University of Stirling
Former First Minister Alex Salmond bestowed the prestigious title on the University of Stirling as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence in 2008. The University of Stirling is at the forefront of inspiring talented athletes to fulfil their sporting and academic potential. Scottish Parliament marked the tenth anniversary of Stirling’s designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence with a parliamentary motion, supported by politicians from across Scotland, which recognised the contribution that the University’s students and alumni have made to Scotland’s sporting success locally, nationally and internationally. Stirling sports stars have enjoyed medal success on the world stage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and at numerous World and European Championships. MSP Keith Brown commented,
This excellence in performance, participation, research and academia, will be strengthened further through the establishment of a National Tennis Academy and a £20 million transformation of the University’s sport facilities
sportscotland Institute of Sport
The sportscotland Institute of Sport (SIS) will provide science and medicine support services for the National Academy.
SIS are the provider of high performance leadership and expertise to sports and athletes throughout Scotland and the UK. The SIS are funded by Scottish Government and the National Lottery, to work collaboratively with key British and Scottish partners to make athlete dreams come true. The expert team of staff are dedicated to the goal of delivering results at Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games as well as world and continental championships.
Strong partnerships have been developed with UK Sport, the British Olympic and Paralympic Associations, Commonwealth Games Scotland and British and Scottish governing bodies of sport. Headline goals include establishing a world class high performance system in Scotland. Part of this includes attracting more British programmes to Scotland and then striving to get Scottish athletes into British programmes whilst also embracing and supporting athletes from other home nations.
Dollar Academy
One of Scotland’s largest and best performing schools, Dollar Academy, prides itself in providing an education that meets the highest standards. Dollar is a day and boarding school for boys and girls aged five to eighteen with excellent teaching across a broad range of subjects, combined with a huge co-curricular programme.
In 2018, Dollar was named The Sunday Times’ Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year after reaching its highest ever position in the rankings with more than 85% of Higher and Advanced Higher pupils securing top A or B grades.
The school is set in a stunning 70 acre campus with incredible sporting facilities including 15 outdoor astroturf courts, supplementing year round facilities in a swimming pool, gym and strength and conditioning suite and Dollar Golf Club adjacent to the the school campus.
Dollar has an outstanding reputation for sport, having produced several internationalists in a range of events. For example, former pupil John Barclay is the current Scotland rugby captain and the school is currently national champions at both U18 and U15 boys cricket, as well as girls hockey.
To learn more about Dollar and it’s facilities please visit the Dollar Academy website.
Lawn Tennis Association
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is the National Governing Body for tennis in Great Britain, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. They are responsible for developing and promoting the sport, safeguarding the integrity of tennis, and providing opportunities for as many people as possible to play and enjoy tennis.
Launched in 2018, The LTA Performance Strategy focuses on creating a seamless pathway for champions that nurtures people, teams and leaders. It is a long-term plan that will knit together current and future programmes into a clear journey from Mini Red to major tournament success. Our vision along with the LTA is to make Britain one of the most respected nations in the world for player development.
The LTA will delegate responsibility for player development to people, centres and operators based on a set of investment conditions/operating standards. These principles will enable National Academies to meet common objectives to create competition for places at the next stage of the pathway by nurturing players to meet the selection criteria, creating an oversupply of players for the Pro Scholarship Programme.