BUCS Tennis
Students wishing to combine a world-class education at the University of Bath with training and competing at national and international level can do so through the University Performance Programme at Team Bath Tennis – named University of the Year at the national 2020 LTA Tennis Awards.
Players participate in team training sessions and compete in BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) matches that are mostly played on a Wednesday afternoon. Currently, Bath has three male and two female teams, with the women’s 1sts being the 2022-23 national champions. Players also compete in individual BUCS competitions, and many have gone on to represent Great Britain at the World University Games or the annual Master’U BNP Paribas tournament in France.
The aim of the University programme is to be integrated with the Team Bath Academy and Pro teams. This means the 1st teams train daily with professional players and can access the same sessions. 2nd and 3rd team players have opportunities to hit with pro players if they are of a suitable level and can also access Academy sessions.
This means student-athletes have access to technical, tactical and match-play sessions. The psychological aspects of the game always underpin these sessions. Coaches work at this daily, with the help of sports psychologists, to make the players as mentally robust as possible. Players can have additional off-court sessions with sports psychologists if required. Players also engage in strength and conditioning training, prehab sessions and on-court movement coaching.
Students on the programme are eligible to apply for a University of Bath Sporting Scholarship or funding from the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). They can also apply to be a member of the Team Bath Dual Career programme, receiving lifestyle support and advice on achieving their full potential in both the sporting and academic arenas.
How to apply
To become a member of the University of Bath teams, a player must be accepted into the University on any course (click here to see what it is available). Trials for the teams are held at the start of the academic year (September). If successful, access to the appropriate programme is put in place based on the team a player is selected for and their academic timetable.
If you are looking to come to the University and would like more information, please email Lead Coach Craig Procter – cap24@bath.ac.uk – or click here to fill in an ‘expression of interest’ form.
The University of Bath student tennis teams won two gold medals and one silver at the 2023 BUCS Big Wednesday national finals.
