To continue my dream and become best version of me

Aim

To raise as much as possible to achieve my dreams and also embark on the initial journey that I set out upon with my Mum.

Hi, Here's a bit about about me and my story.  

I'm Taro Keens known as 'Taz'.  I was given a tennis racquet by my parents who were looking to channel my boundless energy, i'd like to think their decison paid off.  As a fierce and fearless junior, I maintained top 10 National ranking status from under 10's to under 18's. Competing at Junior Wimbledon and achieving an International Junior world ranking.

  Unfortunatley my life then came crashing down when all of a sudden I lost my Mum, I was just 16.  My mum who was the main reason I even played Tennis and was my biggest supporter, her famous words "when the going gets tough, Taz gets going" has helped me through the toughest time in my life and every time I compete, I realise the dream that we shared.  Having turned down a US college scholarships due to this extremely difficult time in my life, I fell into coaching young people who are passionate about tennis and have continued this for the last 7 years now currently coaching at a tennis club in London.

Now at a new stage in my life I've decided to return to competing and over the past year I am back chasing my dream, winning 4/6 women's events in the UK. To further progess this initial sucess i've moved into the International Circuit.  I am searching to raise funds to be able to participate in major WTA International competitions this year. On average it costs around £30,000 for a years worth of travel, accommodation and expenses, this doesn't include any coaching and training, that is a necessity to get to the right level to compete.  Due to my circumstances and missing out on competing from junior to senior level I do not receive any funding whatsoever.

In 2017 I was the British Tennis Tour Event Champion, also successfully reaching Semi-finals and Quarter Finals in similar events. Closing the year in Top 15 in the UK, I have started 2018 competing in my first (WTA) International Tennis events.  This postive start has left me more passionate, determined and focused than ever before to fulfil my potential in the sport of tennis. 

For me, this is more than a simple dream but a real chance to be the best that I can be, which I am focused on and working my way towards my goals on a daily basis.

Your kind donations will help towards achieving my dreams and also embark on the initial journey that I set out upon with my Mum, anything that you can do to help, I am eternally grateful for.

If you'd like to follow my journey with me please follow my tennis page https://www.instagram.com/tazkeenstennis/

Taz x

This project successfully funded on 7th May 2018