The ITF’s Beach Tennis Global Development Programme has received overwhelming support from National Associations across six continents.

The programme, which was launched in 2019 thanks to the support of Global Development Partner SANDEVER, aims to provide nations with access to Beach Tennis Superkits.

Each kit contains all the necessary equipment (one court, four paddles and six balls) to allow nations to start playing and promoting the sport.

Two hundred Superkits have been produced and so far 40 nations and one ITF Regional Training Centre have applied to receive them. This includes 27 nations who are not currently part of the ITF Beach Tennis Tour.

SANDEVER Beach Tennis Leader Paolo Ceraudo said: “SANDEVER is delighted to be supporting the ITF in the delivery of the Beach Tennis Global Development Programme. We want to encourage everyone to play and the aim of the programme is entirely aligned with our mission of growing Beach Tennis worldwide.”

Over 50 per cent of the applications received have come from National Associations in Asia and Africa but there have been requests from all over the world. Here are just some of the countries looking forward to introducing the sport…

The Federacao Mocambicana de Tenis has created a project called Beach Tennis Mozambique with the exclusive aim of promoting the sport in the country.

“The success of beach tennis in the world is due to the ease with which one learns to play and the fun it offers,” said Mozambique Tennis Federation president Jonas Alberto Junior. “In addition, it is an excellent option for those who want to improve their fitness and health.”

Alberto went on to explain that they have received positive feedback to roll out beach tennis around the Maputo province coastline with a view to growing it in other coastal areas further down the line.

“The Chinese Tennis Association is pleased to be part of the ITF Beach Tennis Global Development Programme,” a spokesman said. “We see a lot of potential for beach tennis in our territory and we look forward to working closely with the ITF to start a beach tennis programme and grow the sport in several Chinese regions.”

Uganda Tennis Association co-ordinator Alvin Mboijana said: “We are very excited for the opportunity to roll out beach tennis in Uganda. The opportunities it offers for our athletes - young, and old - are just what the game needs to give it an added boost on the development of tennis in the country.

Mboijana explained that schools and communities in Uganda are keen to meet the requirements to give beach tennis a chance to grow and believes that under the stewardship of President Cedric Ndilima the national association is committed to a successful beach tennis programme.

Virgin Islands Tennis Association President Kelly Kuipers, who is also very supportive of the initiative, said: “Here in the US Virgin Islands we are excited to further develop a sport that makes perfect sense for our community and environment. We have beautiful beaches, a community that loves to be active around those beaches, and a tourism industry that is anxious for more sports tourism.”

“Namibia Tennis Association is very excited in taking beach tennis to the beaches of Namibia,” explained NTA President Sam Kaulinge. “Our goal is to inspire and promote the sport of beach tennis among Namibian communities. We are looking forward to work with the ITF as Namibia starts to develop and enhance the game of beach tennis.”

Indonesian Tennis Association General Secretary Lani Sardadi said: “Being an archipelago of 13,000 islands, we are excited to start the sport here, and we are sure that having the equipment and strategic assistance from the ITF will go a long way in making beach tennis popular and a success in Indonesia.”

In August, the Vietnamese Tennis Federation plans to hold a Beach Tennis Workshop in Sam Son, Thanh Hoa after receiving their Superkit and in December they hope to host a first beach tennis tournament.

A Tuvalu Tennis Association spokesman said: “We are super excited to have this new initiative in our country. It will be so exciting to see a new sport that will play on our beautiful beaches, it will also showcase our beautiful beaches to the world. I am sure lots of young athletes will be interested in beach tennis because of the lack of tennis facilities in our country.”

The ITF Beach Tennis Tour comprises over 300 tournaments in 37 countries, with the sport's flagship competitions including the ITF Beach Tennis World Championships and the ITF Beach Tennis World Cup, as well as regional Championships in Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Find out more about the sport in our Guide to Beach Tennis.