A Tees Valley charity has opened its main financial-support route for young people whose families are finding the cost of tennis or padel difficult to meet.
Tees Valley Tennis Foundation is now accepting applications from parents and guardians of players aged 8 to 18. The charity says it can consider help with coaching and participation fees, essential equipment, competition and tournament costs, travel and other reasonable costs connected with the sports.
The idea is practical. A promising young player does not only need a racket. Regular coaching, getting to sessions and competitions, entry fees and equipment can accumulate into a sizeable , particularly for families already watching household costs closely.
Applications are considered individually by the foundation's trustees, so meeting the does not guarantee an award. The organisation says its purpose is to remove financial barriers that can stop children and teenagers from starting, continuing or progressing in tennis and padel.
The new application route follows the charity's earlier summer support pilot with Tennis World and Middlesbrough Padel Club, which offered funded activity places to young people who might otherwise have missed out because of cost.
For families, the useful part is that the wider support route is now live rather than being tied to a single camp or event. Parents and guardians can explain the particular barrier their young person faces and the trustees can consider what support could make a practical difference.
: Application status and support costs were checked against the Tees Valley Tennis Foundation website on 31 August 2026.