Tennis ace in race against time to net £24,000 cash

Published on Thursday 10 July 2008 10:29

A TENNIS prodigy from Portobello coached by Andy Murray's mother is now facing a race against time to find sponsorship to attend a world-class academy.

Emma Devine, 13, is one of the country's top young tennis players after winning her way through the ranks.

The talented teenager is one of only four girls in Europe who have won the chance to train at former world number one Justine Henin's new academy in Belgium.

But her family have less than two months to raise 24,000 to enable her to take up the opportunity. They are appealing for sports bodies, private companies and individuals to help the youth fulfil her dream.

Emma was encouraged to apply for the school by Andy Murray's mother Judy, who has been coaching her for the last few years. She was spotted by Henin's business partner and former coach Carlos Rodriguez at the assessment with dozens of girls from around the world. She hopes to begin training on September 1, but said this depends on finding sponsorship.

Emma, a pupil at St Thomas Of Aquins RC High School, said: "I've always wanted to go to a full-time tennis academy. This is a great programme, but there's no way my family could afford it on our own. I'll be playing about five hours a day, while I only train for about an hour-and-a-half here. I'll be practising with players from all over the world.

"I've always loved Justine Henin. It will be amazing to meet her and train with her coach."

Emma currently trains at Craiglockhart Tennis & Sports Centre. She has sponsorship deals with Fred Perry and racquet company Babolat, as well as around 4000 funding from Tennis Scotland and the Lawn Tennis Association. But even if this continues, her family still have to make up the 20,000 shortfall.

Her father Ken, an accountant, said: "It's a great sadness that someone who's been recognised at Emma's level may not be able to take up this opportunity.

"We're still hoping to get some sponsorship. This has all happened very, very quickly. Suddenly money has become an important issue.

"Tennis is certainly an elitist sport. It's a shame that this narrows down the pool of talent. People go on about the fact Britain doesn't produce champions, but players like Andy Murray had to go abroad to train. Emma is having to do the same."

Emma has been offered the place for a year initially, but it is likely to be extended. As well as coaching, she will be given nutritional and medical advice, and physiotherapy.

Mhairi Brown, Emma's coach at Craiglockhart, said: "There are very few players at her level in Scotland. It will make a big difference going to the academy."

THE FACTS

Emma began playing tennis aged five with her older brothers at Leith's Next Generation Club. By the age of seven, she had started playing in junior tournaments around the country.

She was chosen to play for Scotland for the first time when she was ten. She is now the Scottish number two player in her age group.

She trains at Craiglockhart Tennis & Sports Centre with Mhairi Brown, and is also coached by Judy Murray, the mother of Andy and Jamie.

She was a finalist in the Scottish Junior Open Championships this month and became the Scottish under-14 indoor champion earlier this year.

Her most recent success was winning the British Tennis Coaches Association Player Plus tournament in May.

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