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Judy Murray: lack of free courts is keeping tennis elitist Judy Murray: lack of free courts is keeping tennis elitist
(3 months later)
Andy Murray's mother has called for tennis's governing body to introduce more "free courts" around the country to widen the game beyond its "middle-class and elitist" base.Andy Murray's mother has called for tennis's governing body to introduce more "free courts" around the country to widen the game beyond its "middle-class and elitist" base.
On the eve of Wimbledon, Judy Murray, Britain's Fed Cup captain, said she was worried about a dearth of new talent after it emerged that several schemes to improve free-to-use public courts in deprived urban areas had failed to materialise.On the eve of Wimbledon, Judy Murray, Britain's Fed Cup captain, said she was worried about a dearth of new talent after it emerged that several schemes to improve free-to-use public courts in deprived urban areas had failed to materialise.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the charity Tennis For Free (TFF) agreed a partnership last year "to improve the places where people play tennis and the programmes on offer to encourage takeup of the game".The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the charity Tennis For Free (TFF) agreed a partnership last year "to improve the places where people play tennis and the programmes on offer to encourage takeup of the game".
However, following cuts to the LTA budget, seven new schemes in areas including Tower Hamlets in east London and Glasgow have not gone ahead, although one has been established at Devonport Park, Plymouth.However, following cuts to the LTA budget, seven new schemes in areas including Tower Hamlets in east London and Glasgow have not gone ahead, although one has been established at Devonport Park, Plymouth.
Murray, who is a patron of the charity, said: "TFF gets into areas you don't associate with the game. We, as a country, have got to be prepared to get our hands dirty. TFF is a small charity trying to put tennis where it has never been before and to have attractive, affordable public courts is crucial." Britain has never had stars with origins like those of the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, who started playing on the public courts of Compton, Los Angeles. The pair have since gone on to win 23 grand slam singles titles.Murray, who is a patron of the charity, said: "TFF gets into areas you don't associate with the game. We, as a country, have got to be prepared to get our hands dirty. TFF is a small charity trying to put tennis where it has never been before and to have attractive, affordable public courts is crucial." Britain has never had stars with origins like those of the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, who started playing on the public courts of Compton, Los Angeles. The pair have since gone on to win 23 grand slam singles titles.
Speaking at the recent Edgbaston women's tournament, where she was coaching Britain's under-12s team, Murray said: "Places like Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, where TFF already operates, are incredibly busy and successful. When I was appointed Britain's Fed Cup captain it made me realise our talent pool has been very small because so few girls play. I realise it is very difficult to turn around a derelict area into a tennis site, but we need to deliver more."Speaking at the recent Edgbaston women's tournament, where she was coaching Britain's under-12s team, Murray said: "Places like Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, where TFF already operates, are incredibly busy and successful. When I was appointed Britain's Fed Cup captain it made me realise our talent pool has been very small because so few girls play. I realise it is very difficult to turn around a derelict area into a tennis site, but we need to deliver more."
The TFF website says there are 2,594 free UK public tennis courts and 16 free park coaching programmes.The TFF website says there are 2,594 free UK public tennis courts and 16 free park coaching programmes.
Baroness Billingham, president of Oxford LTA and a member of the House of Lords Olympic legacy committee, said the partnership was a lost opportunity. "It is a complete cop out by the LTA and absolutely wrong," she added. "As far as the governing body is concerned, a few hundred thousand of new money is a drop in the ocean, as they get £60m a year in Wimbledon profits and public money."Baroness Billingham, president of Oxford LTA and a member of the House of Lords Olympic legacy committee, said the partnership was a lost opportunity. "It is a complete cop out by the LTA and absolutely wrong," she added. "As far as the governing body is concerned, a few hundred thousand of new money is a drop in the ocean, as they get £60m a year in Wimbledon profits and public money."
Billingham, a former Wimbledon player who captains the parliamentary tennis team, said she was proud of a "five-year campaign" to remove LTA chief executive Roger Draper. "I hope the new chief executive is at least someone who understands grassroots tennis and the LTA do have the opportunity to save hundreds of thousands on the salary," she said.Billingham, a former Wimbledon player who captains the parliamentary tennis team, said she was proud of a "five-year campaign" to remove LTA chief executive Roger Draper. "I hope the new chief executive is at least someone who understands grassroots tennis and the LTA do have the opportunity to save hundreds of thousands on the salary," she said.
Murray said of her experience at TFF: "What immediately struck me was how welcoming, sociable and fun it all was. Based on what I know of tennis in this country, that's not always the case. The game here is still very middle-class and elitist. I loved the fact that parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters were all joining in and helping. I left absolutely uplifted, thinking this is exactly what we need throughout the country."Murray said of her experience at TFF: "What immediately struck me was how welcoming, sociable and fun it all was. Based on what I know of tennis in this country, that's not always the case. The game here is still very middle-class and elitist. I loved the fact that parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters were all joining in and helping. I left absolutely uplifted, thinking this is exactly what we need throughout the country."
Sport England revealed last year that it was withholding £10.3m of funding because it believed the LTA's plans to expand participation were inadequate.Sport England revealed last year that it was withholding £10.3m of funding because it believed the LTA's plans to expand participation were inadequate.
An LTA spokesman said: "We work with a range of partners across the public and commercial sector to deliver free and affordable tennis, and we recognise the valuable work that Tennis For Free do in making tennis more accessible."An LTA spokesman said: "We work with a range of partners across the public and commercial sector to deliver free and affordable tennis, and we recognise the valuable work that Tennis For Free do in making tennis more accessible."
The LTA is spending "a few thousand" in refurbishment work at courts at centres such as Brodie Park, Glasgow, and Christchurch Park, Ipswich. However, TFF trustee Patrick Hollwey said: "We are not being given a grant by the LTA. In fact, we still have to pay for coaches and equipment ourselves."The LTA is spending "a few thousand" in refurbishment work at courts at centres such as Brodie Park, Glasgow, and Christchurch Park, Ipswich. However, TFF trustee Patrick Hollwey said: "We are not being given a grant by the LTA. In fact, we still have to pay for coaches and equipment ourselves."
The charity has lost patience with the LTA and wants to raise £750,000 from private sources to try to launch 50 venues over the next three years.The charity has lost patience with the LTA and wants to raise £750,000 from private sources to try to launch 50 venues over the next three years.
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