Looking Up: Judy Murray’s Mission to Reclaim Youth Sport from the Digital Age

In the modern sporting landscape, the battle for participation isn’t just fought on the court or the field—it is fought for the attention of the child. For Judy Murray, the renowned Scottish tennis coach and mother of Grand Slam champions Andy and Jamie Murray, the primary obstacle to getting more girls into sports is a physical one: children have forgotten how to look up.

Murray, whose influence extends far beyond the sidelines of Wimbledon, has observed a troubling trend where the gaze of the younger generation is permanently fixed downward, often tethered to a smartphone screen. This shift in posture and attention, she argues, is a barrier to the instinctive, exploratory nature of athletics. To counter this, Murray is championing a philosophy that prioritizes play over drill, aiming to revitalize grassroots engagement for girls worldwide.

The Philosophy of Play vs. Drill

For many aspiring athletes, the entry point into organized sports is often characterized by rigid instruction and repetitive drills. Murray’s approach flips this script. Her educational program focuses on the joy of the game, emphasizing a “play-first” mentality to attract and retain young girls in sport.

The goal is simple but profound: move away from the mechanical nature of traditional coaching and return to the curiosity of childhood. When teaching a child to hit a ball over their head, Murray starts by addressing the disconnect between the child and their environment. By encouraging children to stop looking at their devices and start looking at the world around them—whether it is a tree to climb or a ball in the air—she creates a natural bridge to athletic movement.

This shift is particularly critical for girls, who may be more susceptible to dropping out of sports if the environment feels overly restrictive or lacks the social and emotional rewards of play. By focusing on the intuitive experience of the sport, Murray seeks to build a sustainable foundation of confidence and physical literacy.

The Digital Detox and Athletic Wellbeing

The struggle to get children active is inextricably linked to the digital habits of the 21st century. Murray has become a vocal advocate for “digital detoxing,” most notably through her support of the On-Mute May campaign led by the charity Children First.

The campaign urges people across Scotland to step away from social media throughout May to raise awareness of the online harms facing children. This is not merely a social cause for Murray; it is a sporting one. She views the power of sport as a primary tool for developing life skills and improving both physical and mental health.

Research from Children First highlights the urgency of this mission, noting that 79% of young people in Scotland report feeling worried about encountering harmful content online, although 78% express anxiety regarding the impact of social media on their lives. By encouraging a break from the screen, Murray aims to create the mental space necessary for children to reconnect with physical activity and each other.

A Legacy of Leadership and Advocacy

Judy Murray’s commitment to grassroots development is rooted in a lifetime of navigating the complexities of the tennis world. Born in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, Judy Murray grew up in an era where facilities were limited; in Dunblane, the lack of indoor courts meant she played tennis in the summer and badminton in the winter. This adaptability served her well as she won 64 titles as a junior and active player before pursuing a degree in French, German and Economics at the University of Edinburgh.

Her transition into coaching was a natural evolution. Beyond guiding her sons to the pinnacle of the sport, she rose to become the Scottish national coach and, in 2011, the captain of the British Fed Cup team. Murray has been candid about the motivations behind her leadership roles, stating that she took the captaincy in part to demonstrate that a female coach could successfully lead at the highest level.

Throughout her career, Murray has pointed to the persistent existence of sexism within British tennis. This awareness has fueled her desire to dismantle barriers for women and girls, leading her to step down from her Fed Cup post in March 2016 to dedicate her energy to “grassroots” projects.

Why the Grassroots Shift Matters

The transition from elite coaching to grassroots advocacy represents a strategic shift in how the sport can grow. While producing world-class champions brings prestige, expanding the base of the pyramid ensures the longevity and health of the sport. By focusing on the “bottom-up” approach, Murray is addressing the systemic reasons why girls exit sport during adolescence.

The implications of this approach extend beyond tennis. The “play over drill” methodology is a blueprint for any sport looking to increase inclusivity. When the barrier to entry is fun rather than perfection, the environment becomes welcoming to those who might otherwise feel intimidated by the pressures of competitive athletics.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the challenge of engaging the next generation will only grow more complex. However, by returning to the basics of play and advocating for a healthier relationship with technology, Judy Murray is providing a roadmap for the future of youth athletics.

For those following the development of grassroots tennis in the UK, the next checkpoints will be the ongoing implementation of Murray’s educational programs and the annual recurrence of digital wellbeing campaigns in Scotland.

Do you think the “play-first” model should be the standard for all youth sports? Let us know in the comments below.