Andy Murray's mum Judy talked to Sky Sports News about her involvement in the 'Set4Sport' initiative.
Judy Murray tells Sky Sports News about the 'Set4Sport' initiative
Judy Murray, the mother and tennis mentor of British number one Andy, is a firm believer in the power of sport to shape young lives in a positive manner.
Drawing on her experiences bringing up Andy and his elder brother Jamie, also a tennis professional, Judy has become involved in the 'Set4Sport' initiative to encourage children to take part in sporting activities.
"There are so many life skills that you can learn from sport," she told
Sky Sports News.
"Not just the confidence that comes from being able to do a sport fairly well. There is the routine of going to a sporting class or club once a week.
"There is a social dynamic around it where you make friends, become part of a team and develop a sense of belonging.
"More than anything else it burns off a lot of excess energy in young children!"
Co-ordination
Judy believes introducing her boys to sport at an early age gave them a head start in their development as tennis players.
"All the things that are in the Set4Sport programme are all things we designed in our back garden," she added.
"I had two active boys who were very close together in age - just 15 months between them - and they were very, very energetic.
"I came from a sporty family and I loved playing things, whether it involved a ball or whether it was just the climbing frame.
"They became very well co-ordinated at a young age and that helped them as, whatever sport they wanted to take up, they were going to be able to do it reasonably well.
"I firmly believe in playing with kids and helping to develop those skills in a fun way."
