Over 100 primary school girls from Aberdeen have joined Judy Murray for a tennis event designed to empower young girls to become Scotland’s next generation of sports leaders.
Pupils from Airyhall, Skene Square, and Culter, joined the Scots tennis coach for the latest expansion of the Learn to Lead programme today (Tuesday, June 9) at Rubislaw Tennis Club, where a series of fun games and activities were held to inspire youngsters to stay active and develop leadership skills.
The Learn to Lead programme was first launched in Aberdeen last June with the pilot scheme involving a number city schools with the support of Sport Aberdeen.
Murray, a former GB Federation Cup captain and mother to two former world number one tennis players, Jamie and Andy Murray, says Scotland must seize the opportunity to inspire children and teens to get active this summer.
Supporting the event today in Aberdeen, Judy called on mums and grans to support girls to set up their own lunchtime and after school tennis clubs. Murray also called for more specialist PE teachers in all Scottish primary schools to deliver quality physical activity for youngsters.
Supported by Sky, the Learn to Lead’s expansion will enable more youngsters to get involved with her programme which gives P6 and p7 pupils (aged 10-12 years) the opportunity to develop basic leadership and organisation skills by empowering them to set up and run lunchtime or after school tennis clubs for P1 to P4 girls (aged 4-9 years).
The clubs, run in school gyms or playgrounds, incorporate fun-filled games and exercises in a playful environment, building on the successful Miss Hits programme which Murray launched in 2014.
Although girls run the activities, adults are required to supervise. And Murray believes volunteering mums and grans could help youngsters set up clubs when teachers and other school staff are unavailable, as well as volunteering to assist at starter sessions for girls in local tennis clubs.
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Scotland’s men’s football team competing in the FIFA World Cup, Murray is hoping Scotland can capitalise on the sporting excitement and encourage youngsters to get active.
Judy Murray said: “This summer we have a great opportunity to showcase sport and to talk about the life skills that we all develop as kids or teens through being part of a squad, team or club.
“Learn to Lead encourages girls to set up their own starter tennis clubs during break times or after school, but it does require an adult to supervise. We know that’s not always possible for teachers and school staff, that’s why I am asking mums and grans to volunteer. This will not only give girls the chance to set up and run their activities, but it will also give mums and grans lots of ideas for playing actively at home with their families or to assist at local tennis clubs.
“When my boys were young, I started volunteering at our local tennis club and set up a mum’s army to provide kids in the community with more opportunities to play and compete.
“Physical literacy is every bit as important as alphabetical and numerical literacy and there’s a lot of research to show that regular physical activity promotes better concentration and performance in class.
“I believe sport has to play a much more important role in the school curriculum. I would like to see a dedicated PE teacher in every primary school in Scotland, the more opportunities we provide in school and out, the better. If we can engage kids in fun, stimulating physical activity from a young age it will become a way of life and that will help us to become a healthier, fitter, sportier nation.”
Sarah Fraser, Lead Active Schools Co-ordinator, Sport Aberdeen, said, “The Learn to Lead programme creates opportunities for girls across Scotland and not only introduces them to tennis in a fun way, but also helps to develop confidence, communication and leadership skills in the older primary girls leading the sessions.
“By empowering girls to take on leadership roles and encouraging families to get involved, Learn to Lead can help create lasting positive experiences of sport and physical activity.”
Jo Osborne, Head of Women’s Sport at Sky, said: “We’re proud to support Learn to Lead as it continues to grow across Scotland. Giving girls more opportunities to get active at a young age is crucial - not just for their physical health, but for building confidence and life skills that last well beyond school. Sky’s Game Changing report highlights the barriers many girls still face when it comes to sport, but also the difference that access and visibility can make. Initiatives like Learn to Lead play a vital role in breaking those barriers down and helping more girls feel confident, supported and excited to take part.”