University Recreational and Development Competition 2018-19 Katie Evans, Education Coordinator Harrison Fernandez Lewis, HE Tennis Administrator

Overview University Team Challenge so far… What’s on offer for University Recreational & Development Level competition in 2018-19? What is University Team Challenge? On Court Demonstrations – formats and scoring What do I do as Uni Lead Contact/Cluster Organiser before, during, after a fixture? What is the new University FAST4 Development League? Next Steps for FAST4 Development competition

University Team Challenge so far… Over 1,000 students enjoy recreational competition since launch in 2016 Good for recreational level player Social Fun Non-result bearing BUT Requirement for more structured, competitive match play by players who just miss out on BUCS teams “Most of the 20 had not played competitive tennis before against other unis, and for five of the 20 this year was the first year that they had played tennis!” “Many matches were played and new players were able to try out competition for the first time” “The day fulfilled its aim of getting club players on court enjoying some competition” “It was a draw overall and we left it as a draw as wanted everyone to be a winner” “(This event was) a little bit higher level compared with the Beckett event. I felt this was a good mix up from what we did having loads of courts and players but maybe not such a great experience for the better players.” “Offer our development players an even better experience” “The Development Squad team from Warwick were run away winners” “Having experienced this event, more of our social players are willing to play more competitively and so we are now looking to set up various leagues and tournaments for them.”

2018-19 Recreational & Development Level Competition Offer Fun, social, informal Flexible (match format) Non-result bearing May be players’ first experience of tennis competition University Team Challenge Recreational, social players More structured & formal (e.g. match format, fixture list) Result-bearing  results to Tournament Software (count toward LTA ratings) Players will have competed before & seek regular tennis competition University FAST4 Development League Development-level players (who just miss out on BUCS teams)

University Team Challenge

What is Uni Team Challenge? Universities put in local clusters who compete against each other throughout the academic year. Matches are fun, social, and informal Aimed at non BUCS players and most likely those who have never competed outside of their university, or represented their university before Each cluster is different

What is Uni Team Challenge? 1 University Cluster Organiser - Organising Dates - Hosting Each Fixture - Creating an order of play - Reporting players and universities in each fixture 4 University Lead Contacts (one per university) - Finding a team for each fixture - Booking courts for home fixture - Providing balls for home fixture - Organising social element

Competition Formats Clusters to decide on a format that is appropriate to them Make sure the competitions are... Team based  Collective scores Relaxed  Social  Fun!

How will you make your events fun/social/informal? (5 mins) TASK: POST-IT NOTES How will you make your events fun/social/informal? (5 mins)

Your ideas (part 1) Eliminating the win/lose situation Social events to integrate members further into the club Scoring systems to make it feel like lower ability can still contrinute Special point scoring can be used semi seriously – e.g. ‘cheat’, powerplay, dice Music Fancy dress Prizes – fun competition Feedback encouraged Video put together by students from the day Scottish National Team Challenge, held at a central point for all uni’s for a great atmosphere Psychologically rec players will be nervous as it may be teir first time playing – create a relaxed environment

Your ideas (part 2) Incentives (e.g. food) Mini tennis Court bookings – indoor space if possible Laid back competition Timed matches, mostly doubles Social event afterwards (e.g. meal) Post match interviews with fun questions Subsidise group meal if possible Social – pizza! Mixed doubles Focus on ladies Clear expectation within uni cluster Racket sports leagues – mutlisports

Your ideas (part 3) Give social members opportunity to compete for uni with no previous competition experience Good to get everyone together UV tennis Themed events

On Court Demonstration

What next? Get into cluster groups Brief introductions (university and role) University background (number of players, who would take part in the Uni Team Challenge) Book in provisional date for each fixture, decide of formats for the events and discuss social elements

Confirming Fixture Dates Cluster Organisers to get in touch with University Lead Contacts not at the training to let them know provisional dates University Lead Contacts to book fixtures and confirm courts are booked with Cluster Organiser by Friday 14 September 2018 – Cluster Organiser to confirm dates with Harrison

Before Each Fixture University Lead Contacts to make sure they have a team for the upcoming event – let Cluster Organiser know how many players you will be bringing Cluster Organiser to contact University Lead Contacts to confirm start time, duration and format of upcoming event

At Each Fixture Host university to provide balls for home fixture Cluster Organiser to host each event (e.g. order of play, welcome players). If Cluster Organiser can’t attend, they are responsible for arranging for another University Lead Contact to host the event. Take photos, share on social media – tag us! (@britunitennis, #unitennis)

After Each Fixture (within 3 days) Cluster Organiser to complete post-event feedback survey

University FAST4 Development League

What is University FAST4 Development League? Universities put in local clusters who compete against each other throughout the academic year. Matches are competitive, formal, result-bearing. Aimed at students who narrowly miss out on the BUCS Teams, but would still like to compete regularly throughout the year. Format similar to BUCS providing player pathway into BUCS teams Single sex team competition Fixture comprises 4 x singles, 2 x doubles FAST4 scoring format

What Next? Provisional fixtures now on Tournament Software Check through & raise any required changes with relevant Uni Lead Contact University Lead Contacts received TS login Login to familiarize with website & modify rescheduled fixtures BTM sign up  here. Book facilities for home fixtures & confirm once completed with the other Uni Lead Contacts in your Cluster by Sunday 30 September 2018 Play, compete & enjoy!

@britunitennis #unitennis

Any Questions?

Further Information & Contact… https://www.tennisfoundation.org.uk/discover-tennis/universities/competition/ Harrison Fernandez Lewis (HE Tennis Administrator, BUCS) harrison.fl@bucs.org.uk 020 7633 5080

British Social Challenge 9th – 10th March Aberdeen University For further information contact Kieran Matthews (Robert Gordon University Ambassador) k.matthews2@rgu.ac.uk