PUPILS from Beath High School will be able to catch a glimpse of the world’s best tennis players this week after they were awarded an all-expenses trip to Wimbledon for winning a Prince’s Trust Scotland tennis competition.

The students were taking part in the annual Prince’s Trust tennis tournament funded by the Lawn Tennis Association.

Since 2009, over 500 young people across the UK involved in The Trust’s Achieve programme have been given the opportunity to participate in tennis initiatives.

Running in Fife since 2014, the six-week tennis programme was once again delivered by Dunfermline Tennis Club and led by Head Coach Alan Russell, who was recently shortlisted for the LTA’s Coach of the Year award.

This year, 33 young people from three high schools – Beath, Kirkcaldy and Lochgelly - took part, the highest since its inception in Scotland. After 18 coaching sessions at various locations throughout Fife, the tournament was held in June with 28 pupils competing to be the winners.

The Beath pupils will get the chance to see around Wimbledon today (Wednesday) and also to take in some matches.

Alan Russell said: “We were delighted to be invited to deliver The Prince’s Trust tennis programme in Fife schools again this year. Working with The Prince’s Trust Scotland and the three school groups has been a wonderful experience for us all – it’s a great example of partnership working. The LTA’s Tennis Leader award matches the aims and outcomes of the Achieve programme very well – it helps young people develop important personal skills that will be valuable to them in the workplace. We were amazed by how much the young people grew in skills and confidence during the programme.”

Throughout the six weeks, pupils at all three schools were mentored by tennis coaches from Dunfermline Tennis Club and given their own racket and balls to encourage them to continue playing the sport.

Ganiyu Otunba, Operations Executive, The Prince’s Trust Scotland, said: "Thanks to everyone at Dunfermline Tennis Club for delivering the programme which helps our young people complete their Participating in Exercise Achieve unit, gain the LTA’s Tennis Leader award, build their confidence and improve their teamwork skills. Although the tournament was a genuine competition, it was also a celebration for every one of the pupils who completed the course. It was amazing to see young people who have never played tennis before play so passionately and support each other on and off the court.”

Across Scotland, the programme works in partnership with over 125 schools and their 170 clubs. As part of the programme, young people are encouraged to explore personal and social development, life skills and prepare themselves for work.