Sport
The Qube Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is returning this week
5 months ago
The Qube Liverpool International Tennis Tournament returns to Liverpool Cricket Club this week for its twenty-first outing as it continues its mission to tackle obesity, mental health and reduce antisocial behaviour.
The Qube Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is just days away. The tournament kicks off this Thursday – Saturday (13-15 Jun) at Aigburth Cricket Club, with loads of pop-up tennis events happening in town.
For the second year, Qube Residential will be the headline sponsor of the popular tournament, which was first introduced by Northern Vision Sporting Events in 2002 as a warmup event for top players before Wimbledon.
Since then, Northern Vision has introduced tennis to over 100,000 local juniors through its Liverpool-based events, including the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament and Liverpool Junior International Tennis Tournaments.
This comes as the Government’s latest Index of Multiple Deprivation and Poverty ranked Liverpool as the third most deprived in health and disability amongst the 317 English authorities.
In addition, the Office for National Statistics reported that 65% of the city’s adults are either overweight or obese compared to the national average of 63.8% with 45.2% of year 6 pupils (aged 10-11) being overweight or obese compared to 37.8% nationally.
However, from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 June 2024, The Qube Liverpool International Tennis Tournament will aim to inspire and delight crowds with its exhibition event featuring some of the world’s best players, which in the past has included John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Virgina Wade and Greg Rusedski.
Anders Borg, managing director of Northern Vision Sporting Events, said:
“It is a great privilege to bring this magnificent occasion back to Liverpool for the 21st year alongside Qube Residential as our headline partner once again, to display some of the best talent that tennis has to offer.
“Over the years we have had some of the world’s most prestigious tennis names compete on our grass courts in Liverpool ahead of Wimbledon, and it’s certainly the place to be to spot the stars of the future.
“The Liverpool International Tennis Tournament is accessible to all, we want everyone to be able to experience the thrill of tennis, and we welcome involvement from students, local businesses and charities to make it a success year after year.”
As part of its mission, Northern Vision aims to combat three pillars in society: poor physical health (obesity), mental health and antisocial behaviour by engaging young people in its community programmes.
In February 2024 the junior tournament won a Tournament Recognition Award from the International Tennis Federation for achieving exemplary player satisfaction and tournament delivery.
Borg added:
“Our primary objective is to promote the importance of physical and mental well-being, combat obesity, increase mental health, and contribute to reducing crime rates by engaging young people to play tennis.
“Last year, our young players voted the junior tournament as one of the best tournaments they have played in, and I firmly believe that Liverpool is now the home of junior tennis in the UK.”
Dave Seed, managing director of Qube Residential, said:
“Last year’s Liverpool International Tennis Tournament was fantastic to be part of and it was a privilege to support Anders and Northern Vision’s work as headline sponsor.
“It’s a great show of strength and determination that the tournament has returned year after year since 2002 and it’s the inspirational work that it does for young people that makes Qube Residential proud to attach its name to this event.”
The Qube Liverpool International Tennis Tournament will be based at Liverpool Cricket Club across the three-day event and will host mini tennis lessons in Liverpool City Centre (Williamson Square, Exchange Flags, Liverpool Town Hall, Liverpool One) in the build-up, making tennis accessible to all.