Tennis Scotland launches National Player Programme
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Tennis Scotland will provide tailored coaching, funding and promotional support to the country’s next generation of stars as part of a new agreement.
The National Player Programme has been enhanced to help the most talented players realise their potential and prepare them for life on the tour.
Eleven players have access to centralised training in conjunction with the University of Stirling, home to the Scottish National Tennis Centre and GB National Tennis Academy.
SportScotland Support
In addition, they will receive expert sport science and medicine support via the sportscotland Institute for Sport and financial grants towards coaching and competition costs.
Up-and-coming youngsters Connor Thomson, 19, and Jacob Fearnley, 18, who won two Grade 1 events and reached the quarter-finals in the junior boy’s doubles at Wimbledon last year, will continue to receive support from Tennis Scotland via the programme.
Grand Slam winner Gordon Reid
Two-times wheelchair singles Grand Slam winner and Paralympic gold-medallist Gordon Reid, Scotland’s women’s number one player Maia Lumsden, doubles star Jonny O’Mara and 19-year-old prospect Aidan McHugh are also among the players who have been enrolled.
The players 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. This will include:
- Access to one-to-one coaching and support
- Strength and conditioning programming and wider science and medicine support
- Media and brand training
Blane Dodds Chief Executive
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.”
The players recently returned to the tennis courts following the easing of lockdown restrictions by the Scottish Government which has allowed them to train.
O’Mara became the first to participate in a professional event when he partnered with Joe Salisbury in the Battle of the Brits at the National Tennis Centre in London where they reached the semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Reid is set to take part in the US Open later this month while Lumsden will also mark her return to top-level tennis when she takes part in the Progress Tour Women’s Championship.
Jonny O’Mara said: “The Tennis Scotland National Player Programme has provided me with the foundations to help me reach the very top and I’m really proud to be part of it alongside so many other talented Scottish tennis players.
“The last couple of months have been challenging for everyone involved in the sport but I’m so happy to be back on court again and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Maia Lumsden added: “As a tennis player, you often find yourself travelling all around the world to play in tournaments and that would not be possible with the ongoing support of Tennis Scotland via the National Player Programme.
“I’m really excited about the prospect of competing again very soon and it’s a huge boost to have Tennis Scotland backing me on my journey.”
Tennis Scotland National Player Programme participants
- Ali Collins
- Jacob Fearnley
- Ben Hudson
- Ruairi Logan
- Maia Lumsden
- Sam Macleod
- Aidan McHugh
- Charlie Miller
- Jonny O’Mara
- Gordon Reid
- Connor Thomson
