Hustle, Hit and Never Quit
Well here it is, the big announcement that we’ve been struggling to keep a secret for so long and the one that we’ve been working towards having approved since the centre opened – we’re building a Tennis Centre. We’ve just secured investment for a four-court facility from the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis fund; delivered in partnership by Tennis Scotland, SportsScotland, and the LTA. Since opening, our ethos has always been focused on equality and inclusion. The new tennis facility will be no different and our team here at MSC will continue to strive to be the most accessible, affordable, and inclusive sports centre for the Moray community and surrounding areas.
What does this mean for Moray?
The tennis centre offers the Moray community access to tennis facilities all year round. This will benefit the existing local tennis community and increase awareness of the sport to get more people playing. Having access to all-year-round tennis creates opportunities for increased participation, competition, performance and coach development. Work on the facility is expected to begin this year so fingers crossed things ease a little and we can get the ball rolling on this one! We’ll keep you updated on the journey via social media, but for now, we thought we’d share with you some of the thoughts from representatives of LTA, Tennis Scotland, Sportscotland, and one our own Trustees, Bob Cunningham.
Working together to get more people playing the sport
“We are delighted along with our partners at sportscotland and Tennis Scotland, to kick-start the TSIT fund with this award for Moray Sports Centre. This is very much part of the LTA’s investment into the delivery and development of tennis in Scotland announced earlier this year. Our aim with Tennis Scotland is to drive greater visibility of and engagement in tennis, with everyone working together to get more people playing the sport. This will enable more people from the north of the country to play throughout the winter months and provide much-needed facilities to the local tennis community.
CEO of LTA, Scott Lloyd
A significant moment for Scottish Tennis
“This is a significant moment, as we continue the expansion of tennis provision across Scotland. This facility will ensure the tennis community in Moray has access to year-round tennis, with opportunities for enhanced participation, competition, performance, and coach development. Our vision is to increase opportunities to play across the country, and this is just the first of a number of projects we expect to get underway in the next 12-months.
“In addition, we thank Sandy Adam and the Moray Sports Foundation for their continued support in driving this facility forward. Without this support and ambition, it would not be possible to deliver such important local and regional facilities.”
CEO of Tennis Scotland, Blane Dodds
Playing the National Lottery made this possible
“TSIT is a great example of where working in partnership allows us to maximise resources and deliver sports facilities where they are needed to help everyone enjoy sport at every level. Projects like this tennis facility in Moray would simply not be possible without people playing the National Lottery. Every week £30million is raised for good causes by National Lottery players, and thanks to you we can support projects that will have a real impact on the lives of communities across Scotland.”
CEO of Sportscotland, Stewart Harris
Opportunities have been unlocked for Moray
“This funding unlocks opportunities which, until now, Moray’s tennis playing community could only dream about. For the first time in Moray tennis will be played all year round. It’s great news for careers in tennis too, and for the tennis coaching scene as we will be able to employ full-time coaches and run a coach development scheme.
“Anyone will be able to get a game, for fun, for practice, or to compete. There will be tennis for everyone, from lifetime recreational players and promising youngsters coming up through grassroots, to people of any age or ability picking up a racket for the first time.
“Years of work by Moray Sports Foundation, Tennis Scotland, sportscotland and the LTA have gone into bringing this tremendous tennis centre to Moray. I congratulate everyone involved for their foresight and determination to make it happen. I and my fellow trustees are now focused on the timely delivery of Moray Indoor Tennis Centre and we look forward to Moray playing its part in continuing Scotland’s successful tennis legacy.”
Trustee of Moray Sports Centre , Bob Cunningham