The Tennis Academy in the News and Press

For any press enquiries, please contact Gayle Cordiner on 0131 312 2236, or 07852 132724.

Four nations competition: September 2007

Press Articles

The Independent - June 2007 (pdf file)
The Scotsman - June 2007 (pdf file)
Tennis Scotland Magazine - Summer 2007 (pdf file)
STV news, 14 Feb 2007 - New Tennis Academy Launches
Wimbledon, 14 Feb 2007 - Academy Chance for Tennis Aces
The Scotsman, 15 Feb 2007 - Scottish Tennis Academy will give youngsters chance to reach top
Press & Journal, 15 Feb 2007 - (part of Andy Murray story)
Evening News, 15 Feb 2007 - Edinburgh schools unite to find the next Andy Murray

Full Press Release, issued 13th February 2007:

The Tennis Academy, launching in Scotland in September 2007

Overview

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. 

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, Head, 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.

Background Information

The Tennis Academy - The start of something special…

Tennis Scotland and Merchiston have developed a programme which will ensure that pupils can combine an excellent education with unrivalled opportunities within the tennis profession, including expert coaching and aspects of fitness and sports science.  With a minimum of three sessions per week, the expectations placed on members of the Tennis Academy by the schools (Merchiston and St George’s) and the coaches will be very high.

The Tennis Academy will operate at two levels, with Tour Players and Challenger Players as outlined below.  Additionally, other members of the schools will be able to access the coaching and facilities to play tennis as an activity, at suitable times.

Tour Players: Tour players, recognised by Tennis Scotland as those who have the potential to compete at national level, will be on a reduced academic programme, but will still have the opportunity to be involved in school life at Merchiston and St George’s, where their tennis allows.  They will attend classes, and have the option of boarding at either school.

Challenger Players: Challenger players will be selected by Tennis Scotland and the schools as those who have the potential to compete at county level, and will have 3 sessions per week, while continuing a full academic programme.  Any of the Challengers should be able to compete for a place in the school team, and may be admitted at any age from 8 to 16, subject to meeting the school entry requirements.  They will be expected to be involved in all usual school activities, and may be day or boarding pupils.

Coach: Tennis Scotland are working with the schools to appoint a first rate full-time coach who will work with Tour and Challenger Players, supporting the existing coaching programme for Tour players on the Tennis Scotland Performance Plan.  This post will be advertised shortly.
Update: July 07 - Marcel du Coudray has been appointed!

Facilities: Merchiston are investing a significant amount in the resurfacing of three tennis courts, floodlighting and a practice area.  Our existing video analysis equipment and sports and fitness expertise will be valuable resources.  Additionally, we have reserved indoor court time at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, and a dedicated vehicle for transporting Tennis Academy members to courts.  Part of the Tennis Scotland programme for Tour Players will take place at the Scottish National Tennis Centre in Stirling.

The Programme: Tennis Scotland has developed a full tennis programme for the Academy Tour Players.  As a new programme they are looking to emulate the established academy programmes and to match the opportunities through long-term commitment to training and competition.  The programme will be based around a player’s formal education where Merchiston and St George’s offer a range of academic subjects to meet individual needs and preferences.  Flexible timetables ensure a comprehensive tennis schedule including individual technical work, squad technical work, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, performance analysis, psychology, and nutrition.  Each player will have an annual competition schedule and attendance at tournaments with coach support and sports medicine backup.  Tour players will be supported by the East of Scotland, and Scottish Institute of Sport, as well as being mentored by the Scottish National Coach.  There will also be opportunities to access overseas academy programmes for specialist training.

The Challenger Players (while following a full academic timetable) will have a high-level tennis programme incorporating all the areas listed above.  This will take place before school and in the afternoon and evenings.  They will join the Tour Players in Stirling at the National Tennis Centre one day a week for a six hour intensive programme, including analysis, technique and match-play.

Funding: The Tennis Academy players will be expected to pay school fees, plus a small Tennis Academy premium.  However, a number of bursaries are available for Tour Players at the discretion of the schools.  These will be tested in terms of ability, and means-tested based on the financial situation of the family.

Management: The Tennis Academy will be managed by Richard Charman, the Head of Physical Education at Merchiston.  A qualified PTR & LTA coach, he will look after the best interests of all members of The Tennis Academy.