The Lawn Tennis Association has issued an apology after a former coach was jailed for abusing an under-age girl.
Daniel Sanders was the head coach at the Wrexham Tennis Centre, which is an LTA accredited high performance centre. In July, Sanders admitted to seven counts of sexual activity with an under-age girl and encouraging her to engage in sexual activity. He was sentenced to a total of six years in prison in July.
An exclusive report by The Guardian has revealed that concern’s about Sanders bullying and conducted with children were raised as far back as 2012. In a letter obtained by the organisation, one parent complained that their daughter was a victim of bullying over a two-year period.
“I feel Wrexham is a bomb waiting to go off if coaches are allowed to get away with the issues I have mentioned and if everybody, including the LTA, wants to bury their head in the sand, then on your heads be it.” A letter to the LTA’s safeguarding team in 2014 read.
One unnamed coach has also claimed that Sanders told one female player that he would string her racket in return for a sexual favour. He would also openly rate players in terms of attractiveness.
Richard Hughes is a police chief inspector. His daughter attended training sessions with Sanders and also complained of bullying. In 2012 he held a meeting with the head of safeguarding at the centre, Bob Moore. Hughes, who has worked in the police for over 30 years, accused Moore of not tackling the issue.
“I told Bob Moore that I had looked just at Sanders’ behaviour and incidents which were known about: the pornography in public, the bullying and arrogance, the mind games he was playing with the girls, and that in my professional view Sanders fitted the profile of a sexual predator,” Hughes told The Guardian.
“It was the way he acted as if the normal rules of conduct didn’t apply to him. But nothing was done. These people failed to protect children.”
LTA responds
Following the latest claims about the management of Sanders, the LTA has pledged to conduct an investigation into the matter. Sanders was a former doubles partner of Tim Henman and also previously advised Jamie Murray.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of children who play tennis. Creating a secure, respectful environment for those in our sport is our top priority as an organisation.” The LTA empathized in a statement.
“We have always been committed to having the best safeguarding procedures possible at every level of the game, but in this case the actions we took were not enough, and we apologise sincerely for the impact on all those affected.”
The focus of the governing body is now on The Wrexham Tennis Centre. A facility located in North East Wales that has seven indoor and seven outdoor courts. An investigation will be launched with the findings to be published at a later date.
“Following the conclusion of the legal case, we have decided to undertake a wide-ranging, independent inquiry into Wrexham Tennis Centre and this case. The inquiry will look at what lessons everyone in tennis can learn and we will publish its findings once it is complete.” The LTA explained.
Sanders was arrested in 2016, four years after it was claimed that the first complaint about his behaviour was submitted to the LTA.
