By Milly McEvoy, Sportsbeat
Stockport’s Tom Brown was delighted to win Official of the Year at the prestigious LTA Tennis Awards, presented by Lexus.
The 39-year-old claimed the top gong at the awards which were held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton before taking in a day at Wimbledon.
Brown was recognised for his commitment to tennis, which has seen him set up 72 tournaments in 2023 alone.
“It is just really nice to get recognition for it,” the Heaton Mersey Tennis Club member said. “It has been a really long year, so it is great to get an award along the way.
“It makes it all seem much more worthwhile and for something that I thoroughly enjoy doing and just increasing participation so to be recognised for that is lovely.
“The two counties that I straddle, Cheshire and Lancashire are quite low tournament numbers and there wasn’t a lot on across all age groups.
“People were asking for all age groups to be put on and more tournaments for girls and women as well.
“So just by putting those extra tournaments on for the players meant that more people got engaged with it and hopefully it has made a difference.”
The annual LTA Tennis Awards, presented by Lexus, highlight and celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of people in tennis across Britain.
🏆 Official of the Year: Tom Brown pic.twitter.com/LaqZqHFqrk
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 3, 2024
First launched in 2015 with the help of former LTA president Cathie Sabin OBE, they recognise the vital work of volunteers, coaches, officials, and players dedicating their precious time and energy to the continual development and growth of the sport.
Over the past nine years, the awards have illustrated the depth of service and talent within the tennis community and serve as an inspiration to others to get involved in the game.
The winners, selected from more than 2,200 nominations across 15 different categories, have all been acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to tennis in 2023.
Brown officiated at 66 one day county and local tour events across the course of the year as well as working as a referee at various tournaments.
LTA President Sandi Procter said: “The ceremony has been a tremendous celebration of the people that make our sport so special.
“The incredible stories behind the finalists are so heart-warming to hear. The hard work and dedication of all the winners and runners-up too is unbelievable, and I am always so impressed by the selfless sacrifice of all the volunteers, officials, and coaches.
“I have always been passionate about the grassroots and the awards are our way of highlighting the extraordinary contribution of the individuals and venues that help us open tennis up bringing new players and fans to the game.’’
The annual LTA Tennis Awards, presented by Lexus.
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