About

Tennis for Race Against Dementia is a not-for-profit social enterprise founded and launched by Darren Burgess in September 2021, in partnership with Tennis Scotland.  It aims to increase access to tennis for people aged 50 and over to improve healthy cognitive ageing.   Rolling out the programme to a select number of clubs across Scotland during summer 2022 was led by Kris Soutar, Tennis Scotland's Senior Consultant.  Tennis4RAD are collaborating with the University of Glasgow's Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, to formally evaluate the benefits of the programme.

Aims & Vision

The aim of the Tennis for Race Against Dementia programme is to: 

• contribute to Tennis Scotland's vision of Tennis Opened up to Deliver The Legacy in Scotland; and its mission to grow tennis by making it relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable;

• support healthy cognitive ageing through participation in tennis, to help to reduce the risk of developing dementia, as promoted by the Alzheimer’s Society (see Blog section);

• improve mental health and physical well-being, particularly for those who may have become less active or lonely during the COVID-19 lockdowns;

• and support The Scottish Government's Active Scotland Delivery Plan and Strategy for Older People, to help make Scotland a place where people live longer and healthier lives with opportunities to enjoy a high quality of life as they grow older, so they can live as independently as possible.