YOUNGSTERS in Cumbernauld who have been inspired by Andy Murray's victories at Wimbledon have NO tennis courts locally in which to hone their skills.
The tousled-haired terror of the centre court has inspired countless young fans with his phenomenal fightback against Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Monday.
He has been rewarded with a place in the quarter finals against Spanish powerhouse Raphael N
adal today (Wednesday) and fingers across Britain are tightly crossed that he will storm his way to victory.
But any would-be tennis stars who are temped to try and replicate the success of the 21 year old from Dunblane will be unable to do so on their own doorstep - raising questions yet again about the standard of local sporting facilities.
Tennis courts in Cumber-nauld Village are long-gone and once-popular courts at Ravenwood are lying in a state of disrepair, locked off from the public and leisure bosses from North Lanarkshire Council admit they are unlikely to re-open.
The News has received a number of complaints from locals who are frustrated at the lack of tennis provision.
They include Ravenswood resident Brian Miller bought racquets for his two grandchildren last week but is dismayed that there is nowhere locally for them to use them.
Brian who was the Development Corporation's town artist has been in talks with staff from NLC for two years running in a bid to have the facility re-opened.
"It is natural that children want to go out and play the sport they are hearing so much about at the moment and this is obviously the case with tennis - but because Cumbernauld is so impoverished where these facilities are concerned, they can't play locally,'' said Brian.
"We are a nation who should be thinking more about sport so it's a real shame that there is nothing for youngsters who want to start thinking about taking their interest further.
"Scotland's youth has a role model in Andy Murray. A pity Cumbernauld doesn't have the facilities to allow our youth to emulate a true Scottish star,'' added Brian.
Blane Dodds, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd, said steps are being taken to address the lack of tennis provision in Cumbernauld.
"While the courts at Ravens-wood are no longer fit for purpose and likely to remain closed, the council-maintained courts in Burngreen Park in Kilsyth are available for hire and use will in fact be free to local children throughout the summer,'' said Mr Dodds.
"Other tennis facilities throughout the authority are run and maintained by private clubs, and the demand for council-operated courts is not high. However, North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd is working to encourage greater uptake of the sport and is now in the final stages of a pilot programme aimed at schools ."
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