Prestwick tennis duo take their bow

Jul 1 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT’S the centre of excellence which, Ayrshire hopes, will produce the next Andy Murray.

Now Prestwick’s tennis centre has been renamed in honour of its inspirational driving forces, Jan and Sally Collins.

The facility, which will now be known as the Collins Tennis Centre, was officially given its new title at a grand ceremony on the courts.

Jan and Sally were greeted by family, friends and admirers during a champagne reception in the club before the indoor courts were renamed in recognition of all the contributions the Collins family have made to tennis and fitness in Ayrshire.

A plaque inside the courts was unveiled by Jan and Sally to commemorate the evening.

When Jan retired, he qualified as a tennis coach and took over the running of Symington Tennis Club which had roughly 20 members playing on three local authority courts.

During the next 25 years Jan, with Sally’s support, built the club’s membership, while agreeing with South Ayrshire Council to run Ayr Fort, Prestwick and Symington courts.

Its current register boasts 1250 members as well as having one of the largest junior tennis outreach programs in the UK.

And when Jan’s concept of an indoor centre for Prestwick required funding, he was able to secure the money from Sportscotland, Lawn Tennis Association and South of Scotland Tennis. The centre opened in 2004.

The club continues to follow Jan’s concept that juniors should have the opportunity to compete at every level and today the club has more competing juniors than any other club in Scotland.

On a competitive level the club has many players at the top of the UK age group rankings, including a UK champion at under 14 level.

Players have also earned scholarships to colleges in the USA, with several talented juniors having gone on to take up careers in coaching.

Judy Murray, former national coach and Andy Murray’s mother, could not attend the evening but expressed her admiration for the work being done.

She said: “Thank you to Jan and Sally for your wonderful contribution to tennis in Scotland and in Ayrshire particularly.

“The Scottish tennis world could do with a lot more people with your passion and commitment. Could we clone you?”

Master of ceremonies, David Stubley, added: “It has been an inspiration working with Jan to fulfil his vision, not just for tennis but for the whole community.”

Special guests on the night included the club's honorary vice president and former footballer, Johnny Hubbard.