With just three months before Andy and Jamie Murray play in the Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England tennis event at the P & J Live, Judy Murray is making sure that children across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire can give tennis a try themselves via Battle of the Brits in the Community in partnership with Brodies LLP.
Battle of the Brits in the Community will see globally renowned tennis coach Judy visit schools, charities and tennis centres across the region in the weeks leading up to Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England in December, starting with a visit to Mile End School in Aberdeen today (Tuesday 21 September). Judy led a tennis session for Primary 5 children aged between 9 and 10, sharing the knowledge that she once passed on to sons Jamie and Andy when they were the same age.
Tuesday also saw Judy meet children from the Chrysalis tennis group, based at the Aberdeen Tennis Centre, which helps young people with Down’s syndrome learn to play and enjoy tennis. Chrysalis has been the recipient of a Lawn Tennis Association award for its work.
As part of the Battle of the Brits in the Community programme in partnership with Brodies, Judy will also launch a children’s drawing competition through the Evening Express where kids from across Aberdeen can draw a poster depicting what sport means to them. All entries will be featured in the Evening Express in the lead up to the event and the winning entries across five age groups will be displayed in the locker rooms of the Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England so that Andy, Jamie and the other players can be inspired by their work before they step on court. One overall winner will have their drawing displayed on the front of the event’s official programme and their school will get a Zoom question and answer session with Judy in the New Year.
Judy Murray said:
“I know Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire really well and I know how much people love sport here. It’s really important to me to get more children playing tennis and being more active so this was the perfect way for me to get involved and support Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England and help make sure that it makes a positive impact in the community.”
Jamie Murray said:
“I knew when we brought Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England to Aberdeen that we wanted to create a legacy for Aberdeen’s community by making more children and young people aware of tennis and enjoying it. We want to inspire everyone who watches us play but we also want to get them excited about the idea of playing themselves.”
Nick Scott, managing partner Brodies LLP said:
“Brodies is committed to supporting the communities in which our clients and colleagues live and work. We have, over the years, worked closely with Judy and her programmes to encourage participation in tennis, and over that time we have seen at first hand the legacy they leave and the future talent they nurture. When we heard about ‘Battle of the Brits in the Community’, we thought this would not only be a fitting next stage in our support but also a fantastic part of our ‘10 years in Aberdeen’ celebrations which we mark this year, 2021.”
