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Pupil has novel idea for Sir Andy Murray's retirement
Staff and children at Dunblane Primary School have paid tribute to the retiring tennis ace.
Dunblane primary pupils have paid tribute to Sir Andy Murray (Andrew Milligan/PA)
A budding tennis star at Sir Andy Murray's former school hopes the Wimbledon champion will return as a PE teacher after he retires.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/pupil-has-novel-idea-for-sir-andy-murrays-retirement-37702697.html
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/article37702693.ece/be1c3/AUTOCROP/h342/bpanews_decc0e4e-595a-46b3-a59a-e01a3bff956f_1
Dunblane Primary School pupil Gregor Wood said he was shocked to hear of Sir Andy's plans to leave the game this year due to ongoing injury, but the youngster already has high hopes for what the tennis ace might do next.
"He should be a PE teacher here," primary seven pupil Gregor said. "I think he would be quite a good one."
"I was shocked that he was retiring because he's just played so well and I kind of wanted him to keep going, but because of his hip I guess it's probably time for him to stop."
Dunblane Primary pupils pose with the Wimbledon trophy won by Sir Andy when it went on display at the school in 2017 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
The youngster met Sir Andy when he returned to his old school for a visit, and he said the Wimbledon champion was "quite laid back" and told the pupils he hoped some of them would follow in his footsteps.
Gregor hopes to be able to do so as his tennis is "quite good", and he credited Sir Andy's determination as one of his most inspirational qualities.
He said: "He's not given up because of his hip and he's had that pain for about a year now. He's not given up and he's kept on playing."
Fellow P7 pupil Katie Cullen also met the tennis star when he returned to the school, and she said he was "funny" and "very inspirational".
Dunblane Primary head teacher Lorraine Slabbert has hailed the impact Sir Andy's career has had on pupils (Andrew Milligan/PA)
She added: "I was quite sad and shocked that he was retiring but still happy that he's going to be able to rest his hip and not have to worry about competitions.
"He's an inspiration, he always inspires us to do sport and to be the best you can be."
Head teacher Lorraine Slabbert said she is "hugely sad" Sir Andy plans to retire this year as he has been a "huge inspiration".
She added: "However with everything we do in Dunblane we talk about a positive spin on that, and actually my thought immediately was 'what's next for him and what more impact can he have'?
"He's already had a huge impact in the school but actually he's got a job to do next, and I'm quite sure he will, in inspiring the children in Scotland and wider."
She said his visits to the school had shown pupils how to live active lives and taught them they can "do anything they want to do".
She added: "Some of the children have already said when he has time on his hands they would love to see him here helping them out."
Sir Andy accepting the freedom of Stirling in 2014 (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer met Sir Andy when he was given the freedom of the city in 2014, and said he was "very nice" and "unassuming".
Mr Farmer said he is sad about a "premature end to a spectacular and outstanding career".
He added: "Andy's been a sensational ambassador for Stirling."
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