A Hatfield tennis coach who has championed inclusivity has been recognised for his crucial work at the Tennis Black List Awards.

Tatenda Makoni won the Game Changer in the Community Award, which honours those who do incredible grassroots work in the tennis community across England, Scotland and Wales.

The National Tennis Centre marked the second Tennis Black List on June 27, "celebrating tennis role models from the black and mixed black heritage community".

The event, the brainchild of founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey-Addo, had the backing of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Barclays and YC Sports.

Drawing inspiration from the Football Black List and Rugby Black List, the Tennis Black List aims to showcase black excellence in sports.

Tatenda was given the award for his work in grassroots tennis.

The 31-year-old, who is a coach at Gosling Sports Park, said: "I feel proud, the hard work is getting noticed.

"There’s a lot of work done behind the events and cameras, these awards give me the boost to carry on the hard work.

"It’s believing that anyone can do anything, regardless of your ability and even financial, it’s being able to show people that it’s all possible and not to have any excuse not to do anything that you want to do.

"People with disabilities can do it, everyone can give it their all."

As a level 3 tennis coach, Tatenda promotes inclusivity and organises two national tennis tournaments annually via the LTA.

These tournaments are for people with visual impairments and those with learning difficulties, further championing the sport's accessibility.

Elsewhere, awards were spread over eight categories, with many recipients being present at the National Tennis Centre.

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."

Scott Lloyd, chief executive of the LTA, 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."