Game, Set and Match! Judy Murray
coaches Tennis stars of the future
Judy Murray, mother of Scottish tennis sensation Andrew
Murray, conducted a coaching workshop for local children at Bridge of Allan Sports Club the week before Wimbledon begins, to launch Graham’s Dairies’ official sponsorship of the club.

The sponsorship provided by the Bridge of Allan-based family dairy has been doubled by Sportsmatch and will be used to help expand the club’s Junior Development Programme, with particular emphasis on providing additional tennis coaching sessions, purchasing new equipment and organising and attending tournaments.

The programme encourages youngsters to play tennis or squash at grassroots level and aims to keep them interested in playing tennis or squash throughout their teenage years and beyond.

The coaching clinic is particularly relevant as it was held the week before Wimbledon.  Organisers are planning to use the children’s enthusiasm surrounding the forthcoming event, at which club member Andrew Murray will play, to help introduce them to the sport.

Around 300 children from Dunblane, St Mary’s and Newton Primary Schools received the coaching sessions on a rotation basis, moving between stations to practice hand-to-eye co-ordination skills, throwing and catching, footwork drills and basic tennis strokes.

Judy Murray, who is a qualified performance coach, was joined on the day by Jamie Durkin, Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s qualified resident tennis coach. 

Jamie commented:  “It’s often difficult for children to believe they could become champions at their chosen sport but with the example of one of our most famous members, Andrew Murray, the profile of tennis has been given a boost.  More and more young people can now see that tennis a great sport to become involved in. The sponsorship from Graham’s and Sportsmatch will enable us to provide additional activities and hopefully encourage even more children into the sport.”

Carol Graham, Marketing Manager, Graham’s Dairies, said:  “Graham’s is proud of being a Scottish, family business.  As a company, we like to support local initiatives, particularly those which make a difference to children and families in the local area.  As a life-long member of the club, I believe this coaching session is an excellent opportunity for local children to enjoy a ‘taster’ of tennis and to perhaps consider it as a sport they could participate in.”

Tennis Scotland’s Ellinore Lightbody, the National Coach, who will also be in attendance, added. “The Bridge of Allan Sports Club is an excellent example of operating in partnership for the common good and here we have an extremely enthusiastic and ambitious committee, spearheaded by David Callander, working closely with the local schools and prominent businesses such as Graham’s Diaries resulting in a vibrant and flourishing club.”

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