Portsmouth Tennis Centre is celebrating the success of one of its rising young squad players, Jasper.
Jasper, 14, joined Portsmouth Tennis Centre as an Aces Tennis Academy member at 8 years old. A programme aimed at youngsters aged 5 and upwards, the Aces Tennis Academy provides a progressive and fun tennis pathway for juniors and adults of all abilities. It runs alongside the LTA’s youth learning framework with an extra serving of fun.
Since beginning his tennis journey, Jasper has steadily risen through the competitive ranks. More recently, Jasper defeated four of the top seeds at Tennis Europe tournament in Dublin, Ireland; including Denmark’s top-ranked junior player. Following his fantastic performance, Jasper’s national ranking is set to rise to No. 22 in the UK.
We sat down with Jasper to find out more about his journey and how Portsmouth Tennis Centre has supported his progression:
How did you first get into tennis, and what drew you to the sport?
“I’ve loved sports from a very young age. When I first saw people playing tennis, it looked so fun and exciting that I wanted to give it a try. I picked up a racket at five years old, and I’ve been playing ever since.”
Can you tell us about your time with the Aces Tennis Academy? How did it help you develop your skills, and what was it like?
“I joined the Aces Tennis Academy when I was eight. My time at Portsmouth Tennis Centre is so enjoyable, and has shaped me both as a player and a person. Today I train most days with my coach, Macca, who has helped me grow as a tennis player while helping me improve my fitness and mental resilience.”
How do you balance school, training, and competitions?
“With the help of my parents and coach, I’ve built a detailed, structured schedule. Their support allows me to make the most of my free time outside of school so I can continue improving without wasting a single minute.”
What’s your favourite thing about playing at Portsmouth Tennis Centre?
“Definitely the one-on-one training with Macca. Since my very first day, I’ve been motivated to beat my coach, and that challenge keeps me working harder every time I’m on court.”
How has tennis shaped you as a person?
“After nine years of playing, tennis has taught me patience, persistence, and how to stay calm under pressure. I wouldn’t say discipline comes naturally to me, but these qualities have helped me grow a lot both on and off the court.”
Do you have any long-term ambitions, like playing professionally?
“Yes—I’m determined to become a professional athlete, and I’m working hard every day to achieve that goal.”
Do you have any pre-match rituals or lucky charms?
“Yes. I always carry my lucky charms: a necklace and a jade pendant on my backpack. They represent mysterious Eastern energy and are blessings from my family, giving me strength before matches.”
Portsmouth Tennis Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated on their behalf by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Macca Neaves, BH Live’s Head Coach at Portsmouth Tennis Centre, shared;
“We’re incredibly proud of Jasper and everything he’s achieved so far. He’s a perfect example of what dedication, hard work and a love for tennis can lead to. From his early days at Aces Tennis Academy to competing and winning against some of Europe’s top young players, Jasper’s progress has been remarkable. His attitude on and off the court inspires others in our programme, and we’re excited to see how far his talent and determination will take him.”
Alongside Aces Tennis Academy, Portsmouth Tennis Centre hosts free open days and sessions year-round to inspire more people to try tennis. Working with the LTA and community partners, BH Live’s coaches deliver an inclusive programme for all ages and abilities.
Over 400 players attend weekly sessions, including participants with head injuries, dementia, Down’s Syndrome and visual impairments. Sessions are tailored to individual needs, using adaptations such as smaller courts and rackets, foam balls, and slower-paced games. The fully accessible centre features ramps, automatic doors and accessible toilets.
To engage young people, the team runs family open days and funds tennis sessions in local schools. Last year, more than 1,200 children joined holiday camps—half supported by Portsmouth City Council’s HAF Fun Pompey programme, which provides meals and activities for families in need.
Recognised for its commitment to inclusivity, Portsmouth Tennis Centre was named the nation’s Most Inclusive Tennis Centre at the 2025 LTA Tennis Awards, winning the prestigious Tennis Opened Up Award.
For further information, visit bhliveactive.org.uk or speak to a member of our team in your local centre.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
These leisure centres are owned by Portsmouth City Council and run by registered charity BH Live.
Mountbatten Leisure Centre – Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue. Located in the heart of Hilsea, Mountbatten is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. Its large well well-equipped gym, accessible by lift, has multiple zones with something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness.
Dedicated training areas offer cardio machines, free weights, functional fitness spaces and more. With health and wellbeing professionals on hand, there is also an exercise referral team to offer guidance and support if recovering from an illness, injury or long term health condition. Group exercise classes run seven days a week and include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat, Sprint, Grit, Group Cycle, Bootcamp, Shapes, yoga, Pilates, aqua, group cycle, circuits, and more.
There is a 50 metre swimming pool (divided into two) with regular public swimming sessions, lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller teaching pool for little ones and lessons. Mountbatten is home to AquaDash – a large pool inflatable course – great fun for young people, team building away days, and parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.
Mountbatten offers a broad health and wellbeing programme which focuses on helping people with long-term conditions to stay active and build their confidence in one one-on-one or group settings.
Mountbatten is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction and an eight-court sports hall where multi-sport activities and events are held throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.
Open to members and non-members, a Terrace Café has free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks.
ANPR is in operation at Mountbatten Leisure Centre. There is free customer parking for up to four hours, seven days a week. Accessible spaces are available for Blue Badge holders. Charges apply for longer stays – see car park signage for details.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @mountbattenlc
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Pyramids Centre – BH Live Active, Pyramids is situated in Southsea overlooking the beach and Solent. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. The centre has state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment in an airy spacious gym with a wide range of functional fitness, strength and cardio activities. There is a dedicated assessment area for those who are new to exercise complete with fitness tracking technology to help set activity goals.
Pyramids has four activity studios. The Glasshouse and Solent each have stunning sea views. There is also the region’s only dedicated HIIT studio running circuits style HIT classes and a Technogym Group cycle studio. Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Group Cycling, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Yoga, Pilates and classes as part of the Les MillsTM programme including BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core.
As part of BH Live Active’s multisite membership, members can also use the gym, pools and classes at Mountbatten and Charter.
A South Terrace café and container bar opened in spring 2025, offering refreshments and stunning views in an outdoor setting overlooking the Solent.
Next to Pyramids is a public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. Up to two hours of free parking is available for customers attending the gym or a class – ask or register in centre. There is also free roadside parking along Clarance Esplanade after 6pm. This car park adjacent to Pyramids is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/pyramids.
Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @Pyramids.Centre
Exploria – Exploria at Pyramids in Southsea opened in 2021. It is Portsmouth’s largest indoor soft play and bounce attraction. With a range of exciting experiences, Exploria stimulates play for children aged 6 months and upwards. A tantalising sense of wonder and extreme fun across three connected worlds gives children plenty of action to amaze and delight. Everything, from floor to ceiling, evokes a sense of mystery with lots of jumps, leaps and thrills. All safely rightsized to inspire juniors, toddlers and babies alike.
The bounce zone is great for burning off tons of energy. The diving tower with air bag is perfect for the bravest of explorers. There are interactive games, themed slides. agility parkour, battle beams and foam pits too. Our play zone features ball pits, spider’s web and cargo climbing, a rope bridge skywalk, bash bags, tunnels, rollers, beams plus a dodge ball shoot out. And the baby and toddler zone has all things Exploria, but downsized for little ones of preschool age.
There are quieter SEN play and bounce sessions, plus a dedicated sensory room with stimulating lights, sound and touch. An additional sensory room featuring musical touch pads, liquid floor tiles, soft blocks and shapes, and calm sensory lighting opened in the centre in spring 2025.
Four themed party rooms based on Volcanos, an underwater world, Mayan Ruins and Egyptian tomb – great for celebrating special occasions and birthdays, A dedicated Exploria café serves delicious snacks, light bites and drinks. And there’s toilets, accessible facilities, baby change, lockers, and a buggy park too. Exploria can accommodate school group bookings too – a great way to reward a class or year group.
For more information and to book online visit exploria.org.uk
Get social with us:
Facebook, Instagram – @exploriauk
Exploria is located at Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3ST. There is a pay and display public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. This car park is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre – Located in Hilsea, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre and next to Mountbatten, Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre is one of the leading gymnastics facilities in the country.
A purpose-built gymnastics training facility provides young people and adults with the opportunity to develop to a competitive level with an artistic and acrobatic gymnastics club programme.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/gymnastics-centre
Get social with us:
Facebook – @PortsmouthGymnasticsCentre
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Portsmouth Tennis Centre – Situated in the north of Portsmouth (Hilsea) next to Mountbatten. Portsmouth Tennis Centre consists of four indoor courts and six floodlit outdoor courts.
A comprehensive coaching programme caters for visitors of all ages and abilities. Sessions are available for tots, juniors, and adults.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/tennis-centre
Get social with us:
Facebook – @PortsmouthTC
Instagram – @PortsmouthTennisCentre
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre – Located a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Wimbledon Park Sports Centre has a large sports hall with access to activities such as badminton and indoor sports.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/wimbledon-park
Get social with us:
Facebook – @WimbledonParkSportsCentre
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Charter Community Sports Centre – Located in Portsmouth’s busy university district, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Charter Community Sports Centre offers access to swimming, gym, group exercise classes and sports hall activities. There is also an outdoor multi-use games area.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/charter
Get social with us:
Facebook – @CharterCommunitySC
Instagram – @bhliveactive