Baroness Tani's appointment to the Board of Trustees of the charity is a way to widen its appeal and to utilise her vast experience in both sporting and administrative roles.

After winning 11 Paralympic titles over four Games spanning Barcelona 1992 to Athens 2004, the 44-year-old Welshwoman has since been appointed to the House of Lords where she co-chairs an All Party Commission on Physical Activity established to address "the serious issue of physical inactivity in society."

Tanni Grey Thompson will want to use all the experience she garnered over her athletics career in improving another Paralympic discipline ©Getty Images


Her appointment was marked with a visit to a school in Newcastle specialising in supporting children with additional needs, which already receives receive free British Tennis Schools Equipment Packs, as well as resources to help develop tennis within the curriculum and with local clubs from the charity.

"Tennis is a fantastic sport for life and I'm very excited to be joining the Tennis Foundation", said Baroness Tanni, following the announcing of her appointment.

"Their mission is to make tennis accessible for everyone and I look forward to working closely with the Tennis Foundation's team to help achieve that.

"It was fantastic to see the pupils at Sir Charles Parsons School having so much fun playing tennis today and if we can get more kids being active at a young age, they are more likely to carry out that healthy habit into adulthood."

Similar sentiments were offered by Jonathan Lane, chairman of the Tennis Foundation, who expressed his "delight to have someone with Tanni's achievements, energy and experience joining our lively group." 

"She shares our values of diversity and inclusivity in sport and already she is proving a huge asset to us as an organisation", he added.