National tennis player programme encourages hopes in the Borders

These initiatives, involving the junior district level players aged 8-18, have been the first tentative steps back to tennis for the youngsters, with almost 50 players across the region signing up for the leagues.

As restrictions continue to ease further, it’s hoped one-day competitions, team events with doubles, and district squad coaching can also resume in the next couple of months.

The cautious return comes about as Tennis Scotland has backed the country’s top talents with fresh funding and support via the launch of its National Player Programme.

Eleven players, from elsewhere around Scotland, will be able to access financial support for coaching and competition costs, centralised training in conjunction with the University of Stirling, home to the Scottish National Tennis Centre and GB National Tennis Academy, and sport science and medicine support via the sportscotland Institute for Sport as part of their participation in the programme.

The National Player Programme has been enhanced to help the most talented players realise their potential and prepare them for life on the tour.

The players concerned are Ali Collins, Jacob Fearnley, Ben Hudson, Ruairi Logan, Maia Lumsden, Sam Macleod, Aidan McHugh, Charlie Miller, Jonny O’Mara, Gordon Reid and Connor Thomson.

They are set to showcase their journeys on the Tennis Scotland social media channels as part of a forthcoming vlog series, which will give young fans an insight into the life of an aspiring Scottish tennis professional.

The programme is designed to help players aged 14+ advance their careers and make the transition into professional tennis at all levels of the game, with support tailored to each player’s individual needs.

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland chief executive, said: “We have an abundance of emerging talent on the tennis circuit and we’re thrilled to be able to announce the players taking part in this year’s programme.

“We already have a number of players playing at the highest level and we have a some very exciting young players aspiring to follow in their footsteps and those of Andy and Jamie Murray, both of whom have etched their names into tennis history, thanks to their achievements over the last decade or so.

“The National Player Programme has been designed to help the best Scottish talent reach their potential and we’re looking forward supporting them on their journey and helping them realise their potential.”

Borders junior district coach Jonny Adamson said: “It’s certainly fantastic news for the players involved, who are all the next generation of our sport, particularly during this uncertain time.

“It’s tough enough to break into professional sport without also throwing in the financial obstacles of the last few months too, so certainly a welcome injection of support.”

Regarding Borders tennis, Mr Adamson added: “A lot of work is going in from the local district coaching team to plan and prepare tennis activity for junior players of all ages and standards from August, subject to further announcements from Tennis Scotland.

“We have been fortunate to be one of the few sports allowed to resume at all since phase one, and clubs across the region have done an exceptional job to ensure their venue has had the relevant measures in place from day one to allow them to open safely.

“The box leagues, in particular, have been a great addition to our programmes, not only for getting players back on court again but also for providing

local, accessible and fun match practice for everyone.

“It is through initiatives like these that we’ll continue to create a healthy competition structure in the Borders that supports all players to fulfil their potential and, for some, that will hopefully mean reaching the heights of the National Player Programme one day too.”

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