Arum Akom's journey: Butterfly Tennis Club and Smashing barriers of inclusivity

British Tennis saw a big surge in both Adults and Children Participation in 2022. Many tennis courts are scattered around London for enthusiasts to practice and harness their skills. In the heart of South East London, the Butterfly Tennis Club embraces the tennis, creating a personal community for players to train. With the arrival of spring, tennis courts dot the cityscape, offering inviting spaces for players to enjoy the warmer weather.

Beyond the footwork and the skill of forehands lies a narrative as captivating as any grand slam match. Arum Akom's trajectory from a love for tennis at a grassroots levels to esteemed tennis coach echoes not merely a passion for tennis, but a ferocious commitment to fostering inclusivity and accessibility within the sport. His tireless efforts focus on creating opportunities for young individuals to engage with tennis, regardless of their background or circumstances. Arum leaves his own mark on the tennis community, shaping not only aspiring players but also a more inclusive and vibrant tennis community both on and off the court.

Butterfly Tennis Club Head Coach: Arum Akom

Becoming a professional tennis player requires significant time and investment, making it challenging. Arum's passion for tennis began at a young age, presenting him with the option to pursue the sport as a player. Balancing between pursuing a career as a player or transitioning into coaching became an aspect of his professional journey and satisfaction in his chosen path.

"I started playing tennis at the age of nine at another club, local to here called Burgess Park Tennis Club, probably five to ten minutes away from here. I think when I started playing, because my parents couldn't afford tennis to a level where I could play regularly and compete further, I realized that there were probably other avenues that I could go down. That's when I started doing some volunteering at my local tennis club at the age of 15. When I was doing those sessions, I realized that it was really enjoyable when I was working with children and young people. It was something that I really liked, and then I started my coaching qualifications from there."

Butterfly Tennis Club is a local tennis club in Camberwell, South East London. It's run by member volunteers and is home of two tennis courts that are used for adult and children's coaching, annual tennis tournaments and tennis league. Arum is into his third year of being the Head Coach of the club. The culture of coaching prioritises the access for young children to get into the sport through a community bursary programme, allowing those who may not be able to afford it access. This has been heavily pushed by Arum and has been able to see the success through his own personal experience of this integration.

Butterfly Tennis Club, located in Camberwell, South East London

Although there is 200 LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) affiliated tennis clubs in London, there's a unique and warm atmosphere that differs from the rest.

"From an environmental perspective, I would probably say that the diversity of our program stands out. It's been part of my role to come in and create a more diverse program, attracting more young people to the game and the club who might not typically find themselves in this environment. That's been really interesting to see develop. Additionally, we have a significant number of girls in the program, which is somewhat unusual compared to other clubs where men tend to dominate. We're making strides in achieving gender balance, which is important. Another aspect that sets us apart is our playing surface. We have what we call an artificial clay court surface, allowing us to train and play year-round as it absorbs rain exceptionally well. These factors make our club unique and offer a different experience compared to other clubs."

There's a pride in inclusivity. According to LTA in 2023, women’s participation grew 34% from the previous year in a sport where 41% of adult tennis players are female, meaning tennis it's one of the most gender balanced sports in the country. In 2024, the growth of the sport has shown no signs of stopping in local communities. Starting young is essential, and Arum is guaranteeing that pathways are available for young girls to experience tennis.

"Recently, during the Easter half term, we organized an all-girls session with the aim of introducing girls to tennis and keep them into tennis for as long as possible." recalled Arum, as he elaborated on the outcome and purpose.

"I felt something that we needed to do was ensure that the sessions were delivered by females so that participants could relate. It was a rewarding initiative and really interesting."

Arum's work hasn't just been limited to coaching at the Butterfly Tennis Club. He's become very innovative in creating avenues for black tennis enthusiasts off the court. The start of 2024 saw him kickstart Black Tennis Mentors UK, playing a role in communities often underrepresented in the sport.

Long-form interview with professional tennis player Tiffany William, who is among the mentor team

"I've just set it up at the beginning of this year. Essentially, the goal is to create a network of black mentors - people similar to myself - who are making positive impacts within the sport. The aim is to inspire the next generation of young black tennis enthusiasts, whether it's as players, coaches, volunteers, or in roles within media and marketing. Tennis offers so many opportunities and opens doors in various ways, and it's about connecting individuals with lived experiences to those who want to start or may not yet know what tennis entails but could be interested. It's really exciting."

The commendable actions of Arum is very inspiring. By tearing down the financial barriers, there's a huge opportunity for countless young people who could've been sidelined from the sport. Children of all backgrounds are welcomed onto the courts, where they not only hone their backhands and serves but also learn valuable life lessons like teamwork, perseverance, and self-discipline. Arum isn't just a tennis coach, he's a pioneer and role model leading the way for a more inclusive future in the world of tennis.