ITF's Kirkwood named Tennis Black List's International Trailblazer | ITF
Article 24 Jun 2024

ITF's Kirkwood named Tennis Black List's International Trailblazer

Ross McLean

24 Jun 2024

The ITF’s Debbie Kirkwood will this week be honoured as a tennis role model after winning the Tennis Black List’s International Trailblazer award.

Kirkwood will be celebrated alongside a star-studded list of winners including Coco Gauff and Frances Tiafoe when the Tennis Black List congregates at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton on Thursday.

It is the second consecutive year the Tennis Black List, which was founded by Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey-Addo, will salute the achievements of the black community within tennis.

“I am humbled to receive this recognition from the Tennis Black List Steering Committee and their partners: the LTA, Barclays & YC Sports," said Kirkwood.

“I am hopeful that sharing the contributions made in tennis by this year’s award recipients will help to inspire the next generation of players and global leaders."

Kirkwood was appointed to the ITF’s Development department as Head of Performance and Events in 2021 and has been integral to the ITF’s mission to increase the number and standard of players worldwide.

A key objective of the ITF’s development strategy is to develop talented players, particularly from nations currently under-resourced and under-represented, so they have every chance of realising their potential.

Kirkwood has overseen key programmes that support these objectives, including the Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF International and Regional Touring Teams and Player Grants programme.

The ITF’s Regional Training Centres, and the 50-plus regional events that the Development department supports, also fall under Kirkwood’s remit – a body of work she has carried out with professionalism and distinction.

“I knew Debbie for at least two decades before she joined the ITF,” said Luca Santilli, Executive Director, Tennis Development. “I knew of her passion, people skills, sport performance knowledge and dedication to the player pathway.

“From her work at Tennis Canada, I knew she could bring all of this to the development of tennis globally and work for the ITF to benefit all nations, particularly the less developed ones.

“This award is wonderful recognition of Debbie’s passion for and dedication to the game. I am proud that she has achieved this at the ITF when we are embarking on a new 14-and under strategy to improve the player pathway globally.”

Prior to joining the ITF, Kirkwood spent 25 years at Tennis Canada and served as their Director of High Performance from 2006 until 2020 after initially being appointed the organisation’s national coach in 1994.

She was instrumental in Tennis Canada’s success in developing world class players and this award is testament to Kirkwood’s unstinting commitment to tennis development and the player pathway.

Congratulations, Debbie.