BACKGROUND
Max Stotesbury was 18 when he died in a car accident in October 2004. His parents, Tara and Michael, decided to set up “Give it your Max” (GIYM) in his memory.
Max had spent much of his spare time not only playing tennis, but also helping others to learn the game. In the summer of 2004 he became a qualified PTR tennis coach and during the holidays and at weekends he would assist Dan Bloxham with the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative (WJTI).
Since 2001, this Initiative funded by a partnership of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and the London boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth has provided instruction and facilities for underprivileged children in the London boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth.
Tara and Michael had always been impressed by the structure of WJTI and its achievements. To date, coaches have visited over 230 schools and provided nearly 70,000 kids with their first experience of playing the game. The more talented have been invited to participate in focussed sessions at weekends and during school holidays.
Max had really enjoyed going into local schools to see what talent lay undetected. Leaving home at 7.30 am (no easy task for an 18 year old!) and not returning until around 6 pm, he never failed to be amazed by some of these kids. Though few of them had ever picked up a racket before, he admired their enthusiasm for the game and how they would give it their all. No tears when they fell over, just frustration, followed by the desire to get up and do it again.
Since Max had so enjoyed contributing to the success of the WJTI, Tara and Michael considered that there were considerable opportunities, if not a crying need, for similar schemes to be set up in other locations within London and the Home Counties.
It was also considered that support should be extended to the Dan Maskell TennisTrust which provides opportunities for players with physical disabilities to play just for fun or to compete at a national level with participation in European and World events, including the Olympic Games.
Max really did ‘give his max’ to everything he achieved in his short, yet hectic, life. It is hoped that his commitment and his energy will rub off on all those who will benefit from this lasting tribute to him.
