17 Jun East of Scotland Tennis serves up youth coaching boost with new appointment

East of Scotland Tennis has made a major move for the future of the sport – appointing seasoned coach Michael Millar as its new Under-11 Player Development Lead in a bid to fast-track the region’s rising tennis stars to national and international competition.

Backed by funding from the LTA through Tennis Scotland as part of the Scottish National Player Pathway, this ambitious new role marks a commitment to nurturing the next generation of champions – identifying young talent early and equipping them with the skills, support and high-performance training to succeed on the competitive stage.

Michael Millar, a well-known and respected figure in junior tennis, steps into the role with a mission to develop future champions. With an impressive track record coaching players who have gone on to compete at County Cups, national school tournaments, UK-wide competitions, and Tennis Europe events, his appointment is a massive coup for the region.

Currently a lead coach at Merchiston Castle School, Michael has been instrumental in transforming its tennis academy into a performance centre.

Speaking about his appointment, Michael said:

“I’m thrilled to take on this role. The foundation we lay at a young age can make all the difference – and I’m passionate about giving our future stars the best possible start in their tennis journey.

“I’m excited to work with our local clubs, coaches and, most importantly, the young players themselves to help them realise their potential.”

Viki Mendelssohn, Chair of East of Scotland Tennis, hailed the announcement as a bold step forward:

“We This is a hugely exciting moment for tennis in the East. Michael’s appointment is a game-changer in our mission to create a pipeline of young talent.

“Thanks to the vital support from LTA/Tennis Scotland, we’re in a strong position to open up opportunities for more players to dream big.”

Karen Ross, Head of Performance at Tennis Scotland, said:

“Congratulations to Michael on his appointment. We look forward to working alongside him and East of Scotland Tennis to support the development of young players taking their first steps on the Scottish National Player Pathway.”

Michael joins at a pivotal time for East of Scotland Tennis, as the organisation strengthens its core team and performance infrastructure to deliver long-term excellence in both participation and pathway development.

The Under-11 Player Development Lead role is a cornerstone of East of Scotland’s long-term vision: to build a world-class performance pathway that supports players from grassroots.