Michael Downey Steps Down As LTA Ceo

13 Jan 2017 | tshego

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The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has announced that Michael Downey has tendered his resignation and will leave his position as CEO in June.

Downey will be returning to his native country of Canada to take up the role of CEO at Tennis Canada, where he was initially hired in 2013.

He took over the role at the LTA from Roger Draper and focused on growing the game at grassroots level. Upon joining, the LTA was threatened with a cut in Sport England funding over a decline in participation figures.

He focused on courts in parks and and other public areas rather than traditional clubs and reversed the trend.

The LTA has taken steps to start the search for a replacement and has appointed a sub-committee led by David Gregson.

Downey said: “I’ve been honoured to have led the LTA over the last three years, as we’ve sought to drive grass-roots tennis.

“While the opportunity for me to return to Tennis Canada coincided with my personal desire to return to my home country, I am hugely proud of the foundations the team at the LTA have laid in order to turn participation in Britain’s beloved sport around.

“It’s an exciting time for tennis in this country and I look forward to the next six months, maintaining the momentum we’ve built in our continued mission to get more people playing tennis, more often.”

Chairman David Gregson said: “The progress we have made under Michael’s stewardship will continue. The centre of gravity of the LTA shifted when I joined and we will remain focused on grass-roots tennis.

“Michael has worked hard to ensure that the British Tennis strategy to get more people playing tennis more often is embedded in the organisation and more broadly amongst the tennis community.

“He has put in place the right executive team with the strengths, passion and commitment to continue delivering the strategy.

“While Michael’s move will be a great loss to the LTA, we respect his decision to lead the sport of tennis in his home nation, close to his family. We thank him for his hard work and dedication to tennis in Britain.”