Judy Murray serves up ‘tennis at home’ web series for pupils 

Judy Murray has teamed up with Scotland’s education body to create a ‘tennis at home’ web series for youngsters.

The online programme, launched by Education Scotland this week, will give children and young people across the country the opportunity to develop tennis skills over the summer.

Murray – whose son Andy is a two times Wimbledon champion – has over 30 years’ experience in teaching tennis and is regarded as one of the world’s leading skills developers for the sport.

She said: “I want to open tennis up to many more young people and I’m a big believer in learning through play. I’ve created a series of fun skill-building challenges and games using basic playthings and household items which can be used in whatever indoor or outdoor space is available.

“There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy and the activities will develop confidence and understanding as well as the basic physical skills that underpin all sports.”

Clare Haughey, minister for children and young people, said: “Being active is really important for children and young people’s physical and emotional wellbeing. This programme is aimed at getting more young people involved in sports, including tennis – and the joy of it is that that they won’t need to have a tennis court or other special facilities to take part.”

Gayle Gorman, Education Scotland chief executive and HM chief inspector of education, added: “We were delighted to work with Judy to create this amazing resource for Scotland’s parents, carers, practitioners and learners. We could not have asked for a better expert to teach and encourage our young people to pick up a ball or a tennis racquet.

“Judy’s exceptional coaching skills and wealth of experience will hopefully inspire a new generation of young people to develop new talents – both physical and mental – and fall in love with tennis.”

Watch Murray’s introduction video below.

The online programme

Throughout the web course, Murray demonstrates and explains a range of fun progressive practices and games using a variety of basic playthings and household items.

According to Education Scotland, the resource “can be adapted depending on age and stage, as well as the skill development needs of young people”.

The video series is split into a number of different sections:

• Tennis at tome – suitable for primary and secondary learners and families
• Developing tennis skills – three different station-based programmes suitable for primary and secondary learners in school and at home.

View all nine YouTube videos here.