Introducing Free Tennis for Children in Scotland
A recent surge in tennis participation among children in the UK has prompted a significant move in Scotland, where a new £1 million funding initiative aims to introduce the sport to all children up to the age of 15 free of charge. This funding aligns with a broader interest in enhancing tennis access across Scottish schools and building on the legacies of celebrated athletes like Andy Murray.
Collaboration for Growth
Tennis Scotland, together with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), sportscotland, and the Scottish Government, is keen to leverage the increasing number of young players in the region, particularly following the notable accomplishments of local tennis icons including Andy and Jamie Murray, Cameron Norrie, and Maia Lumsden.
According to available data, approximately 280,000 children—representing about 40% of the youth population—take to the tennis courts annually in Scotland. Moreover, 45% of those who haven’t yet tried tennis express a desire to play. This follows a UK-wide uptick in tennis participation, with reports showing a 6% rise to nearly 3.9 million children aged 4-15 engaging in the sport, along with an 8% increase in the number of children playing monthly.
Goals of the Initiative
In a bid to ramp up participation further, this newly allocated money is set to support LTA Youth Schools, a program that aims to expand its reach across Scottish educational institutions, which currently only sees participation from a little over half of the schools. The funding will cover:
- Training for teachers
- Providing necessary equipment
- Facilitating access to coaching
Blane Dodds, the chief executive of Tennis Scotland, emphasized that the goal of this initiative is to ensure that every young Scot has the opportunity to learn and enjoy tennis.
Future of Tennis in Scotland
This infusion of cash comes after the cancellation of a major £20 million community sports project planned for the Park of Keir, which faced opposition due to planning complications and local resistance to its location on greenbelt land. Despite this setback, tennis authorities assert that efforts to establish a significant tennis center in Scotland remain a priority, with discussions ongoing to explore potential options.
