Surbiton_Trophy_Programme_2017

Aegon
A lasting
legacy
lot has changed since Aegon joined British
A Tennis as its first ever lead partner back
in 2009.
We’ve enjoyed Davis Cup glory, Andy Murray’s
Grand Slam titles, Johanna Konta breaking into the
world’s top-10, and a grass-court season going from
strength to strength.
Aegon has been at the forefront of British Tennis’
efforts to grow the game we all love across the
country. As the partnership comes to an end after
nearly a decade of working together, we sat down
with Aegon UK’s Head of Brand and Sponsorship,
Tara McGregor-Woodhams, to look back over the
company’s fondest memories of its time in tennis.
“It’s tricky to pick out one highlight for us as
there are so many to choose from” Tara says. “In no
particular order, I’d say the Aegon Championships
being named Tournament of the Year four years in a
row, seeing our boys win the Davis Cup, and helping
3,000 talented youngsters through the Aegon
FutureStars programme rank up there among the
greatest memories.”
For many British Tennis fans, Tara included, the
2015 Davis Cup victory will be a moment that lives
long in the memory. Not since 1936 had the British
topped the team tennis charts, but Leon Smith’s
Aegon GB Team made history with their stunning
victory over Belgium in Ghent two years ago.
“It was the most amazing achievement and a team
effort that had been five years in the making,” Tara
says. “Leon is a brilliant captain and kept the team
focused as they climbed through the divisions.
“I will never forget the opening in Ghent when
the curtain came down and the crowds roared.
The atmosphere was utterly electric. The team’s
performance was absolutely staggering. It was such a
privilege to be part of history.”
Glory at the elite end of the spectrum makes the
headlines, but Tara says the grass roots of the game
have been just as important to Aegon.
“For nine years, we’ve supported Britain’s top
young players through our FutureStars programme,”
she adds. “It’s lovely to see our original FutureStars
Jo Konta break into the women’s top 10 and Kyle
Edmund make the men’s top 40.”
From international glory to growing the
grassroots, Aegon has been committed to British
Tennis for nine years. For that we say thank you,
and we are sure we will continue to see Tara and the
team courtside for years to come.
10 Aegon surbiton trophy 2017