).
One of our pivotal concerns is promoting tennis for young children. We have 70 junior members, but beyond this we have 200 children from the community per week who come to club for tennis. During the Holiday Camps an additional 200 children come to our courses. Children are encouraged to take up sports, as it is beneficial for physical and mental health. To keep children active means to keep them healthy and encourage friendships. Child obesity in Camden is above the national average, which is a sad state of affair. Sport for children is important for health and social wellbeing. Our aim is to keep children off the street and on the courts to play tennis.
We have always endeavoured and encouraged children from the Russell Nursery Estate not only to come and take up tennis, but also to be included in the fabric of the club by helping coaches and look after other children. Initially some of the children were not receptive but their attitude changed after they attended our free tennis programmes.
Four years ago we achieved Clubmark accreditation from the Lawn Tennis Association and Sport England, both institutions responsible for maintaining and monitoring high standard in sports in general, and tennis in particular. Clubmark stands for higher standards in welfare, coaching and management in community sports club. Last year we updated this document which is now called Tennismark, designed specific for tennis clubs. It resembles closely to the Camden Active Mark standards.
For the future, we are planning to continue and extend our Outreach Work. We will be offering free tennis programmes to the local schools, to Russell Nursery Children, to Visually Impaired Players and to children with mental health problems. We will continue to work with Haverstock Hill School, The Rosary School, Hampstead Parochial School and Gloucester House School. As budgets for Sports activities have sadly been cut, we are hoping our contributions to these schools and groups is helping. Our tennis programmes will entail free coaching for 2 hours per week in each case. We will continue to give financial support to the schools and other groups in the future. Furthermore we will endeavour to reach out to more local schools offering our free tennis facilities, particularly to children with special needs (Gloucester House School). We are also planning to continue with offering reduced membership fees for the under waged and the elderly.
Globe Tennis Club is fully aware of their important role in the community and committed to continue with our historical ethos of diversity, inclusion and equality – reflecting the spirit of the population of Camden genericforgreece.com. There is no price one can put on an asset like the Globe, its importance to the fabric of Camden and London is priceless and it is these types of local amenities that make this city what it is today.