Last week, Merchiston’s Tennis Academy achieved further success claiming its second Scottish individual title this term, with Chris Edge winning the Scottish Under 16 Championships at the Scotstoun Leisure Centre, Glasgow. Chris beat his opponent 7-5 7-6(5) and was presented with his trophy by the President of Tennis Scotland, Ian Conway. This was a fantastic win for Chris and a real testimony to his development and commitment since joining Merchiston. Well done to him!
The Tennis Academy at Merchiston
Merchiston established Scotland’s first Tennis Academy in 2007 with 12 boys and girls. Since then it has grown to around twice that size. These young players attend Merchiston and St George’s Schools in Edinburgh (some boarding, some day pupils), where they pursue a full academic timetable while receiving a top class tennis programme, using Merchiston’s facilities. Students are invited to join the elite group within the Tennis Academy following a technical assessment. Pupils are provided with the best possible chance of making their tennis dream come true, and also gain a first-class education. The Tennis Academy is an integral part of the Tennis Scotland Performance Plan, the aim being to develop successful international tennis players. It is the first partnership in Scotland to provide specialized tennis training and a high level education with a specially adapted curriculum. For any aspiring sporting talent, there is always the challenge of balancing the dedication required for sporting excellence with the need to gain a strong education.