Judy Murray was in Glasgow today to unveil new tennis courts as part of a citywide £1million project that will help inspire the next generation of tennis stars.
Judy, mother of current world No. 2 and Olympic gold medal winner Andy Murray and former Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Jamie Murray, visited the newly refurbished courts in Drumchapel Park along with Tennis Scotland Chief Executive David Marshall, current Scottish under-12 stars Chloe Compson, Catriona Macintosh, Alicia Gates and Emma Forrest and children from the local community.
The courts in Drumchapel Park have been resurfaced and have had new fencing and floodlights installed as part of the project. Knightswood Park is also being improved as part of the project. Both sites are managed by Glasgow Life on behalf of Glasgow City Council. Glasgow Life is working closely with Tennis Scotland and Drumchapel Tennis Club on the project.
Once complete the improved courts will support the delivery of Glasgow's Tennis Facilities Strategy and will be free for the public to use. Further phases of the project will be rolled out in due course.
Speaking today in Drumchapel Judy said: "The new courts in Drumchapel Park and Knightswood Park will really help to grow the game in the Glasgow area. They are right at the heart of the local communities and will give people of all ages the chance to try tennis.
"It is fantastic to be here with so many local kids and some of Scotland's most promising young female players. It's an exciting time for tennis in this country and public courts like these, which are affordable and accessible, are exactly what is needed to encourage everyone to play."
The investment in tennis facilities and programmes is part of a community tennis pilot project, one of eight around Great Britain being supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the Tennis Foundation, to help identify what works best in growing the game at a local level.
The Glasgow pilot is supported by Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life and Tennis Scotland. The improvements at the courts in Drumchapel Park and Knightswood Park cost around £350,000.
Judy's visit comes ahead of community open days at both sites this weekend.
Members of the public can come down and try out the new courts at Drumchapel Park on Saturday 13 April between 10am and 3pm. Those attending will be able to take part in free coaching sessions, fastest serve competitions, cardio tennis workouts a beat the coach competition.
David Marshall, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive said: "Judy's visit today was really inspirational and brought plenty of smiles to the young people's faces. The investment in these park courts and the partnership with the local club will provide a tennis hub for the local community to be proud of, at a time when the profile of the sport has never been higher."
Mike Bain, Community Tennis Projects and CITCs Director for the Tennis Foundation and LTA said: "Key to the success of this project is the link that has been forged between Drumchapel Community Tennis Club and the new tennis facilities at Drumchapel Park and Knightswood Park, which are only a couple of miles away. Going forward, it's exciting for both the club and the local community near the parks to have this opportunity to access both pay and play tennis and to link in with the programmes that already exist at the Community Tennis Club."
A survey carried out by the LTA highlighted that a high percentage of tennis participation in Glasgow took place at community places to play, in particular in parks. The Glasgow pilot aims to improve on existing and develop brand new community provision in order to sustain and grow current participation and provide opportunities for a captive, new tennis audience.
Image by Mark Nouillan, Tennis Scotland.
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