Calls for better tennis facilities in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

MSP Jamie Hepburn has written to both North Lanarkshire Council and North Lanarkshire Leisure to highlight the issue, to ask if they are satisfied with the current provision and if they have any plans to improve it.

Mr Hepburn’s call echo that made by Judy Murray, mother of Andy Murray, last week to the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee that sports facilities should be “accessible and affordable”.

Mr Hepburn said: “Andy Murray’s fantastic success this summer has undoubtedly generated a growth in interests in the sport throughout Scotland. It is great that Murray is setting such a positive example and inspiring more and more people to get active. I think part of the reason that his story is so inspiration is the fact that he comes from a small Scottish town like so many others. Indeed his father’s family hails from Kilsyth.”

He added: “Unfortunately the current provision for tennis throughout Cumbernauld and Kilsyth leaves a lot to be desired. A decent standard of facilities is essential if more young Scots are going to go on to replicate Andy Murray’s success. The call he has made for the establishment of a National Tennis Academy has a lot of merit but it is imperative that local facilities are in place for youngsters to get to the standard where they will attend such an Academy.

“I think we should take advantage of this growth in interest in tennis to argue for some long overdue improvements.”

North Lanarkshire Council’s convener of learning and leisure Councillor Jim Logue gives his view on sports facilities in the area on page 8 of this week’s Cumbernauld News or Kilsyth Chronicle dated Wednesday, October 3.

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