The University of Bristol Tennis Club (UBTC) has been recognised in two categories at the 2026 Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Awards.
The Tennis Club has been shortlisted for the highly coveted award of ‘University of the Year’ for 2026.
The nomination follows the success of University of Bristol student Grace Lieven who was named ‘Avon Tennis Young Volunteer of the Year’ earlier this month.
The LTA awards, presented by Lexus, celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of organisations and individuals across the country, including the 25,000 volunteers who give their time to support and grow the sport.
Grace, UBTC Intermediate Captain, a Level 2 coach and UOB Tennis Team member, received her volunteer award at the Avon Tennis Big Night Out at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club on 21 March.
She said: “I am so touched to have received this award. Tennis has become a huge part of my life over the past couple of years and is something I hope to continue with long into the future. I am hugely grateful for everyone who has helped me, and for all the lovely people I have met through the University of Bristol Tennis Club.”
Andy Trott, Director of Tennis at the University of Bristol’s Sport, Exercise, and Health department, spoke of his pride, both in terms of Grace’s success and the Club’s ‘University of the Year’ nomination, with the winner being announced on 16 April at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.
He said: “I am incredibly proud of everyone who has been involved in building, delivering, and developing our programmes. We all understand the myriad positive benefits that tennis can have on our students, and the wider community, and we bring passion, experience, skill, and determination to make sure everyone has the opportunity to maximise their potential on and off the court. Our student leaders and coaches, Grace being an outstanding example, are incredible and have such bright futures ahead of them and I know that they will all take the experiences that they are enjoying now into the world with them and will all be better off for it. Our huge congratulations to Grace on behalf of everyone at the University of Bristol Tennis Club.”
UBTC has seen its membership increase by more than 50% in two years, welcoming 60 new tennis players over that time. Beyond membership, the UBTC runs more than 35 inclusive, weekly tennis sessions that engage hundreds of players of all ages and abilities.
From a performance perspective, in August 2025 the UBTC welcomed Grace Piper, GB World University Games participant and former NCAA Division 1 athlete to the BUCS squad, whilst elsewhere the club raised more than £10,000 over the year through various fundraising events.
The UBTC’s mission is to ‘help students become the best tennis players they can be and importantly, the best version of themselves, ready to graduate and make a positive impact on the world.’