Kent Sport is excited to announce that the Kent Indoor Tennis and Events Arena (KITEA) has been nominated for the University of the Year Lawn and Tennis Association (LTA) Awards. Each year the LTA award a selection of clubs, schools, universities, and individuals for their impressive achievements throughout the year.

2022 saw the University of East London take home the accolade for University of the year, something which the University of Kent is keen to rival. In addition, Tennis President, Sophie Kitson has also been nominated for the Rising Star award, after having served as a line umpire at Wimbledon in 2022 and successfully completing her chair umpire course in autumn last year.

With the awards dinner and regional voting taking place on 11 February 2023, the University of Kent is in a brilliant position to progress through Regionals in April and onto Nationals, which will be announced in May 2023.

This last year has seen the appointment of Tennis Development Manager, Nick Skelton, who has supported President, Sophie Kitson in the development of a comprehensive tennis programme aimed at all levels of player, from beginner to experienced. Including coaching teams’ tennis, development squad tennis, beginners’ tennis, social play and competitions. Additionally, Nick has worked hard to promote the Tennis Centre, through Open Days, individual and team coaching and training.

Some of the achievements highlighted in the nomination include:

• An increase in student society memberships
• 154+ student members playing university tennis each week
• The British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) tennis team has increased from two teams to four
• Female LTA level 1 delivered to eight participants
• 100+ took part in TCF competition
• University ladder league launched

We are wishing the Kent Tennis Centre all the best for February’s voting and look forward to seeing their continued development through the year!

As we head toward the end of Quarter 2 of our financial year and take steps to ensure we achieve our budgeted results, we all need to continue to do all we can to reduce non-essential spending. Like many organisations, we are facing some extremely challenging financial conditions due to pressures from inflation and soaring energy prices. On top of this, we have faced additional challenges with lower student retention than expected impacting income levels.   

To address these issues, the budget has been reset for the year, reducing budgets for goods and services to compensate for our reduced income. It is essential that we stay within this budget, and last week budget holders were updated on reductions in their areas. 

New measures in place 

Steps have been taken to reduce non-essential expenditure across all activities and categories of spend, with expenditure only incurred where absolutely necessary. Specific areas that will make a big difference are:  

• Consultants and Contractors: This resource should only be used where it would otherwise greatly reduce the student experience and a new approval process for this is in place for any essential requirements in this area. 
• Travel: Bookings for in-person conference attendance in 2023 should not be made unless funded externally or with advance permission from a Director. Wherever it is possible to attend events online or achieve similar outcomes without travel, we should not be travelling. 

Planning ahead 

Looking ahead, we urgently need to reduce spend for the rest of this year and the above are areas where we can see room to do this. Alongside this, and with a focus on the longer-term financial sustainability, initiatives are being worked up aimed at increasing and diversifying income and ensuring our operations are delivered as efficiently as possible. 

If you need further advice on this, please contact the finance team via the emails below: 

Any questions relating to procurement can go to: procurement@kent.ac.uk 

For specific queries relating to Divisions, contact: managementaccounts@kent.ac.uk 

For Professional Service Departments, contact: financebusinesspartnering@kent.ac.uk 

The BAME Staff Network are proud to be joined by Dr Fiona Bartels-Ellis OBE for an insightful conversation on Brilliant Leadership in a Diverse World. This online event will take place on Wednesday 8 February at 14.15 via Teams.

Fill out this form to book your place or alternatively scan this QR code:

About the Speaker – Dr Fiona Bartels-Ellis OBE

Dr Fiona Bartels-Ellis OBE is Global Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the British Council and member of its Global Leadership Team, she is responsible for setting and driving the strategic direction of EDI worldwide. 

Fiona is a former social worker, a member of the Higher Education Academy and her local Race Equality Council, a Trustee of Africa Gifted Foundation led by Tom llube, supporting gifted and talented African girls in science, and a founding member of the Premiere League’s Independent Equality Panel.

Her 2005 OBE further recognised her contribution to EDI, and she has been recognised as Britain’s most influential people of African and African Heritage Powerlist on three occasions and is now in its Hall of Fame.  As a published writer, strategic thinker and EDI powerhouse, the BAME Network looks forward to what will be an insightful and powerful conversation with Fiona.

Calling all scientists and researchers! You are warmly invited to the Pint of Science Festival, taking place from 22-24 May 2023.

This event is a worldwide science festival which brings researchers to your local pub/cafe/space to share their scientific discoveries with you, in a relaxed and informal setting.

The idea is to provide a platform which allows scientists from a wide range of fields, to share their research with the public. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage the public with your research and to get experience of sharing it with new audiences. Both the University and the REF acknowledge the importance of such outreach. Plus it’s a lot of fun!

We will be running festival events in Canterbury and Medway and are now looking for expressions of interest from speakers, including Early Career Researchers and final year PhD students looking to develop their skills and experience in talking about their research.

If you are interested, please email us at pintofscience@kent.ac.uk with the following details by Tuesday 31 January:

1. Your name and school/department
2. A summary of your research (max 100 words)
3. Your description for your proposed session – 20-30 minutes (max 100 words)
4. An explanation of how you will make it engaging for the public audience – importantly involving an interactive component (max 100 words).
5. Suggest which of the below Pint of Science themes you think your session would best fit into.

Pint of Science themes

• Beautiful Mind – neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry
• Atoms to Galaxies – physics, chemistry, maths, astronomy
• Our Body – medicine, human biology, health
• Planet Earth – geosciences, plant sciences, zoology
• Tech Me Out – biotechnology, robotics, computers
• Our Society – law, history, politics, policy, languages
• Creative Reactions – art and science come together

The Kent Pint of Science Team will review these ‘expressions of interest’ with a view to developing themes for each evening of the festival. We will then contact applicants in early February with the outcome, further info and later organise a practice run in the spring for all of our presenters.

We look forward to hearing from you!

For further general information visit the Pint of Science website.

Read our news stories and watch the video on the Pint of Science event

Canterbury Pint of Science Event – to focus on human thought

Public invited to Pint of Science Event – Pros and Cons of Modern Technology

Kent Online video – Worldwide Talk Celebrating Research Comes to Kent 

Kent Sport is launching a brand-new suite of virtual instructor classes (VIC), starting on 30 January 2023. Les Mills classes bring you virtual instruction in a physical setting, based in the fitness and dance studio at Kent Sport.

Classes are scientifically designed to get results and improve physical agility and resilience. Hailed as one of the best fitness programmes, Les Mills offers a diverse range of virtual instructor classes for all abilities, in an exciting and cinematic environment.  Streaming throughout the day, VIC will run in conjunction with in-person classes, right here on-site. So, no more working out in your home gym, aka the lounge!

Upcoming classes include:

• BODYPUMP™
• BODYCOMBAT™
• BODYBALANCE™
• BODYATTACK™
• CORE™
• RPM™
• SH’BAM™
• GRIT™
• THE TRIP™
• BARRE™
• SPRINT™

Read our blog to find out more about Les Mills, the classes on offer, and how you can take part. Book all virtual and in-person instructor classes through your booking account as normal.

Not a Kent Sport member? You can still access classes with our range of membership options, including our Pay to Play option. Or join now and receive 20% off until 28 February 2023!

ICCI and Kent School of Architecture & Design are partnering with The Design Museum in a new series of conversations with eminent and inspirational designers.

The first event will feature Yinka Ilora on Tuesday 24 January, 18:30 – 19:40, livestream in Marlowe Lecture Theatre 1. This event is free and all you need to do is turn up – no need to register.

Yinka Ilori’s bold visual aesthetic draws on his British-Nigerian heritage and injects vivid colour and dynamic geometries into projects as diverse as architecture, furniture, and fashion.
Ilori’s work represents a commitment to design that promotes joyful optimism and advocates for the next generation.

Reflecting on works in Parable for Happiness, currently on display at the Design Museum, London, Ilori and the curator Priya Khanchandani unpack his distinctive visual identity.
Discussing the relationship between form and function, art and design, the pair explore methods for inspiring creativity and hope.

January is often a tough month, with expectations high for the year. The days are dark, the weather is cold and it can be hard to get motivated. We’re here to help you crack those January blues and feel more energised and positive. That’s why we’ve reduced all our membership fees by 20% when you join between 16 January – 28 February 2023.

Already a Kent Sport member? Consider upgrading your membership to a package with even more benefits and save 20% when you do!

As a Premium Plus member, you have access to our whole fitness suite, a range of fitness classes, discounted fitness services and tennis tuition! It can’t get much better right? Well, you might be surprised to hear it can! New for 2023 and part of the Premium Plus package, you can access a suite of FREE Les Mills virtual instructor classes every week!

Our memberships are open to everyone, so the whole family can be involved. Hire a badminton court with friends, hit the classes with a colleague or explore our range of personal training sessions to help get you on your way.

What are you waiting for? Upgrade your membership at one of our sports receptions, or become a member today!