Scottish track record of success
Scotland is a relatively small country and accounts for approximately 10% of the UK population. Scotland consistently over achieves and this is particularly the case in performance tennis. For almost 20 years Scotland has been a significant strength within British tennis producing unrivalled success at elite level, mainly through brothers Andy and Jamie Murray, both reaching world number one in their respective events and Wimbledon champion Gordon Reid.
Double Olympic singles champion, twice Wimbledon Champion and US Open Champion in 2012, Sir Andy Murray became a Doctor of the University of Stirling in recognition of his services to tennis in 2014.
The current crop of young Scottish tennis players performing on various international stages includes; Jonny O’Mara, Maia Lumsden, Aidan McHugh, Ali Collins, Jacob Fearnley and Connor Thomson to name a few. One full-time professional player who reached the last 32 of a Grand Slam in his first event and has won ATP titles; one Pro Scholarship Programme player; three National Age Group Programme players, not a bad return and certainly something that can be increased significantly with the infrastructure and opportunities surrounding the National Academy.
University of Stirling, Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence
As Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence, the University of Stirling are at the forefront of helping and inspiring talented athletes to fulfil their sporting and academic potential.
The National Academy at Stirling will be a programme within a wider performance environment, with national programmes in curling, golf, swimming and triathlon hosted within the campus. Stirling has produced some of the finest British and Scottish talent in history With many students having successfully competed in world stage events such as both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games and International Championships for their sports.
Teaching and research
The University of Stirling is an international university with a global reputation for high-quality teaching and research; an agent for change, connecting people, innovating and transforming the lives of students, staff and the global communities Stirling serves.
Stirling is numbered among the top 100 new universities in the world; a reputation that has been gained through the quality of research, the impact it has had on society, and the skills and competencies of graduates.
The distinctiveness comes from academics collaborating across disciplines to generate different perspectives to address key world issues. Graduates of the University are well equipped to play a leading role in society due to knowledge, initiative and resilience developed as part of their educational experience, and from the wider cultural and sporting opportunities available.
Facilities
The University campus is a training ground for some of the UK’s top Olympic and Paralympic athletes and home to Scotland’s National Swimming Academy, the Scottish National Tennis Centre and Triathlon Scotland. Our extensive sports facilities allow you to play and train alongside Olympic athletes or simply have fun and get fit.
A £20 million transformation of the University of Stirling’s sports facilities will see Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence create an iconic new sports complex that will be integrated with existing world class facilities. The redevelopment has already started and is due for completion in summer 2020.
Director of Sport, Cathy Gallagher, said: “The unique feature of sport at the University of Stirling is the environment within which Olympic medallists train and compete alongside students, staff and the wider community. This development will mark the beginning of another exciting chapter for sport at the University and within the Stirling area.”
The Stirling community
There are considerable quality of life benefits to experience in central Scotland. The University of Stirling is situated between the Ochil Hills and the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle, next to Bridge of Allan, a picturesque village between Dunblane and Stirling. The Aithrey Loch and Aithrey Castle are at the heart of the idyllic 330 acre parkland university campus, which is regularly described as one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Parts of Stirling, Dunblane, Bridge of Allan and much of the rural area are some of the most affluent and successful communities in the country with high incomes, good health and excellent quality of life.