The award was presented by Birmingham‑born broadcaster Adrian Chiles at the National Tennis Centre in London on Thursday 16 April.

 

Led by Head of Tennis Jack Crossley, the programme has delivered a historic year marked by record participation, competitive success, and meaningful community engagement. Membership rose by 70% to 657 members, the largest increase in the club’s history, with more than 1,150 students accessing the courts each week across various University programmes.

 

On court, the Tennis Club achieved its best‑ever BUCS season, with points increasing by 40% (136 to 190) and the University climbing nine places in the national rankings. Four teams earned promotion, seven finished in the top two of their leagues, and the men’s first team lifted the Conference Cup. A fifth men’s and women’s team was introduced to meet growing demand.

 

Innovation has played a key role in this success, including expanded indoor training through partnerships with Edgbaston Priory and Billesley Tennis Centres, match analysis using GoPro technology, and the launch of a professional BUCS livestream attracting over 1,000 viewers per match.

 

Beyond campus, the Tennis 2000 Project, supported by the Alumni Impact Fund, is engaging schools in disadvantaged areas across Birmingham, while students have developed employability skills through coaching qualifications and major event delivery. Sustainability initiatives, including DYUCE ball recycling, further underline the programme’s forward‑thinking approach.

 

The LTA University of the Year award reflects a landmark season and confirms the University of Birmingham as a national leader in the modern student tennis experience.