Stirling Council announces new tennis funding will bring court upgrades and free lessons

A nationwide investment by the government and tennis bosses will bring court upgrades and free lessons to Stirling.

The £153,000 investment will breathe new life into local tennis courts at Memorial Park in Bridge of Allan and Kings Park.

The funding is part of a £30m project by the government and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Foundation which will see thousands of public tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition refurbished.

Alongside this exciting investment, Stirling Council and Active Stirling will work with LTA to deliver a range of activities across park sites.

According to Stirling Council, the activities are set to include “free weekly tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable opportunities to get active through local competition”.

The Stirling area is known for producing Tennis stars including Andy and Jamie Murray.

Environment, transport, and net zero convener, Cllr Jen Preston hopes this investment could produce new talent like the Murray’s.

She said: “This funding is part of an incredibly welcome initiative to invest in excellent sporting facilities for community use.

“Any measures taken to encourage people to get active through participation in sport is to be celebrated and this investment will help to make tennis more accessible for all ages and abilities.

“This area has already produced tennis stars in the Murray brothers, and more recently Ali Collins who is making her mark in the game.

“More opportunities for people to pick up a racquet may very well produce new talent.”

The LTA, Tennis Scotland and sportscotland are also delivering the £15 million Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis fund to provide more year-round community accessible tennis provision, including the development of new indoor facilities in Oriam and Moray which are currently underway.

Julie Porter, chief operating officer at the LTA, added: “We are delighted to be working with Stirling Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racquet and get active.

“This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come.

“We will also be working closely with Stirling Council to ensure that the local community has a range of accessible opportunities to get on the court and open up our sport to many more people.”