With two undefeated players, zero losses, and the champion title of both the BUCS South Eastern League and Cup, it’s safe to say that the University of Sussex Women’s Tennis team have gone from strength to strength this year. The girls have no plans of slowing down any time soon, with their promotion into League One for the next academic year, alongside the new committee’s determined plans to encourage more women into Tennis.
Throughout the year, the Tennis Society has been rapidly gaining popularity, growing to two men’s teams, one women’s team, with hundreds of members making up the beginner, intermediate, and advanced development squads – coached by committee members Robyn, Hannah, Will, and Laurence. The society boasts a close bond thanks to their weekly training, and lively Wednesday themed socials show a welcome warmness to newcomers, making exercise and socialising accessible. During my first year at university, I was hesitant to join a sports society given the horror stories rumoured about initiations, hierarchies, and the terrible treatment of freshers. However, as someone who joined one of their development squads this semester, it is clear that the Tennis Society goes against all these stereotypes to create a friendly and encouraging group open to all.
One of the key motivations of the current committee is the emphasis on increasing the funding available to the society in order to improve facilities in ways such as weatherproofing the courts. The more durable courts will minimize the currently high number of session cancellations due to unpredictable weather conditions and the hard to clear courts, which has undermined the society’s reputation. Additionally, they are hoping to create a larger space for spectators from both within, and outside of the society, to watch and support the at-home tennis fixtures.
The women’s team, made up of the Captain- Robyn, the President- Joni, Hannah, Steph, Maya, and Farida, have had an extraordinarily successful year. Each week, they compete in matches at both of the Falmer courts, and also travel to away games. They play four singles and two doubles games and have won all but one week so far (in which the teams drew). During the BUCs South Eastern Conference Cup final, the team headed to Surrey to compete in a nail bitingly close six matches, eventually drawing 3-3 and having to play an intense deciding shootout to secure the trophy.
Throughout this year and next, the committee are planning a range of incentives to encourage more women to play tennis at every level. For the higher level players, there are plans to introduce a second women’s team, making the number equal for the men and women’s squads. This team will primarily be playing in the ‘Fast4’ division of BUCs which features shorter matches, allowing for a greater number of players to have the opportunity to compete. This introduction will also create further chances for girls to progress from the development teams into the competition scene. A brand new ‘Girls Day’ will take place after the mid-semester Easter break where anyone interested is welcome to try out for the four available spaces for the first team, or the eight or more positions open for the new ‘Fast4’ team. Trials for the next academic year will be happening in September.
The development squads will continue to expand, with aims to bring in additional coaches which will allow for more of the high demand beginner and intermediate sessions. These sessions have been massively successful in talent spotting and training up new members. However, they require no prior experience, making them a perfect opportunity to get high standard coaching while trying out a new sport, socialising, and positively impacting your mental health.
Finally, the women’s team have left their mark on the Sussex community through their latest scheme alongside team coach Sam Mills, which aims to provide free coaching to young girls across the county. The end goal is to create accessibility to tennis and inspire a new generation of girls into the sport, coached by the brilliant members of the University women’s team.
