New tennis academy at uni ‘reduces need for Park of Keir’
Stirling University has been named as one of the first two national academies for tennis in the UK.
Along with Loughborough University, it aims to play a crucial role in a enhancing tennis player development in the UK.
However, a leading figure in the Park of Keir protest said the move raises questions about the future of the Judy Murray’s tennis centre there.
The new performance strategy, of which the proposed Stirling University facility will be part, aims to start with affordable, high-quality local training for the youngest children and ends with a proscholarship programme for those players with greatest potential, selected between the ages of 16 to 24, who are capable of reaching the world’s top 100 and beyond.
In between, players will have the opportunity to pass through first one of 11 UK regional player development centres, run north of the border by Tennis Scotland including a network site in Stirling, to support high potential junior players aged 10-14.
The two national academies – due to open in September 2019 – aim to develop high-potential British players in full-time, residential, training environments. The programmes will nurture 13 to 18-year-olds (and sometimes younger) as people, players and performers. Players who demonstrate the greatest future potential in the sport will be supported with world-class coaching, science, medicine, and welfare expertise, whilst also being provided a mainstream education up to at least GCSE-level.
Locally, Beaconhurst School will welcome some of the young players.
The school’s director of sport Judith Graham said:“Beaconhurst has an excellent record of academic and sporting success. Providing opportunities to follow a dual career pathway of a student athlete is a proven and enriching experience. Placing education at the heart of this journey is an important part of developing young people as rounded individuals who can thrive and succeed in society.”
Stirling University’s director of sport Cathy Gallagher said:“Being awarded the national academy is fantastic news. Sport is intrinsically intertwined within the fabric of the University of Stirling. We are Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, we have a proven record of success at the high levels of performance sport, we host the Scottish National Tennis Centre and have worked in partnership with Tennis Scotland since 1991.
“The national academy in Stirling will unlock our potential to consistently produce tennis players for Scotland and Great Britain. Integrating the training of Britain’s brightest young players with our scholarship students presents benefits for everyone.
“We look forward to the exciting times ahead.”
Chief executive of Tennis Scotland, Blane Dodds said:“Scotland has enjoyed unprecedented levels of success in tennis with Andy and Jamie Murray, Gordon Reid and Colin Fleming. Players win championships but systems enable players to win consistently.
“Winning the National Academy helps us to enhance the world class sporting system in Scotland.”
The news was also welcomed by campaigners against the proposed new tennis centre, housing and hotel development at Park of Keir - backed by Andy and Jamie’s mum, tennis coach Judy Murray - who said they hoped it meant the controversial site was less likely to be developed.
RAGE chair Inga Bullen said:“This is good news for tennis in Scotland and maybe it reduces the need for another tennis centre on Park of Keir.”