Higher Education
The flagship of the Tennis Foundation’s University Strategy is the University Coordinator Programme which will grow to 13 Coordinators in September 2010.
There are two main aims of the programme. Firstly, to develop tennis through creating opportunities for students to play, compete and receive the latest training packages as volunteers or coaches. Secondly to create a ‘first step’ into the tennis industry for the coordinators who have an ideal base from which to become a future part of the workforce for British Tennis.
Each coordinator has a two year position working to grow the game of tennis at the university whilst studying for a part-time post graduate degree. Receiving an annual salary of up to £12,000, they develop all aspects of university tennis working to targets in areas including the number of students attending tennis taster sessions; number of students receiving organised play; number of students receiving coaching; number competing internally; number competing for the BUCS teams; number training as competition organisers; number training as coaches; number training as referees; as well as some community targets including number of community partner venues.
The positions are jointly funded by the TF and the university. Whilst managed by the university, support is also provided by the Tennis Foundation through initial training at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton as well as ongoing monitoring of targets and training opportunities. The coordinator’s targets are aligned with the targets of the LTA’s Field Team which encourages a strong and mutually beneficial working relationship the County Tennis teams and local places to play.
In the first year of the programme, The Tennis Foundation joined forces with Bath, Durham, Exeter, Hertfordshire, Leeds Met, Loughborough, Stirling and Roehampton Universities. The universities have been delighted with the programme and the positive impact they have had.
As well as seeing numbers consistently rise, Quentin Sloper who manages the position at Durham said that the programme had “added a massive amount of vibrancy to the tennis programme and completely transformed what the university does in tennis.”
Will McNally who manages the position at Exeter, said that numbers with the University Club had risen from 200 to 320 members in three months. Equally, the coordinators themselves are really enjoying their positions and can see a way forward with a career in tennis.
Emma Bennett from Bath said “It’s really given me the opportunity to get into the recreational side of tennis and I really love the role.”
Update for 2010 / 2011:
The following Universities will be joining the UTC programme in 2010 / 2011:
- Brunel University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Stirling University
- University of East London
- University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC)
More Information:
- If would like more information, please contact Alistair Higham, Universities Manager.