Finsbury Park LTA Park Venue Winner, North London 2026

Key Points

• Finsbury Park in North London won Park Venue of the Year at the 2026 LTA Awards, presented by Lexus.
• Calum Manby, aged 30, accepted the award at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton on Thursday, 16 April 2026.
• The venue was recognised for excellent community service and promoting tennis accessibility.
• Manby highlighted efforts to make tennis accessible, including school and estate visits to engage kids from underserved backgrounds.
• The LTA Awards celebrate grassroots contributions to tennis and padel, launched in 2015 by former LTA President Cathie Sabin OBE.
• Over 3,000 nominations were submitted across 14 categories, the highest in the awards’ history.

Finsbury Park (North London News) April 22, 2026 –

Why Did Finsbury Park Win Park Venue of the Year?

Finsbury Park scooped the Park Venue of the Year award at the prestigious LTA Awards ceremony held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. Calum Manby, 30, was on hand to collect the honour on Thursday, 16 April.

The park’s tennis facilities were praised for their outstanding work in serving the local community and promoting tennis.

As reported in the official LTA announcement, Finsbury Park Tennis from Middlesex was listed among key winners, alongside East Glos Club as Club of the Year from Gloucestershire and Danny French as Coach of the Year from Kent. The award recognises venues that excel in grassroots efforts to grow the sport.

The LTA Awards, presented by Lexus, spotlight the passion, dedication, and impact of individuals and organisations in British tennis and padel.

First launched in 2015 by former LTA President Cathie Sabin OBE, the awards honour volunteers, coaches, officials, and players who contribute time, energy, and expertise at every level.

What Did Calum Manby Say About the Win?

Calum Manby, who accepted the award, described the victory as significant for community outreach. “It is brilliant to win,” said Manby.

“We’ve found that the work we do at the club is really important in making tennis as accessible as possible for all community members”.

He elaborated on specific initiatives:

“That includes going into schools and estates, getting kids on court, and reaching underserved backgrounds.”

Manby stressed inclusivity:

“It’s really important that we reach new groups of people and make the sport as accessible as possible.”

These comments underscore Finsbury Park’s role in broadening participation, aligning with the LTA’s mission to expand tennis access.

How Competitive Were the 2026 LTA Awards?

The 2026 awards drew more than 3,000 nominations across 14 categories, the highest number in their 11-year history, as noted in the LTA’s nominations announcement. Finalists advanced through county, Tennis Scotland, and Tennis Wales selections before national panel review.

Winners reflected nationwide talent, with Finsbury Park standing out in the Park Venue category. Other recipients included Paul French as Senior Male Player, Catherine Rose as Female Padel Player of the Year, and Alex Loughlan as Male Padel Player of the Year. This volume highlights the depth of service and innovation in British tennis and padel.

The ceremony celebrated grassroots stars from across the country, as per the LTA’s event coverage.

Who Was Cathie Sabin OBE and Her Role in the Awards?

Cathie Sabin OBE launched the LTA Awards in 2015 during her tenure as LTA President. She became the LTA’s first female President in 2013, overseeing milestones like Great Britain’s Davis Cup win. Sabin, who passed away in 2020, dedicated her career to growing tennis, particularly at grassroots levels.

Her contributions included roles as LTA Councillor for Shropshire from 2001, Board member from 2007, and Deputy President in 2011. She also served on the ITF Olympic Committee from 2015 and represented the LTA at The Championships.

Awards like Teacher of the Year in 2000 and National Volunteer of the Year in 2009 preceded her OBE in 2016 for services to tennis.

The awards bear her legacy of recognising 25,000 volunteers, 6,000 coaches, and 1,000 officials, as echoed in regional LTA pages.

What Makes the LTA Awards Significant?

The LTA Awards honour those who make tennis and padel thrive across Britain. They cover contributions from 22,000 schools, 13,000 venues, and over 9,000 tournaments. Nominees demonstrate impact in opening the sport to more people.

This year’s event followed county celebrations, with examples like Cheshire Tennis noting four national finalists amid the 3,000 nominations. The structure ensures broad representation, from local to national levels.

Background of the Development

The LTA Awards began in 2015 under Cathie Sabin OBE to formalise recognition of tennis’s unsung heroes. Sabin, a former PE teacher and long-time volunteer, championed inclusivity after joining LTA structures in 2001. The awards expanded to 14 categories by 2026, incorporating padel amid its rising popularity.

Finsbury Park’s win builds on its community-focused tennis programmes in North London. The venue, in Middlesex County, has prioritised accessibility, mirroring LTA goals set since the awards’ inception. Nominations hit a record 3,000 this year, up from prior cycles, reflecting increased participation post-pandemic.

Prediction for Local Tennis Players and Communities

This development can affect local tennis players and communities in North London by spotlighting Finsbury Park as a model for inclusive programming. Increased visibility may draw more funding or partnerships, enabling expanded school outreach and court access for underserved groups.