Canadian administrator recognised for extraordinary impact on tennis as part of the Tennis Black List 2024

By Ayisha Gulati

Canadian administrator Debbie Kirkwood was among those recognised as part of the Tennis Black List 2024.

The Head of Performance and Events at the International Tennis Federation, Kirkwood received the award for her extraordinary impact on the sport.

Kirkwood joined the ITF in 2021 after 25 years with Tennis Canada.

Initially joining as a national coach in 1994, Kirkwood captained Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup teams before serving as the governing body’s Director of High Performance for 14 years.

She now leads the team responsible for implementing the development projects which assist and support talented players worldwide and overseas more than 50 regional events.

Recruited by ITF to increase the number and standard of players worldwide, the Canadian is committed to the long-term development of the player pathway.

The National Tennis Centre hosted the Tennis Black List 2024 on Thursday night, celebrating tennis role models from the black and mixed black heritage community.

Founded by Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey-Addo last year, the event on 27 June 2024 marked the second year of the Tennis Black List, supported by the LTA, Barclays and YC Sports.

Taking place in the run up to The Championships at Wimbledon in nearby Roehampton, the awards recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations from grassroots level up to the professional game in Britain and internationally.

The Tennis Black List follows the example set by the successful and respected Football Black List, created by Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds, and Rugby Black List which have demonstrated the power that celebrating black excellence can achieve in sport.

The event was an opportunity to inspire the next generation in the tennis community, with the commitment shown by the winners on and off the court.

Awards were handed out in eight categories across the evening at the ceremony, with several recipients present at the National Tennis Centre.

“I am humbled to receive this recognition from the Tennis Black List Steering Committee and their partners: the LTA, Barclays & YC Sports," said Kirkwood.

“I am hopeful that sharing the contributions made in tennis by this year’s award recipients will help to inspire the next generation of players and global leaders."

Tennis Black List organisers Batson and Sackey-Addo said: “This was truly a night of inspiration and celebration of the black and mixed-black heritage communities’ excellence in tennis on and off the court.

“It’s been an honour to recognise a group of remarkable people who are the perfect embodiment of this.

“One of the main aims for the Tennis Black List has always been to build a community to help provide more opportunities and access to our sport.”

LTA Chief Executive Scott Lloyd said: “It was hugely inspiring to celebrate once again all the amazing successes and achievements of the black and mixed-black heritage communities – the 2024 winners are real role models to everyone.”

Serving excellence on and off the court: The Tennis Black List #TennisBlackList #2024TennisBlackList #TennisBlackList2024