Friday 17 January 2008
It was advantage tennis today with the announcement of a sportscotland investment of £303,000 in Tennis Scotland for 2007/08.
The investment, of which £180,000 is from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, will go towards coaching and performance development, strengthening sportscotland’s role as a major supporter of Tennis Scotland.
The accomplishments of both Jamie and Andy Murray plus Glasgow's Jamie Baker have reinvigorated the sport in Scotland. All three were part of GB's winning Davis Cup team who beat Croatia 4-1 in September last year, highlighting the impact the Scots are now making at elite level. 2008 has already seen Andy Murray lift his fourth major title at the Qatar Open and rejoin the world’s top 10, while Jamie Baker qualified for the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in Australia. All three Scots will be vying for places in next month’s Davis Cup tie against Argentina.
The junior ranks are also producing some very encouraging results with Graeme Dyce winning the men's doubles competition at the Junior Australian Open last year, while wheelchair tennis player Gordon Reid is ranked in the world’s top four at junior level and is one of Britain’s brightest medal hopes for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Tennis Scotland have created a comprehensive development programme to encourage more young players to remain in the sport and their work is paying dividends. There has been a 35% increase in junior participation numbers over the past two years with a number of very promising young athletes coming through. The funding announced today will allow Tennis Scotland to expand their development work and support the next generation of players who have the potential to succeed on the world stage.
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive, sportscotland said: “The success of Andy and Jamie Murray has done so much to promote Scotland as a tennis nation and it is now time to build on these achievements.
“Seeing Scots performing well on the world stage is an excellent motivator to others and hopefully many more young people will feel inspired to get involved in the sport and reach their full potential.”
Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, David Marshall said: “Naturally we are delighted with the funding announcement from sportscotland with whom we have enjoyed a lengthy and mutually beneficial association.
“Our partnership with sportscotland is integral in terms of the development of tennis in this country, particularly at grass roots level, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future, at a very exciting and challenging time for our sport.”
Another sport also benefited from this round of funding. The martial art of Jujitsu received a boost with an investment of £3,000 to support their organisational development.
- The £303,000 investment in Tennis is made up of £180,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £123,000 from sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Government.
- In 2007 sportscotland invested over £10 million in 54 sports governing bodies
- sportscotland passionately believe in the benefits of sport from the enjoyment and sense of achievement that participation brings, to the shared pride that national success generates.
- Our mission is to encourage everyone in Scotland to discover and develop their own sporting experience, helping to increase participation and improve performances in Scottish sport.
- We aim to achieve our mission by leading and supporting our partners, investing National Lottery and Scottish Government funding where it counts and advising on policy and strategy for the future.