As part of the Brodies LPP Battle of the Brits Community Engagement Programme, on Friday 18 November High Life Highland’s Active Schools Team hosted Judy Murray OBE in delivering a coach education workshop at Inverness Royal Academy.
Judy has a range of experience of working in schools with teachers and practitioners to create a resource designed to deliver tennis in physical education for children and young people aged 5-18 in a fun, stimulating and engaging way.
Developing transferable skills
During the session, 36 teachers, sports leaders, parents, and local tennis club members learned how to deliver starter tennis sessions in school spaces for both primary and secondary pupils. They took away a suite of fun, innovative tennis activities to engage newcomers in the sport. 
The aim of the resource is to build confidence in deliverers; provide a platform for learners to develop physical competencies and cognitive skills; improve fitness, personal and interpersonal skills; and support learners with transferable skills to apply in other areas of their lives. It aims to provide an enjoyable but challenging activity for learners to better understand tennis without technical detail.
Judy said: “I believe that teachers and practitioners are key to growing tennis in Scotland, giving more children and young people the chance to play. I understand what tennis demands of new starts and the challenges of teaching tennis to large, mixed-ability groups in a range of school environments.”
Inspiring the next generation
Judy also delivered an engaging tennis session for 24 P4-P7 pupils from Bun Sgoil Inbhir Nis, Highland Council's purpose-built all Gaelic school, with the support of local sports leaders and she spoke to the whole school at an assembly.
Andrea Mackenzie, South Area Sports Development Manager at High Life Highland said:
“Having Judy Murray train and motivate local teachers, parents and sports leaders is a major boost for tennis in Inverness. We are thrilled that she is inspiring the next generation of tennis players.”
The Battle of the Brits is taking place on the 21 and 22 December 2022 at the P&J Live Arena, Aberdeen. The tennis tournament will include some of the best Scottish players, including Andy and Jamie Murray, hopefully inspiring even more people from across Scotland to get active!
