Birmingham Duo Celebrated for Inclusive Tennis Project
Two dedicated tennis coaches from Birmingham have earned a prestigious nomination for a national award, celebrating their outstanding work in making the sport more inclusive. Carolle Forde Garcia and Iman Mahmood have been announced as finalists for the UK Coaching Inclusive Coaching Award, an honour sponsored by Inclusive Employers.
Championing Accessibility in Sport
The award specifically recognises individuals who are champions of inclusion and accessibility within sport and physical activity. This perfectly describes the mission of the Carolle and Iman Tennis project, which delivers free tennis sessions to hundreds of women and children from diverse ethnic and lower socio-economic backgrounds across Birmingham.
Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has made a significant impact, welcoming more than 500 different women and children to the court. The project was founded to break down barriers for those less familiar with tennis or who saw cost as a prohibitive factor.
Creating a Welcoming and Fun Environment
The programme's success is rooted in its community-focused approach. Carolle and Iman engaged with local residents before launching, ensuring the sessions were timed to avoid busy periods for parents. They encourage participants to wear clothing they feel most comfortable in and have cultivated a safe and welcoming space where fun is the top priority.
This philosophy is reflected in the feedback they receive, with one participant sharing, "I didn't think tennis was for people like me… now I'm addicted." Such testimony has become a common endorsement for their transformative work.
The UK Coaching Awards are regarded as the most prestigious event within the coaching community, established to honour the invaluable role coaches play in fostering a happier and healthier society. Past winners include coaching luminaries such as Judy Murray, Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman, and the coaches behind athletes like Lucy Bronze and Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
Mark Gannon, CEO of UK Coaching, commented on the 2025 finalists, stating, "We are excited to announce the finalists of the 2025 UK Coaching Awards. Each year, we recognise some truly remarkable coaches from across the UK at every level." He added, "Following a phenomenal summer of women's sport this year, there has never been a better time to celebrate coaches who make it all happen."
The awards ceremony where the winners will be revealed is scheduled for December 4th at The Queens Hotel in Leeds.
