Arum Akom, a committed tennis coach, is dedicated to promoting diversity within the tennis world. At 25 years of age, Akom not only serves as a coach at The Butterfly Tennis Club in Camberwell, South London, but also spearheads a complimentary bursary programme for local children and mentors young tennis enthusiasts through his recent endeavour, Black Tennis Mentors.
Tennis has seen a surge in popularity on a global scale, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. The sport, traditionally associated with the white and middle-class, is now attracting a more diverse pool of players. In the United States, there has been a 33% rise in tennis players between 2019 and 2022, with a significant 46% increase in black players.
In the United Kingdom, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has highlighted tennis as one of the more gender-balanced sports, with 40% of players being female. Nevertheless, there remains an imbalance, as only 24% of accredited coaches are women. Furthermore, while 16% of players hail from diverse ethnic backgrounds, only 4% of coaches and 3% of officials reflect this diversity.
Akom, who was raised just a short distance from the Burgess Park tennis courts, is well aware of the barriers faced by players from diverse backgrounds. His own tennis journey began with the opportunity for complimentary or discounted tennis at Burgess Park, which propelled him towards a career as a tennis coach. Drawing from his own experiences, Akom has established a bursary programme to provide free tennis lessons for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Acknowledging the financial obstacles in tennis, Akom has secured support from various sources to supply the necessary resources for aspiring players. Additionally, he has partnered with footballer Reece Placid’s brand Believe & Achieve and has declined lucrative apparel deals in order to uphold his principles.
While Akom never aspired to become a professional tennis player himself, he dedicates his time and expertise to nurturing young talents such as eight-year-old Nazrah. Under the guidance of high performance coach Barry Bartley, Akom is committed to ushering in diverse champions onto the tennis scene in the UK.
Akom firmly believes that representation is pivotal, both on and off the court. His efforts with Black Tennis Mentors and collaborations with associations such as The Black Girls Tennis Club aim to foster a more inclusive and diverse tennis community. Through close collaboration with young players and their families, Akom is establishing connections beyond the tennis court and is striving to make tennis accessible and relatable to all.
Looking to the future, Akom’s vision for Black Tennis Mentors remains open-ended, as he views the initiative as a collective endeavour with community at its heart. The impact of Akom’s work is evident, with an increase in girls’ participation in tennis through the Prime Video LTA Youth Girls sessions he has led.
As Arum Akom continues to advocate for change within the tennis community, his dedication to diversity and inclusion serves as a catalyst for the future of the sport. His efforts are not only reshaping the landscape of tennis, but also inspiring a new generation of players who will bring fresh perspectives and talent to the game.