‘Massive honour’ for coach Judy Murray to win Lifetime Achievement gong

The award will be presented to the ‘Miss-Hits’ founder on the evening of the prestigious event to recognise her achievements through a lifetime dedicated to coaching.   

The sheer scope of Judy’s impact across a distinguished 30-year coaching career is impossible to quantify. A role model and global ambassador for women’s tennis, Judy is a key influencer in coach learning, participation and player development.

Instrumental figure in the development of British number ones

Judy is all smiles with one of her participants as they play a clapping game. Photograph: © Judy Murray Foundation

A former Scottish international tennis player, Judy started her coaching apprenticeship as the lone volunteer coach in her home town of Dunblane. She rose quickly and was one of the first women to pass the LTA Performance Coach Award, the highest-level LTA qualification. She went on to become British Fed Cup team captain and in her role as Scottish national coach, she was an instrumental figure in the development of numerous British number ones, including Jamie Baker, Elena Baltacha, Colin Fleming, Alan Mackin and, of course, the early careers of her sons Andy and Jamie.

The 60-year-old is well-known for her person-centred coaching and has been passionate about making tennis inclusive for everyone, whatever their background and no matter their ability. At the forefront of innovation, she has developed several highly successful tennis programmes, which have helped raise the profile of female coaching and accelerated positive change for women’s tennis at grass-roots level and beyond.

More opportunities for females to play tennis in the UK

Judy has spent the last eight years investing her own money and time into the starter tennis programme for girls, Miss-Hits. It has now been delivered to tens of thousands of girls around the world, helping increase female participation in tennis.

Judy has also shaped coach learning structure and influenced coach development opportunities in Britain and around the world. The She Rallies programme - developed with the LTA - has created more opportunities for females to play tennis in the UK, while her Tennis on the Road programme is aimed at growing the coaching workforce that delivers tennis. She launched The Judy Murray Foundation in 2018, the mission of which is to raise money to bring tennis into areas of Scotland that are not synonymous with tennis, such as rural and disadvantaged inner-city communities. Thanks to her relentless drive and boundless energy, Judy has succeeded in creating a road map for the future success of the sport.

Taking part in a tennis drill, Judy has been coaching tennis for over 30 years. Photograph: © Judy Murray Foundation

“I also understand the importance of sharing ideas, experiences and philosophies with others and across sports. The easiest and quickest way to become good at what you do is to work alongside people who have been there and done it. For the past few years, I have spent most of my time building tennis workforces around the world because I realised I could have a much longer term impact on tennis if I went back to grassroots and invested in others.

“Sport is competing with so many things for people’s time and attention these days that it’s vital that we create environments that are fun and stimulating. People make environments, and first impressions are crucial, so my main focus with workforces is aimed at delivering a number of starter programmes for kids, teens or adults.

“My philosophy is all about creating games and exercises that do the teaching for you because I learned from bringing up my own kids that they don’t want to listen to you, they just want to play with you. That’s why I say skills before drills. And make it fun so they want to come back - no matter what age or stage they are.”

Judy and doubles-ace son Jamie share a laugh with participants at a Judy Murray Foundation event. Photograph: © Judy Murray Foundation 

“The award itself is a token to say that all her hard work over three decades hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Her selfless attitude towards others fits in with our belief that great coaching, and indeed, great coaches are a force for good in our communities – tackling inactivity; improving health, and playing an essential part in improving the lives of millions. Is it any wonder that she’s helped nurture some of the nation’s best tennis players and future coaches?

“Many congratulations Judy, here’s to you.”

The UK Coaching Awards honour #GreatCoaching from people and organisations, and demonstrates the role coaching plays in transforming lives and inspiring an active nation. Find out more about the Awards and this year’s finalists by heading to UKCoaching.org/coachingawards