The LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, Tennis Scotland, sportscotland and the Scottish Government are working together to grow tennis in Scottish schools. This new investment is intended to capitalise on growing participation in Scotland and recognise the inspirational achievements of Andy Murray and Jamie Murray over many years, contributing to the ongoing achievements of players including Gordon Reid, Jacob Fearnley, Cam Norrie and Maia Lumsden.
The new funding will be invested by the LTA Tennis Foundation and sportscotland into the LTA Youth Schools programme. Tennis Scotland and sportscotland Active Schools network will work directly with schools in Scotland, with the ambition of giving every schoolchild in Scotland the opportunity to pick up a racket and experience tennis, regardless of age, gender, ability, disability or background. This investment will also create opportunities for children to continue to play tennis outside of their school by creating links to local clubs, parks and venues with affordable programmes.
Scottish engagement with the programme is already higher than the rest of Great Britain, with 53% of the 2,487 schools across the country having received support from the LTA and LTA Tennis Foundation, in partnership with Tennis Scotland, and more than 2,000 teachers are currently trained to deliver tennis sessions.
Today’s announcement makes a package of support available to every school in Scotland, allowing them to deliver tennis during and outside the school day by training teachers, providing equipment and building links with local accredited coaches, schools, and LTA registered clubs and venues, therefore creating a pathway for sustained tennis participation.
Meanwhile all parties remain committed to working on securing the future for a tennis centre of national significance for Scotland and are continuing to discuss options for this.
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “We are delighted to announce this significant investment for tennis. By building on our strong partnership with Tennis Scotland, the LTA and Scottish Government, our aim is to deliver free tennis in schools right across the country, enabling more children and young people to reap the benefits of sport and physical activity.
“By working with our existing networks across the sector we can deliver significantly more opportunities to play tennis, breaking down some of the barriers to participation and building on the growing success of this exciting sport.”
Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive said: “This is a tremendous opportunity to put a racket in the hand of every child in Scotland. Wherever they come from we want kids to know tennis is a game for them. The LTA is committed to investing in Scotland and building on the successes of recent years, and this is the latest in a series of investments that includes facilities and player development.”
Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to announce our aim of giving every child in Scotland the opportunity to pick up a racket and try tennis.
“Our participation figures show that there is a massive appetite for tennis in Scotland and this funding will help recognise the inspirational successes of many Scottish players on the global stage in recent years.
“Thank you to our partners the LTA, sportscotland and the Scottish Government for their continued support and significant investment, which will ensure more young people get involved in a sport that can last a lifetime.”
Sport Minister Maree Todd said: “Tennis is continuing to grow in Scotland and young people feel inspired by the fantastic achievements of our tennis stars, both past and present.
“This additional funding will widen access to the sport in our schools by offering every young person in the country the opportunity to pick up a racket and ball to play tennis.”
