Pupils inspired by Murray as £1m tennis facility is promoted

Published on 20/11/2012 02:23

TENNIS: Judy Murray, mother of Andy, joined forces with Drumchapel Tennis Club’s head coach David Campbell to pay a visit to Camstradden Primary School and help inspire the pupils as they look forward to a £1 million tennis development within the area.

Drumchapel Knightswood Parks are both set to be resurfaced and have new fencing and floodlights installed.

Both sites are managed by Glasgow Life on behalf of Glasgow City Council and 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.

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 and the Tennis Foundation.

The hope is that the new courts will improve access for people from all parts of the community to play tennis year round. Work is anticipated to start in the near future and will be complete by spring 2013.

Fifty pupils from Camstradden Primary enjoyed the coaching session – and every one was presented with a tennis racket.

“We had a great session with the kids,” said Judy. “It is really encouraging to see them all so excited about playing tennis. The community project will give more of these youngsters the opportunity to further advance their tennis skills outside of school hours, whether it is down at the local club or at one of the refurbished Park sites.

“Facilities like Drumchapel Park and Knightswood Park in the heart of the local community are ideal venues for young people to come along and get involved in tennis.”

City treasurer Councillor Paul Rooney added: “The success of Andy Murray, not just at London 2012 and the US Open, but in recent years, has shown the world that Scotland can produce world champion 
tennis players.

“We want to see that continue and that is why we are investing in our tennis facilities, including Drumchapel Park and Knightswood Park, which will become real community assets in the future.

Margaret Coyle, Head Teacher of Camstradden Primary School, added: “Our school team will be positively 
motivated by a visit from Judy Murray.

“The pupils and their families are engaging fully with the improving our health and wellbeing agenda. We are very well supported by our Active Schools Co-ordinator and have benefited from her pro-active approach to involving a mixture of coach led and teacher led activities.”