Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Scotland sign four-year £3.3m funding agreement
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We are pleased to announce a four-year funding partnership with Tennis Scotland that will see £3.3m invested into developing all areas of Scottish tennis.
Thanks to the landmark agreement, Tennis Scotland will benefit by having more financial flexibility going forward to develop its performance and participation programmes as well as improving facilities.
The funding, which will be a combination of grants and loans, replaces the current model whereby investment was confirmed on a year-by-year basis.
Tennis Scotland Chairman, Gordon Baker, said: “I am delighted. The funding will seek to grow participation rates, increase the sport’s accessibility, and provide suitable environments to develop athletes to performance levels.
“The investment will also help to improve tennis facilities in Scotland, including parks and clubs, and increase access to people of all ages and abilities to pick up a racket.
“In response to the confidence shown in us by our key partners, the Board has commissioned a full and comprehensive review of all aspects of our performance operations, with a revised strategy scheduled to be presented to the Board in the first half of 2015.
“The review will ensure our resources are better aligned with our colleagues at the LTA to support long term player development and give Scotland the best chance of continuing to produce world class talent such as Andy Murray and our current International Player of the Year, Gordon Reid (below).”
The agreement is aligned to the four-year £5.8m investment in Tennis Scotland made by sportscotland in 2013 that was aimed at capitalising on the successes of Andy Murray by modernising and developing the sport’s structure by improving facilities and widening access.
Speaking at the signing, LTA Chief Executive Michael Downey, said: “This is a pivotal moment for Tennis Scotland as we look to invest the funds that will make a long term sustainable difference to tennis north of the border.
“Along with the funding they received last year from sportscotland, these funding streams will provide a real opportunity to grow the game and take advantage of what is a huge opportunity to significantly increase levels of participation.”
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, added: “We are delighted that Tennis Scotland and the LTA have agreed a new investment structure which will provide real stability for the development of tennis in Scotland.”
