Hyndlandnamedashome for new School of Tennis
HYNDLAND Secondary is to become a School of Tennis after successfully bidding to the sport’s governing body.
It comes following a year-long pilot with schools in Edinburgh that is now being rolled out across the country.
Secondaries were invited to apply to Tennis Scotland and the Tennis Foundation – and now six have been chosen.
Hyndland is the only one in Glasgow to be chosen for the honour.
Head teacher Maura McNeil said she is delighted to be part of the programme.
She said: “We are extremely excited about becoming a School of Tennis. We understand the vast opportunities this brings with it for the young people of Hyndland Secondary and our cluster Primary Schools.
“This will allow us to provide our young people with curricular tennis, leadership opportunities and event management opportunities.”
Feedback from the one-year pilot indicates that 94 per cent of the schools involved saw a significant and positive impact in their programmes due to the support from the School of Tennis pilot.
It is said to have increased the confidence and competence of pupils – and youngsters in Edinburgh were given a special masterclass from Judy Murray.
The aim of the School of Tennis is to revolutionise the way tennis is delivered in secondary schools by embedding tennis in the curriculum and getting more pupils playing the game in and out of school.
In Hyndland, pupils will play at the Western Tennis and Racquets Club.
Ms McNeil added: “We will work in close partnership with Western Tennis and Racquets Club and our cluster Primary Schools to promote lifelong participation and skills for learning, life and work through tennis within the Hyndland Community.”
More than 30 schools applied to be Schools of Tennis and six were chosen: Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh, Dunblane High School, Forres Academy in Moray, Musselburgh Grammar School and St Mungo’s High School in Falkirk.
Kirsty Humphries, education lead for Tennis Scotland, said: “We aspire to provide the best educational support package in sport, through traditional and modified versions of the game and a tailored package of developmental support we are creating the opportunity for all to pick up a racket and get involved.”