A new chapter for community sport in West Lothian began last year with the official opening of Murieston Tennis and Sports Club (MTSC) in Livingston.
The non-profit initiative was four years in the making and is already transforming opportunities for local people to get active.
The facility, located in Murieston next to the grounds of Livingston Cricket Club, is a registered venue with Tennis Scotland and features three high-quality floodlit tennis courts and a floodlit multi-use games area (MUGA), creating a versatile space for sports including tennis, basketball, netball, pickleball and football.
With over 125 members already signed up and growing, MTSC is quickly establishing itself as a cornerstone of the local Community Sport Hub.
Murieston Tennis and Sports Club is one of the anchor clubs of Livingston South Community Sport & Wellbeing Hub, which is part of the national sportscotland Community Sport Hub network and supported by West Lothian Council.
Funded by The National Lottery, the Community Sport Hub programme brings sports clubs and community organisations together to create stronger, safer, more sustainable and inclusive hubs, helping to increase the impact of sport and physical activity across communities in Scotland.
A collaborative approach
MTSC is the result of years of determination by a small group of dedicated volunteers who shared a vision: to create a welcoming, inclusive space where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to access sport and physical activity.
That vision was made possible through a combination of grassroots fundraising and strategic investment.
A total of £350,000 of funding was secured, including £160,000 from West Lothian Council’s Place Based Investment Programme, with additional support from sportscotland, West Lothian Development Trust and the Benzies Foundation.
The project also received £143,000 of investment from sportscotland, helping to transform part of the Livingston Cricket Club grounds into a vibrant multi-sport hub for the Murieston community. Delivered in partnership with Tennis Scotland, West Lothian Council and local stakeholders, the project demonstrates the impact of collaborative investment in creating accessible, high-quality sporting facilities. sportscotland was proud to support the development and worked closely with partners to help bring the community’s vision to life.
MTSC Chairperson Andy Bull said:
“Our goal has been to encourage and enable healthy activities for all ages and backgrounds by delivering this fantastic new facility in Murieston.
“Huge thanks go to sportscotland, West Lothian Council, West Lothian Development Trust and the Benzies Foundation for backing our vision.
““This is very much a community facility, with local people really getting behind the project and local companies playing a key role in its construction. We hope to continue to grow our membership as well as the types of activities taking place here, establishing the club as a key part of an active, thriving community.”
A hub of activity for all
The facility is already seeing good levels of engagement and activity. Tennis coaching sessions for adults and children are underway, while regular social tennis nights on Thursdays and pickleball sessions on Mondays and Fridays are proving especially popular. Local netball club, the West Lothian Netters have been using the MUGA for training and matches since the facility opened, with other local groups also using the facility.
MTSC is actively working in partnership with West Lothian Council’s Active Schools team, local scout groups as well as other sports clubs and groups to increase participation, particularly amongst people facing barriers to participation.
Tennis Scotland’s Participation Development Manager, Grant Shearer, praised the project:
“It is fantastic to see this venue complete and achieving everything it was set out to do for the local community. The venue is already a success with a growing membership and an engaging coaching programme for all ages and abilities. Well to done to Andy and everyone who has been involved in the development of the venue, and I am sure the facility and the club will be a success for many years to come.“
Inclusion, impact and opportunity
At the heart of MTSC’s mission is inclusivity. The club is committed to removing barriers to participation by offering open access, free equipment and subsidised opportunities for those who need it most. Planned summer camps, with funded places for disadvantaged children, aim to ensure everyone has the chance to get involved.
The impact is already being felt across the community:
Participation: A growing, diverse membership with strong engagement across a range of demographics
Partnerships: Collaboration with schools, community organisations, local clubs and West Lothian’s Active Schools & Community Sport Service
Targeted support: Funding directed towards making sport accessible for disadvantaged groups
Volunteering: A strong volunteer base driving community engagement and club development
Community benefit: Use of local suppliers, improved land use and integration with Livingston Cricket Club
Meeting community need
Coaches and volunteers have already noticed an increase in confidence and enthusiasm among young participants using the facility.
Glenn Marsters, Community Sport Coordinator with West Lothian Council, highlighted the broader significance:
“This project has exceeded all of my expectations. The most satisfying aspect is seeing how much the community has engaged with the project from the beginning, and how it is literally changing lives in small but effective ways.”
With tournaments, team matches, free open days and expanded programmes planned, MTSC is only just getting started. Its success demonstrates the power of community-led sport to bring people together, improve wellbeing and create lasting opportunities.
As the Livingston South Community Sport & Wellbeing Hub continues to grow, Murieston Tennis and Sports Club stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision.
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