Ellinore takes up tennis talent performance role

Tennis Wales new National Talent Performance Manager, Ellinore Lightbody.

A top coach who has played a leading role in the success of Scottish tennis is to take up a key new post with Tennis Wales.

Ellinore Lightbody, who has spent the last six years as national coach in Scotland, becomes Tennis Wales’ first National Talent Performance Manager in February.

Born in Scotland, but raised in Swansea and later living in Cardiff, Ellinore played for Wales, won several Welsh titles and played at Wimbledon twice.

“Having lived a large part of my life in Wales it will be like coming home,” she said. “I have enjoyed coaching all age groups - when the players improve and gain success it makes you want to aim higher and work harder. I hope to help the Welsh players gain international success too.”

Scotland’s junior performance pathway is now the most successful performance environment in Britain, and Ellinore’s appointment is seen as a major coup for Wales.

“Ellinore brings a wealth of experience, a record of success and a dynamism which will deliver a real boost to our plans for tennis in Wales,” said Tennis Wales Chief Executive Officer, Peter Drew.

Information on tennis in Wales is available from Tennis Wales at 029 20 463335 or www.tennis.wales.org