From Warwickshire Winners to National Champions: University of Birmingham Named LTA University of the Year

University of Birmingham

The Lawn Tennis Association has named the University of Birmingham as University of the Year at the LTA Tennis Awards, following a remarkable season of growth, performance, and impact in university tennis.

The University of Birmingham’s journey to national recognition began at county level, where they were first crowned winners of the Warwickshire LTA Awards. They then progressed through the regional stage before going on to secure the national title.

The award was presented at the National Tennis Centre in April 2026, as part of a celebration of tennis across Britain recognising outstanding achievements in participation, performance, and community engagement.

Led by Head of Tennis Jack Crossley, the University of Birmingham programme has delivered a historic year. Participation has grown significantly, with record membership numbers and more students than ever accessing tennis through both recreational and performance pathways.

On court, the club achieved its best-ever BUCS season, with major improvements in league performance, multiple team promotions, and strong finishes across divisions. The expansion of team structures has also enabled more students to compete, reflecting the growing strength and depth of the programme.

Innovation has played a key role, with enhanced training opportunities, access to high-quality facilities, and the use of performance analysis helping to drive standards forward across all levels of play.

Beyond the university environment, the University of Birmingham has made a meaningful contribution to the local community through outreach programmes, school engagement, and opportunities for students to gain coaching experience and employability skills. Sustainability initiatives have further highlighted a forward-thinking approach to tennis development.

The national award represents a significant achievement not only for the University of Birmingham, but also for Warwickshire, showcasing the strength of tennis across the county and its ability to develop programmes capable of achieving national success.

Warwickshire Tennis would like to extend its congratulations to the University of Birmingham on this outstanding achievement. Their success is a testament to the strength of university tennis within the county, and we are proud to have supported their journey from county winners to national champions.