Tag: tennis

Royal tennis at Craiglockhart!

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge experience LTA Youth – the LTA’s new and innovative junior tennis programme

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were today given a first-hand introduction to LTA Youth, the new LTA programme that will help more children enjoy the benefits of playing and staying in tennis – whatever their age, gender, ability, disability or background.

The Duke and Duchess were visiting Edinburgh Leisure’s Craiglockhart Tennis Centre to learn more about the new programme and take part in a series of LTA Youth drills with local children.

After an explanation of the principles behind the programme by Scott Lloyd (Chief Executive, LTA) and Olly Scadgell (Participation Director, LTA) the Duke and Duchess went on court to join children from Canal View Primary School, Edinburgh, and try their hand at three fun games that help teach progressive skills for tennis as well as for other sports.

Firstly they did a hopscotch warm up, before picking up racket and ball to play floor tennis against a partner. The Royal couple competed with the children to see who could keep rallies going the longest.

Finally Their Royal Highnesses each captained a team of children in an epic game of ‘team cones’ with each child playing a mini match against the others to secure a point for their team.

Graham Watson (Chair, Tennis Scotland) and Blane Dodds (Chief Executive, Tennis Scotland) explained about the implementation of the programme in Scotland and the opportunity for parents to book courses locally. 

Before leaving all the children present were given LTA Youth rackets to inspire them on their journey to becoming young tennis players. 

Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “It was great to be able to show Their Royal Highnesses our new junior tennis programme first hand.

“LTA Youth is designed to be fun, inclusive and competitive and help children enjoy tennis whatever their age. Courses across the country can be booked via the LTA website.”

LTA Youth courses are available to book now across Britain at:

https://www.lta.org.uk/play-compete/lta-youth/youth-programme/

Edinburgh University and Wimbledon umpire are among Tennis Scotland award winners

The winners of the Tennis Scotland Awards 2021 have been announced, recognising the exceptional contribution of individuals, clubs, programmes and competitions that helped tennis to thrive in 2020 as participation soared across the country.  

As a result of record-breaking year, the University of Edinburgh secured the Education Award which recognises establishments that displayed innovative attempts at ensuring students could continue to develop throughout lockdown in 2020.

Prior to welcoming a safe return of tennis activity, the university kept students engaged in the sport through online fitness challenges, coaching and virtual social events.

As tennis emerged as one of the first sports to return from lockdown, the university capitalised by training volunteers to ensure that they could run additional sessions to cope with growing demand.

The efforts of coaches and volunteers resulted in all-time high participation figures for the university, with around 360-400 individuals signing up for sessions each week.

Meanwhile, John Frame from Penicuik has been rewarded with a Special Recognition honour in acknowledgement of his many years of dedication to the sport.

Across a glistening career in tennis, John officiated more than 75 matches on Centre Court and Court 1 at Wimbledon between 1975 and 2007; including the mens’ singles final between Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi in 1999 when he became the first person to chair 3 mens’ finals at the Grand Slam.

As one of a select group of people to have held Gold Badge status as chair umpire, chief umpire and referee, John’s career highlights include officiating in 47 countries at events ranging from the Olympics to Davis Cup ties.

The former school teacher at Penicuik High School has also operated on Tennis Scotland’s board as Tennis Operations Director since 2014.

In total, 13 category winners have been selected to receive awards, in addition to three Special Recognition awards which have been handed to John Stevenson, Rick Gardner and John Frame as an honour for serving the tennis community over a prolonged period.

The award winners were announced yesterday (Friday 23rd April), with an awards ceremony to be held at a later date.

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland chief executive, said: “The Tennis Scotland Awards provide the opportune platform to celebrate the hard work and commitment which was the driving force behind our sport’s progression in 2020, in face of the challenges posed by lockdown.

“We were privileged to witness such an outstanding standard of nominations and we are extremely proud of the contributions of the winners and nominees, alongside each individual who played a role in providing a safe and welcoming environment to play our sport last year.

“Following the barriers we faced, it feels more important than ever to acknowledge the drive and passion within our community which resulted in the continued growth of tennis in Scotland.”

Tennis Scotland Awards 2021 winners

Lifetime Achievement – Jan Collins

Volunteer of the Year – Amanda Barclay (West End LTC)

Young Person of the Year – Katie McKay (Wormit & Newport TC)

Coach of the Year: Development – Steven Birrell (Wormit & Newport TC)

Coach of the Year: Performance – Mark Openshaw (Giffnock Tennis Squash and Hockey Club)

Club of the Year – Giffnock Tennis Squash and Hockey Club

Education Award: University – The University of Edinburgh

Disability Award – Chrysalis Tennis

Official of the Year – Olwyn Roy

Competition of the Year – Western Health and Racquets Club: Club Championships 2020

Junior Player of the Year – Ben Hudson

Senior Player of the Year – Hamish Stewart

International Player of the Year – Gordon Reid

Special Recognition – John Frame

Special Recognition – John Stevenson

Special Recognition – Rick Gardner

To learn more about the Tennis Scotland Awards, please visit www.tennisscotland.org or follow @TennisScotland on Twitter and Instagram.

Edinburgh prominent on prestigious National Tennis Awards shortlist

The hard work and commitment of Edinburgh’s tennis community has been acknowledged by the sport’s national governing body which has selected a local university, club and residents as finalists for four of the most coveted awards in Scottish tennis.

Heather Hooker has been shortlisted for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award which honours individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to tennis for more than 30 years.

Heather’s (above, right) involvement in tennis began at secondary school and continued when she joined the WRAF aged 17 where she played in inter-station competitions.

Heather subsequently joined Craigmillar Park TC in 1983 and has since become an asset to the club. Throughout 2020, she took the opportunity to revamp the clubhouse and surrounding grounds to provide a welcoming environment as tennis returned to the community.

Meanwhile, Heather’s club Craigmillar Park TC has earned a place on the Club of the Year shortlist as a result of demonstrating outstanding community links and growth in 2020.

Clive Minshull, member of fellow Edinburgh club Meadows City TC, has been shortlisted for the Volunteer of the Year Award which recognises an outstanding voluntary contribution made to inspire others to participate in the sport.

Acknowledging innovative attempts to ensure students of all abilities could continue to develop throughout lockdown in 2020, the University of Edinburgh received shortlisting for the highly desired Education Award.

The shortlist for the Tennis Scotland Awards 2021 has been unveiled to recognise the contribution of individuals, clubs, programmes and competitions which played a key role in helping tennis to thrive last year as participation continued to grow across the nation.

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland chief executive, said: “The response of the tennis community played a pivotal role in enabling the safe resumption of tennis in 2020. This year, more than ever before, it feels important to acknowledge exceptional contributions which are being made within our sport.”

“The Tennis Scotland Awards provide the perfect platform to celebrate the success stories of the year. With nominations of a particularly high standard, each shortlisted nominee should be very proud of their achievement.”

In total, 27 nominees have been announced across 10 separate categories, with the eventual winners subsequently securing a place at the LTA British Tennis Awards. Winners of the Tennis Scotland Awards will be announced online on the 23rd of April, with a ceremony to be held at a later date.

Among the winners last year was Yvonne Birnie who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding services to Rothiemurchus and Aviemore Tennis Club.

Elsewhere, Scotland’s number-one ranked women’s player, Maia Lumsden, earned the International Player of the Year Award, whilst the 12U Boys North County Cup Team received recognition for magnificent performances and team spirit which secured their title of Team of the Year.

The full shortlist of finalists can be viewed here: 

https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/in-your-area/tennis-scotland/news/2021/march-2021/tennis-scotland-award-shortlist-2021/

For learn more about the Tennis Scotland Awards, please visit 

www.tennisscotland.org 

or follow @TennisScotland on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Back on the courts

Lighten up those dark winter evenings with floodlit tennis

As the light starts to fade and summer draws to a close, playing tennis with floodlights at the Meadows and the all-weather outdoor courts at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, can now be booked on the Edinburgh Leisure app and website.

Kirsty Stobie, Manager at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre at Edinburgh Leisure said:  “Tennis has proved to be really popular since Edinburgh Leisure’s courts opened up at the beginning of June, when the restrictions were lifted after lockdown.  It’s been great seeing people of all ages getting active back on our courts and taking advantage of free tennis.

“Tennis at the Meadows is unmanned and until now, customers have been able to just rock up and play. However, with the nights drawing in earlier, customers wishing to play with floodlights, can pay to have the lights turned on to coincide with their session.  These sessions can be booked via the Edinburgh Leisure website or app.”

Court prices start from £5 – £10 at the Meadows and £6.60 – £13 at Craiglockhart. Customers are asked to adhere to current social distancing guidelines and to bring their own equipment.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/tennis

Smashing egg-travaganza at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre 

Edinburgh Leisure’s Craiglockhart Tennis Centre is hosting an egg-travaganza Festival of Tennis on Easter Sunday on 21st April from 2-4pm, with something for all the family.

Open to members and non-members, there will be an opportunity to get a taste of the programmes and courses on offer at Edinburgh’s flagship tennis facility, have the opportunity to pick up a racket and have some fun and potentially, witness a Guinness World Record being smashed.

Scotland’s leading racket experts and retailers, Gannon Sports, who have an outlet at Craiglockhart, will be attempting a record of the fastest stringing of a tennis racket. The team at Gannon Sports have been practising hard to shave off as much time off the 15-minute benchmark.

Craiglockhart Tennis Centre offers junior tennis classes from as young as 18 months, up to adults of all abilities. Craiglockhart Tennis Centre has six indoor courts and a further six outdoor clay courts (five with floodlights for evening play), and a cycling studio.  

Its Leisure Centre also boasts a spacious gym with over 70 pieces of kit, fitness studios, squash courts and a multipurpose sports hall.

The outdoor tennis courts at Craiglockhart have seen many world-famous players grace their surface over the years from Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe in the 1970s to Andy Murray in the 90s.

For more information or to book a slot visit www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/festival-of-tennis .

Craiglockhart Leisure & Tennis Centre, 177 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1BZ Telephone 0131 443 0101

Anyone for tennis?

Come and try your swing at some tennis open events this week

Craiglockhart Leisure & Tennis Centre is hosting two tennis open events, which are open to members and non-members. With lots of different coached tennis activities to try on their all-weather outdoor courts, there will be sessions catering for all abilities where you can try as many as you like for free.

The events are being held on:

Wednesday 27th February (18:30 – 20:30) – This adults’ tennis open evening has lots of fun activities whether you’ve just picked up a racket or you’re an ace on the court.

Saturday 2nd March (14:00 – 16:00) – An afternoon of fun tennis activities on the all-weather outdoor courts. There are activities throughout the afternoon for all ages and abilities.

The open events have lots of different activities to try whether it is working up a sweat or working on your technique. They also have some special sessions running from their regular programme that you can try out including:

  • Cardio Tennis – A high energy tennis and fitness class suitable for adults.
  • She Rallies – This one is for the girls! Girls aged 8-14 with experience in tennis can take part in a fun competition in teams. We also have sessions on for female coaches or volunteers to learn some new skills.
  • Tots Tennis – A series of fun tennis activities for little ones aged 2-4 to try out some tennis and coordination skills.

Spaces are limited so booking is advisable.  Contact the Craiglockhart Leisure & Tennis Centre 0131 443 0101 / info.cltc@edinburghleisure.co.uk or book online.

To see the full programme of activities for the events and find out more information: 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/cltc-open-event

A Festival of Tennis to be served up at Craiglockhart

Colin Fleming - Credit - Lawn Tennis Association.JPG

A Festival of Tennis will take place at Craiglockhart Tennis centre on Saturday, 22 September to celebrate the launch of six new outdoor tennis courts. The free Festival will take place from 2.00pm-4.00pm and everyone is welcome. Continue reading A Festival of Tennis to be served up at Craiglockhart

Join the flexible tennis revolution!

Everyone wants to play tennis when the sun is shining and Wimbledon is just around the corner … so why aren’t they? Nationally, participation in sports is declining, and tennis is not immune. But a revolutionary organisation, Local Tennis Leagues (LTL), is bucking the trend in Scotland. Continue reading Join the flexible tennis revolution!