Helping more people play more Tennis
About Us
Bright Ideas for Tennis is a UK charity. We provide clubs with fundraising opportunities and host inclusive tennis programmes linked to SEN schools, individuals and local community support groups. We aim to help everyone feel empowered, accepted and to improve their overall well-being.
Fundraising Open Days
Bright Ideas for Tennis has delivered Charity Fundraising Open Days at more than 450 venues across the UK, coached approximately 35,000 players, and raised in excess of £1million. These funds have helped to provide over 7500 hours of free community based tennis sessions for those that ordinarily wouldn’t get the opportunity.
I PLAY 30
Providing free weekly tennis sessions for players with disabilities and we currently operate I Play 30 sessions at 80 venues throughout the UK.
The programme provides free tennis activity sessions designed for adults and children with learning, sensory and physical disabilities.
More details »
Meet the Team
Danny Sapsford
Co-Founder & Charity Manager
Danny played on the ATP Tour from 1987-1999, reaching a career high ATP singles ranking of 170 and 83 in Doubles and represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup from 1990-95. Danny competed in all 4 Grand Slams with his best performance coming at Wimbledon '99 where he made the 3rd Round before losing to eventual champion, Pete Sampras. In 1998, Danny became the Men’s National Singles Champion, and he also won the Doubles Event on 3 separate occasions. Wins during his career include Henman, Rusedski, Korda, Gilbert and Kuerten. After retiring Danny became an LTA National coach, overseeing a squad of boys who won European singles and doubles titles, Grand Slam and ITF World Doubles titles, and junior/senior National singles titles. Danny co-founded Bright Ideas for Tennis in 2013.
Mark Bullock
Inclusion Development Manager
Mark has been involved in disability tennis as a coach, coach educator, administrator, volunteer & event organiser for 30 years. Mark was LTA Coach of the Year in 2021 & was recently awarded the International Tennis Federation's UNIQLO Spirit of Sport Award. He worked for the ITF on Wheelchair Tennis for 15 years & is a former National Wheelchair Tennis Coach. He is a LTA Mentor & has coached players with a wide range of impairments.
Jon Wildman
Inclusion Engagement Manager
Jon has been a tennis coach for over 15 years and is extremely passionate about making tennis more accessible - (“I believe tennis is the most inclusive sport in the world!”). Jon has experience of working with people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, wheelchair users and those with learning disabilities. So if you’re a coach, player, parent or volunteer, Jon can offer support.
Abbie Probert
PR/Social Media Manager
Abbie works at all levels of the game from local participation through to the professional tour where she activates new audiences through brand awareness and social media engagement to ultimately encourage more people to give tennis a go.
Clare Appleby
Fundraising Manager
Clare has worked in the charity sector since 2007 in a variety of fundraising roles and joined the Bright Ideas for Tennis team in 2021. As a qualified personal trainer, helping others to enjoy the feel good factor of fitness, Clare is able to combine her passions and raise funds to give others the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits that tennis has to offer.
Ambassadors
Tim Henman
Former British number 1, Wimbledon Semi-finalist, Olympic Silver medalist
Dom Inglot
Davis Cup Champion 2015, US Open Semi-Finalist, Rio Olympian 2016
Jonny Marray
Wimbledon Men's Doubles Champion 2012, LTA Fair Play Ambassador
Joe Salisbury
Australian Open Men's Doubles Champion 2020, French Open Mixed Doubles Champion 2021, US Open Mixed Doubles Champion 2021, US Open Men's Doubles Champion 2021 & 2022,
Anna Smith
GB Fed Cup doubles specialist 29 ITF tour doubles titles
Trustees
Barry Fulcher
Barry is a former ATP ranked player, turned coach and has worked at all levels of the game. He continues to compete, and has captained Great Britain to numerous World Championship team medals in the 3...
Lucy Shuker
Lucy has represented GB at three successive Paralympic Games; Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016, becoming a Double Paralympic Bronze Medallist with over 100 career titles to her name. She has ach...
Mark Sanders
Mark is currently LTA councillor for Cambridgeshire having taken up this position in 2016. He has been active in tennis all his life representing Buck...
Jackie Jeromson
Jackie is a keen social tennis player and is passionate about tennis and the benefits that playing the game can bring to everyone....
Jamie Baker
Jamie represented GB Davis Cup Team on many occasions including the world group against Argentina in 2008. Having played on the tour for 8 years he decided to end his professional playing career in 20...
Stuart Rhodes
Stuart was a top nationally ranked junior tennis player and was a regular in the Surrey men’s County team. In 2008 he was appointed manager of the M&G Global Dividend Fund and has very quickly built a...