In The Community: LGBTQ+ Pride Month Kick-Off Across the Courts
June has officially arrived, and with it, a massive wave of LGBTQ+ inclusion, celebration, and community tennis action across the region. From milestone anniversaries to historic tournaments, our local clubs are proving that inclusive sport is thriving. Here is a look at what’s happening in the community right now:
Ace Players Croydon: 50th Anniversary Open Day
Ace Players Croydon is celebrating Pride Month in a massive way by kicking off their 50th Anniversary year! They are hosting an Open Day on Sunday, 7th June 2026, from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
The Action: Social doubles with other LGBTQ+ groups and free coaching from Shirley Park LTC coaches (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM).
The Social: Wrapping up with food and drinks at the clubhouse. Huge thanks to Croydon Pride and Surrey Tennis for backing this milestone event.
Margate Tennis: Royal Support & Drag Queens
Down on the coast, Margate Lawn Tennis Club just hosted an incredibly successful LGBTQ+ Open evening. The warm summer night featured special guests - including the Mayor and Mayoress of Margate, Cllr Leo Britcher and Tamara S Campbell - alongside show-stopping performances from drag queens the deestar and Betty late'N never. Shoutout to Jordan Harris and Vanessa Oakes from Kent Tennis for helping make this brilliant, love-filled evening happen!
Coming Up: The First-Ever Kent Pride Games
Mark your calendars for Saturday, 27th June 2026! The Julie Rose Stadium is playing host to Kent’s first-ever Pride Games. Running from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM in collaboration with Queer Kent Life, this massive day of sport will see 13 Pride groups compete for the Rainbow Cup. With live singers, food stalls, a DJ, and a parade, it’s going to be an unforgettable celebration of community. Tickets are just £5 (under 16s go free)!
What's Your Club Up To?
We love seeing how clubs are smashing stereotypes and building a true sense of belonging. Whether your local courts hosted a Pride social, a tournament, or a simple open day, we want to hear about it!