The University of Stirling men’s tennis team has emerged victorious as the British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) National League champions for the 2024/25 season. Led by captain Liam Hignett, the team, which also includes Robert Cowley, Cameron Fryer, Kyle McKay, and Patrick Young, displayed an unbeatable performance throughout the league, finishing the season undefeated. This remarkable achievement marks the team’s hold on all four of the BUCS men’s national titles, including the National League, National Championship, singles, and doubles.
The triumph of the Stirling team comes hot on the heels of Hignett’s silver medal win with Great Britain at the prestigious Master’U BNP Paribas, an esteemed international event in university tennis. Adding to the university’s tennis success, Anna McBride, another tennis scholar, clinched the women’s singles title at the Australian Open’s Intellectual Disability Championships for the third consecutive year.
Scott MacAulay, the lead tennis coach at the University of Stirling, expressed his pride in the men’s team’s extraordinary accomplishments over the past year. He commended the players for their exceptional performances, attributing their undefeated season to their unwavering dedication, focus, and rigorous training regimen. Looking ahead, MacAulay expressed excitement for what the remainder of the season may bring, as the team sets its sights on finishing the year on a high note.
### Stirling’s Dominance Continues
The Stirling men’s tennis team sealed their National League title with a commanding victory over second-placed Nottingham, following it up with a 4-2 win against Durham, ultimately concluding the season with an impressive record of eight wins and two draws. This recent triumph adds to the team’s previous successes, as they last secured the title in 2021/22 and finished as runners-up in the two preceding years. The team’s current accolades join Hignett and Cowley’s doubles title earlier in the season, along with Hignett’s singles title and the BUCS Championship Cup victories from the previous season.
As the team gears up for the quarter-finals of this season’s Championship Cup scheduled for February 26, the singles finals are set to take place from March 21 to 23. David Bond, the head of performance sport at the University of Stirling, lauded the men’s tennis team for their flawless, title-winning campaign in the fiercely competitive BUCS National League, which stands as the pinnacle of university tennis in the UK. Bond emphasized the exceptional nature of the team’s achievement, highlighting the rarity of going undefeated in such a challenging league.
### A Legacy of Excellence
Stirling’s commitment to fostering sporting excellence is exemplified through its International Sports Scholarship Programme, which provides athletes with essential funding support, academic flexibility, access to state-of-the-art facilities and coaching, as well as equipment and kit. The university’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of athletes and supporting them on their path to success underscores its position as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
In conclusion, the University of Stirling men’s tennis team’s recent triumph in capturing the BUCS National League title underscores their dominance in the realm of university tennis. With a roster of talented players and a coaching staff dedicated to excellence, the team’s unbeaten season stands as a testament to their skill, determination, and unwavering commitment to success. As they look ahead to upcoming competitions, including the Championship Cup quarter-finals and singles finals, the Stirling team remains poised to continue their winning streak and uphold their legacy of sporting greatness.
