Latest news with #FatimaWhitbread
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
James D'Arcy reveals pleasure at supporting tennis awards
D'Arcy, 49, was one of several high-profile guests, including two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread and former Lioness Lianne Sanderson, who attended this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. D'Arcy, who holds credits in a blockbuster such as Oppenheimer, Avengers: Endgame and Dunkirk and is a keen tennis enthusiast in his own right, was grateful for the opportunity to attend and lend his voice to support and champion black and mixed black excellence in a sport so close to his own heart. 'It's wonderful isn't it?,' said D'Arcy. 'I know some of the people who work at Dante, so that's how I first became aware of it and very happy to be here and helping them celebrate the evening. It has been such a huge success. 'I started watching tennis when I was pretty young and it was the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 that got me into it. 'I was always a massive John McEnroe fan because he threw tantrums and I was about the sort of right age for tantrums so although I couldn't match him on the tennis court, I could definitely throw a good tantrum!. 'The Icon award went to Arthur Ashe, who was in a field of one as a black man playing elite tennis at the level he did. 'Now here we are where someone like him is highlighted at these awards. It's great to feel real change coming. 'As with any sport, you would want for something like this to be available to everybody and that just hasn't been the case up until now. It has been kind of elitist and hopefully that's starting to change now. 'It just feels that that's the way the world should be.' Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. D'Arcy added: 'Events like this evening are so wonderful and joyful and they're doing such great work that it seems very clear that that's the sort of thing I would like to be involved with. 'I can get behind pretty much any player if they play well but in order to play well, particularly at tennis, you need to have access to money. It's as simple as that. A career in tennis is not something that's just going to happen. Some people are naturally gifted, but it has to be crafted so it's great that we have award ceremonies like this now. 'The people here being honoured must point in the direction of the fact that some of the money is getting to a more diverse group of people and that is wonderful to see.' Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
James D'Arcy reveals pleasure at supporting tennis awards
D'Arcy, 49, was one of several high-profile guests, including two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread and former Lioness Lianne Sanderson, who attended this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. D'Arcy, who holds credits in a blockbuster such as Oppenheimer, Avengers: Endgame and Dunkirk and is a keen tennis enthusiast in his own right, was grateful for the opportunity to attend and lend his voice to support and champion black and mixed black excellence in a sport so close to his own heart. 'It's wonderful isn't it?,' said D'Arcy. 'I know some of the people who work at Dante, so that's how I first became aware of it and very happy to be here and helping them celebrate the evening. It has been such a huge success. 'I started watching tennis when I was pretty young and it was the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 that got me into it. 'I was always a massive John McEnroe fan because he threw tantrums and I was about the sort of right age for tantrums so although I couldn't match him on the tennis court, I could definitely throw a good tantrum!. 'The Icon award went to Arthur Ashe, who was in a field of one as a black man playing elite tennis at the level he did. 'Now here we are where someone like him is highlighted at these awards. It's great to feel real change coming. 'As with any sport, you would want for something like this to be available to everybody and that just hasn't been the case up until now. It has been kind of elitist and hopefully that's starting to change now. 'It just feels that that's the way the world should be.' Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. D'Arcy added: 'Events like this evening are so wonderful and joyful and they're doing such great work that it seems very clear that that's the sort of thing I would like to be involved with. 'I can get behind pretty much any player if they play well but in order to play well, particularly at tennis, you need to have access to money. It's as simple as that. A career in tennis is not something that's just going to happen. Some people are naturally gifted, but it has to be crafted so it's great that we have award ceremonies like this now. 'The people here being honoured must point in the direction of the fact that some of the money is getting to a more diverse group of people and that is wonderful to see.' Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread supports tennis awards
By Mohamed Hamza Two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread revealed she didn't have to think twice when it came to supporting the 2025 Tennis Black List Awards. Whitbread, 64, was one of several high-profile guests who attended this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. Advertisement Whitbread, who memorably claimed bronze and silver in javelin at LA 1984 and Seoul 1988 along with golds at the 1986 European Championships and the 1987 World Championships, was the first British athlete to set a world record in a throwing event, doing so at the 1986 European Championships and she expressed her delight at the opportunity to attend the Tennis Black List Awards and lend her voice to the vitally important cause of championing for greater diversity and inclusion in sport. 'It's a great pleasure and honour to be here,' said Whitbread, who is of Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot heritage and who was adopted after a difficult early childhood in the care system. As a former sportsperson, to honour other sportspeople who are coming up and doing so well is what I call a flagship for others. To show that we need to honour the success and resilience of these people. 'As a lady of colour, I believe we should have more inclusion in sport. From my background in care, inclusion is really important for us to be able to feel a part of the community and a part of society and to share the talent that we have to offer. 'Sport teaches us so much. Its power is teaching life skills and that's fundamental for people to be able to express themselves and integrate and aspire.' Advertisement Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. Whitbread added: 'Tennis is widely admired but what we need to do is amplify the voices of those young players who are coming through. That's what life is about, knowing the person who is behind the racket and knowing more about who these people are and their backstories, and their remarkable resilience that they show in coming to the forefront. 'Diversity is really important because there's a lot of it in the people who are woven into the fabric of our lives. It impacts us all and awards like this can help those people to succeed and feel part of something. 'You don't have to be a player to feel inspired and I'm proud to be a part of it.' Advertisement Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Fatima Whitbread's stinging verdict on government therapy cuts for adopted kids
The Olympic medallist, who was abandoned as a baby, has labelled the government's move to slash therapy funding by 40% for each child 'deeply disappointing' Fatima Whitbread, who was abandoned as a baby, has hit out at cuts to therapy for adopted kids. The Olympic medallist labelled the government's move to slash therapy funding by 40% for each child 'incredibly worrying'. And she warned it leaves some of the country's most vulnerable kids 'without access to ongoing therapeutic support'. The retired javelin world champion, 64 – who now runs a charity for children in care – called for the government to reconsider the cuts. The £50 million Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund [ASGSF] pays for therapy sessions for kids who are adopted or those looked after by family or friends in kinship care. But the government's changes unveiled last month have dropped the per child funding from £5,000 to £3,000 each year. And the separate £2,500 per child sum set for specialist assessments has been scrapped. Meanwhile, the ASGSF now does not match fund support for kids with an exceptional need. Fatima, who was adopted by her coach aged 14, told the Mirror: 'I was deeply disappointed by the DfE's decision to reduce the cap on ASGSF payments. These children have often experienced tragedy or trauma, and timely access to specialist support can make a crucial difference to their mental health and wellbeing. Adopted children and young people are at increased risk of mental health difficulties, with many unfortunately having experienced abuse or neglect in their early years, as well as separation from birth families. 'This significant cut to Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) - a lifeline for many of the adoptive and special guardianship families we support - is incredibly worrying and leaves some of the most vulnerable children and young people in England without access to ongoing therapeutic support. 'While it is a relief the ASGSF is continuing, we urge the government to reconsider this dramatic reduction in funding. The new budget is insufficient to provide the necessary assessment and therapy to help many adoptive and special guardianship families move forward and heal from trauma. Without reliable support, there is also an increased risk of family placements breaking down and children returning to care.' The fund provided support to over 16,000 in 2023-4. It is available to eligible children and young people in England up to and including those who are aged 21, or 25 if they have a special education needs or education health and care plan. Fatima's intervention adds a powerful voice to those who have opposed the cuts. They include a group of charities who have written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urging her to reconsider. Abandoned as a baby, Fatima experienced a traumatic childhood. She was eventually adopted by javelin coach Margaret Whitbread and her husband. Last year, Fatima told the Guardian: 'I was abandoned as a baby and left to die in our flat. A neighbour heard me crying and called the police, who broke down the door and rescued me. I spent the next 14 years living in institutions, among other traumatised children. Because of the love from my foster family and my passion for sport, I count myself one of the lucky ones.' Fatima went on to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year in 1987, and clinched a silver medal at the Olympics the following year. Later, in 2011, she came third in that year's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here – memorably, getting a cockroach stuck in her nose. More recently, Fatima set up a children's charity in a bid to improve the lives of kids in care. A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We know how important this support is to families – and through our Plan for Change, we're committed to ensuring adopted and kinship families continue to receive the help they need to thrive. We are investing £50 million for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund to continue for another year. The decisions we have taken will ensure the fund is financially sustainable to allow more vulnerable children to access targeted support.'
