1. University Recreational and Development Competition Katie Evans, Education Coordinator Harrison Fernandez Lewis, HE Tennis Administrator

2. Overview University Team Challenge so far…
What’s on offer for University Recreational & Development Level competition in ?
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

3. 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.”

4. 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)

5. University Team Challenge

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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!

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. On Court Demonstration

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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! #unitennis)

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

19. University FAST4 Development League

20. 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

21. 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!

22. @britunitennis #unitennis

23. Any Questions?

24. Further Information & Contact…
Harrison Fernandez Lewis (HE Tennis Administrator, BUCS)

25. British Social Challenge
9th – 10th March
Aberdeen University
For further information contact Kieran Matthews (Robert Gordon University Ambassador)