Tennis Scotland Player Development
Scottish National Player Pathway
Tennis Scotland’s Performance mission is to build a world-class player development pathway that aligns with the LTA Performance Strategy and aims to develop the best Scottish players.
The Scottish National Player Pathway consists of three stages, ranging from 11U to professional.
Our 11U programme supports the delivery of localised coaching in partnership with Districts, aiming to provide a positive learning environment for aspiring young players embarking on their tennis journey.
Players deemed to have the appropriate ambition and level can then transition to the Scottish Player Development Centre from ages 11-16. Scottish players aged 14-18 who meet the criteria are also eligible for the GB National Tennis Academy based in Loughborough.
The National Player Programme supports the highest-ranked and most promising Scottish players aged 16+ to achieve their goals on the national and international stages.
11U development programmes provide a fun, positive and engaging learning environment for aspiring young Scottish players at the start of their tennis journeys.
Delivered in partnership with Districts, the programmes operate across Scotland to increase local training and competitive opportunities and raise standards, all underpinned with the purpose of developing competitive, focused athletes.
Players are supported to feel comfortable and skilled in all areas of the court with an emphasis on helping them find and develop their game style.
The SPDC aims to provide a high-quality environment for Scottish players aged 11-16 to maximise their development as individuals and tennis players.
One national programme delivered from three locations – the University of Stirling, Oriam in Edinburgh and Scotstoun in Glasgow – caters for the needs of young players as they develop their games in training and challenge themselves by competing in domestic and international events.
Players have their weekly schedule designed around their age and stage of development, including a mixture of squad and individual sessions, strength and conditioning, mental skills support, video analysis, match charting, nutrition support, tournament support, camps and trips.
The NPP aims to support Scotland’s highest ranked and most promising junior and senior players aged 16+ to achieve their goals on the national and international stages.
Players in the NPP are typically competing at ATP, WTA or ITF level, with some involved at junior and senior Grand Slams.
Underpinning our ambition of having more players competing at the highest levels of the professional tour, the programme is tailored to individual needs, ages and goals.
An integrated structure with the University of Stirling provides players with training at the Scottish National Tennis Centre, as well as access to gym facilities, strength and conditioning support and wider sports science and medicine. The NPP is also delivered at Oriam.
Karen Ross – Head of Performance
Karen leads the national performance team and oversees delivery in all areas of the Scottish National Player Pathway. With extensive experience in player development both as a coach and manager, Karen has played a key role in nurturing some of the country's top tennis talent. Her coaching career includes working with GB national-level juniors, guiding them to success on both national and international stages. Karen has also been the individual coach to Paralympic and Grand Slam champion Gordon Reid, supporting him to achieve notable successes — including singles and doubles Grand Slam titles, a Paralympic gold medal in singles, and a silver medal in doubles at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Nathan Lundy - SPDC Head Coach/16U National Manager
LTA Level 5 Performance Pro Coach Nathan was previously Head Coach of the West of Scotland county training programme and spent 14 years as Head Coach at Merchiston Castle School Tennis Academy, building a world-class programme and developing ATP pros Jacob Fearnley, Johannus Monday and Matthew Rankin. As a player, Nathan was part of the number one ranked university team in the USA in 1999 and went on to compete professionally.
Anna Brogan - Performance Coach
Currently a Level 3 qualified coach, former professional player Anna won three ITF World Tennis Tour titles and reached a career-high singles ranking of 303 before transitioning to coaching, beginning her career at David Ferrer’s tennis academy in Spain. She was a distinguished junior, winning the British U14 National Championship title and making three appearances at Junior Wimbledon.
Toby Smith – Performance Coach
Toby has been involved in Scottish tennis for more than 20 years and has supported the development of many of the nation’s leading players. He has extensive experience of coaching at all stages of the player pathway, from juniors competing national and internationally through to senior players achieving success on the professional tour and at Grand Slams.
Euan McGinn - 11 & Under Pathways Manager
Holding a Level 4 qualification, Euan brings a wealth of expertise and experience in player development and coaching standards. He previously served as Head Coach of the University of Stirling for 20 years and was National Performance Officer with Tennis Scotland. In that role, he worked with players such as Andy Murray, Jamie Murray, Colin Fleming and Alan Mackin. His playing career includes receiving a scholarship at the University of Arkansas, where he achieved All-American status in 1994 after reaching the quarter-finals of the NCAA Championships.
David Rodriguez - Strength & Conditioning
After graduating with a degree in Sport Sciences from the University of Barcelona in 2003, David began his career in tennis training — first with the Spanish Tennis Federation, then at the Vilaró-Roig Academy. In 2004, he joined the Barcelona Total Tennis (BTT) Academy, where he was promoted to Fitness Director in 2007 and served until 2022.
Tennis Scotland takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously and strives to ensure a safe environment for everyone involved in its programmes.
Tennis Scotland Safeguarding Contacts
Report a Concern
If you have any concerns you can also log them using the LTA Report a Concern portal, all concerns raised will be treated confidentially and sensitively.
You can also contact the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team on 020 8487 7000, safeguarding@lta.org.uk or the NSPCC 0808 800 5000. Remember if you think anyone is at immediate risk of harm - dial 999
Policies and Procedures
SPDC - Safeguarding Policy (the SPDC adopts the British Tennis Safeguarding Children Policy)
SPDC- Diversity and Inclusion policy - under review to be updated shortly
Online Safety & Communication Policy - under review to be updated shortly
Photography & fliming policy - under review to be updated shortly
Useful guidance
Event, Activities & Competition guidance
Further support
Support and advice for parents
The LTA ‘Set the Standard’ fair play campaign is designed to promote positive parent behaviour and support coaches, referees and organisers in creating better competition experiences for young players.
For parents and carers, the campaign provides helpful resources and guidance so you can ‘Set the Standard’ and positively support your child when they’re competing.
You can find more information about this and many other things to help nevigate their child's journey in competing, through the LTA Competition Parent's Area.