Free women's tennis club is amazing, members say

An all-female tennis programme in Birmingham has changed lives of its participants forever, the women who attend have said.

It has been three years since Carolle and Iman Tennis - named after its organisers - began, with a pledge to break down societal stereotypes and attract a diverse group of women.

Regular player Madii Hussain said the club helped break down social and cultural stigmas.

She said: "You don't really see many South Asian or female tennis coaches and by playing together we're trying to break those barriers."

The 24-year-old, who holds a level one coaching qualification, attends the sessions at Moseley Tennis Club.

"It's a really tight knit group, like a second family. In terms of mental health and social wellbeing, it's amazing to come out get some fresh air and just speak to the women who come," she said.

Ms Hussain, who has had a love for tennis from a young age, began attending two-and-a-half years ago and is now a part-time tennis coach.

She said: "Everyone has their own story, and it's amazing to just get to speak to people from so many different backgrounds."

Carolle Forde Garcia and Iman Mahmood said they started the programme after they were both fed up with the stereotype of tennis being for people from white, middle class backgrounds.

The sessions are held at Moseley Tennis Club on Wednesdays and Billesley Indoor Tennis Centre on Thursdays - with more than 400 women joining since the scheme began.

The pair said the club reflected "the rich diversity of Birmingham" as 80% of participants were from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Saima Ajaz, 46, said since joining she has met women from Spanish, French, Polish and Urdu-speaking backgrounds.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 10 years ago and coming out and getting exercise has helped me get my life back to routine."

"There's so many ladies from different places who speak so many different languages. It's amazing."

Previously funded by the LTA, Sport Birmingham and Sport England, the programme is now funded by a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Carmen Torres, from Kings Heath, came to the UK in 2001 to work as pharmacist.

She has children with "very high complex needs" and said playing with the group allowed her to "forget about how hard that is".

"My mental health is better. I'm happier and I'm able to do more for my children and myself."

Angela Dimes drives 25 minutes from her home in Alvechurch to attend the sessions.

The 47-year-old, who has been playing with the group for 18 months, said it has helped her meet new people.

She said: "A friend of mine told me about the group, I started coming and most of the time everyone's either laughing or saying sorry of hitting into the net.

"I'm new to being part of such multicultural group and it's nice just to be around such a broad group of people."

Ms Mahmood told the BBC that the aim of the programme was not only to teach women how to play tennis, but encourage more women to get into coaching.

She said: "Generally there aren't as many women coaching and we wanted to change that.

"Being with all these women is so rewarding and seeing their progress every week. We know sport helps to improve mental wellbeing as well as physical health.

"But the programme is also helping to reduce isolation and loneliness and build connections within the wider community."

Ms Mahmood and Ms Forde Garcia won the national Tennis For All Award in 2023 for helping to "open up" tennis to wider communities.

Ms Forde Garcia said their aim was to try and make a "tennis programme with a difference" as the group campaigned to get more funding to keep it free.

"We started free tennis to get rid of any financial barriers and so people from all different socioeconomic backgrounds can join.

"Our policy is to try and keep it free, but it will depend on funding."

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