Watch a video of University Coordinators talking about their role.
Universities across the country have enhanced their bid to help people play tennis by announcing links with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Tennis Foundation.
There are 22 higher education providers across the country that have established a formal link with the LTA and TF through the University Tennis Coordinator Programme.
Coordinators have been appointed in each of the 22 universities to help develop tennis for students and the wider community and create more opportunities to play the sport.
The programme is the first step into the tennis industry for the coordinators who then have an ideal base from which to become a future part of the workforce for British Tennis.
Holly Smith, who will be the coordinator for Stirling University for the 2012-13 academic year said:
“I’m really enjoying the role of tennis coordinator and I’m looking forward to helping more people from Stirling University, as well as across the local area, to play tennis.
“Tennis is a fantastic sport for people of all ages and there are options open for players of all abilities.”
The Tennis Foundation have increased their support within universities in 2012-13, with the number of coordinators across the country raising from 14 to 22 this year.
Each coordinator is in position for two years working to grow tennis at their university, while also studying for a part-time post-graduate degree.
Receiving an annual salary of up to £10,000 they work to increase the number of students attending tennis taster sessions, organised play, coaching and competition. They also work to increase the number of students training to be competition organisers, coaches and referees.
Alastair Higham, Higher Education Manager at the Tennis Foundation, said: “The Tennis Foundation is making a significant investment into University Tennis and there are now clear packages of support available for all universities.
“Our University Tennis Coordinators will play a key part in enabling us to reach out to more students as well as the wider community."