Tennis Academy launched in Edinburgh

Following the success of Andy Murray (and indeed Graeme Dyce) there is a fresh enthusiasm for tennis in Scotland, and there is also a strong group of young players in Scotland with the potential to be the tennis stars of the future. Tennis Scotland have been working with these players, and are now joining with Merchiston and St George’s schools in Edinburgh, to allow these talented players, and other aspiring tennis players, to have the best possible chance of making their dream come true, while receiving a first-class education.

The Tennis Academy will launch in September 2007, and Tennis Scotland have prepared a programme to be run at the Scottish National Tennis Centre in Stirling, Craiglockhart Tennis Centre and on Merchiston’s campus in Colinton, Edinburgh. The Tennis Academy will be an integral part of the Tennis Scotland Performance Plan, the aim being to develop successful international tennis players. It is the first partnership in Scotland to provide specialised tennis training and a high level education with a specially adapted curriculum.

Merchiston and St George’s are leading independent schools in Edinburgh; Merchiston for boys and St George’s for girls, and they see this as an opportunity to use their experience in looking after talented individuals, to contribute to the future of tennis in the UK.

Link: http://www.merchiston.co.uk/tennis

Key Quotations

David Marshall, CEO, Tennis Scotland:
The launch of the forthcoming Tennis Academy will, I sincerely believe, prove to be pivotal in terms of the future development of the sport in this country and offer Scotland’s brightest prospects the opportunity to receive a tailored, individual tennis programme of the highest quality while at the same time, suffering no dilution to their general education standards.

This will enable Scotland to compete domestically with the specific kind of hybrid facility that has, up until now, only been available outwith this country. There will undoubtedly still be situations in the future where, for an individual’s own benefit, they spend a period of time abroad to develop their game but now, at least, we will have a home based option also available.

Merchiston has demonstrated admirable vision and foresight in the way the team there has enthusiastically embraced the concept of The Tennis Academy and while this will be the first of its kind in Scotland, I am certain it will set the blueprint for the way forward in the years to come.

Andrew Hunter, Headmaster, Merchiston:
At Merchiston we have experience in dealing with gifted and talented children, in all areas of life, including International sports players. The Tennis Academy is a wonderful opportunity to keep Scottish (and indeed UK) talent in the UK, and provide an environment for these players where they get an excellent education, can be around friends of their own age, and access a top class tennis training programme.

Judith McClure, Headmistress, St George’s School for Girls:
We at St George’s look forward to working with Tennis Scotland, to support tour players and to increase the opportunities to enjoy tennis for all our pupils.

Ellinore Lightbody, National Coach:
We are delighted that Merchiston and St George’s will form this exciting partnership with Tennis Scotland as part of our academy programme. The Academy will offer a first class training and competition programme, full sports science and medicine support around a top education tailored to meet the needs of each individual. Being able to deliver all aspects of the programme within close proximity greatly enhances the amount of quality time spent progressing the player. For those that choose to board, the experience of life away from home is an ideal step towards life on the tour, to which all aspiring players need to adapt. I am extremely excited as to the potential of The Tennis Academy in supporting potential world-class players reach their goals.