{"id":3168,"date":"2026-08-18T09:58:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T08:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/?p=3168"},"modified":"2026-08-18T09:58:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T08:58:24","slug":"kent-diamonds-success-for-our-student-tennis-coaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/2026\/08\/18\/kent-diamonds-success-for-our-student-tennis-coaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Kent Diamonds: Success for our Student Tennis Coaches"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our next Student Kent Diamond’s are our amazing Student Tennis Coaches. Hear from Julia, Ryan, Alessia and Roxanne about their time as Student Tennis Coaches and how they help the local community:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Julia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cMy name is Julia Woodward – Chung, I do Sports and Exercise Science with Sports Management.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cHello my name is Ryan Strudwick, I study Sports and Exercise Science. My key interests are tennis and golf.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cMy name is Alessia Tafur, and I\u2019m a second-year Business and Marketing student from Lima, Peru. I play tennis for the Women\u2019s 1st Team at the University of Kent, and I also run a small handmade jewellery business called Ecoral. Alongside my studies, I\u2019m part of ASPIRE, the entrepreneurship programme at Kent Business School, where I have the opportunity to connect with other student entrepreneurs and develop my business skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roxanne<\/strong>\u00a0– “My name is Roxanne Dougall, I’m studying Law and Philosophy at the University of Kent and I’ve just graduated! I have been playing tennis since I was 7 years old, also have trained basketball and playing guitar is a passion of mine. I’ve lived in five different countries and have experienced so many different cultures which has inspired me to explore the world.”<\/p>\n

Tell us about your role as a student tennis coach<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Julia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cI coach tennis to all ages and abilities, plan and deliver community sessions, and provide private lessons for anyone who may want to improve in tennis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan\u00a0<\/strong>– \u201cAs a student coach I get to coach a whole variety of players while also doing my own studies at the same time. As an LTA level 3 coach I also do one to one individual coaching. This year I have also been the men\u2019s captain for tennis and this has allowed me to help the team player\u2019s with matches and team trainings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessia\u00a0<\/strong>– \u201cI work as a tennis coach for the University of Kent, delivering community, student, and private coaching sessions. I\u2019m fortunate to work alongside an amazing team of coaches who bring great energy and enthusiasm to every session, helping to make tennis enjoyable and accessible for everyone. The University offers a wide variety of tennis sessions, and some of my favourites are cardio tennis, as well as the ALL Active sessions that I lead with three other coaches for Kent Sport. During these sessions, we help students develop their tennis skills in a fun and supportive environment. The sessions are divided into beginner and intermediate groups, allowing everyone to learn at a pace that suits them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roxanne<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cAs a student coach, I have been organising tennis sessions for students and all members of the community from children of 6 years old, to the older generation. I have to organise and assist with social tennis sessions, cardio tennis sessions and training sessions for all levels, all while completing my studies, competing in the women’s 1st tennis team, and working another part-time job.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Tell\u00a0us\u00a0about how your coaching has made an impact to Kent and the local community<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Julia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cI\u2019d like to say they\u2019re at least holding their racket properly by the end of the session, but in all honesty, it\u2019s incredible to see so many students take time out of their studies to come to our sessions weekly, and by the end of the term, see that they can carry out a match independently. The scoring system doesn\u2019t really play in the favour for beginners. You also see such a community form, where students are comfortable enough to muck about and tease one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cFrom my coaching we have had positive comments from all the members that have been coached by the student coaches. The advantage of us coaches is we have enabled the students to get lots of tennis at all levels and at good quality and enjoyable sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cI believe sport plays a key role in life, not only because it helps people stay healthy both physically and mentally, but also because it brings people together and strengthens communities. I think the tennis sessions at Kent have had a really positive impact on both students and the local community. We always prioritise wellbeing and aim to make every session fun, welcoming, and inclusive. It\u2019s a chance for people to improve their tennis, meet new friends, and enjoy being active. One of the most rewarding parts of coaching is seeing how much players improve over time. We provide plenty of feedback and encouragement, and it\u2019s amazing to watch people gain confidence in their abilities. The positive attitude and energy that participants bring to every session are what make this role so enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roxanne<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cThe coaching me and the other students have provided has made a huge impact on the university and the community especially this year, as we have united everyone to play together and have had so many new players that have been to the sessions throughout the whole year. The fact they keep coming to each session and let us know how much they are enjoying their tennis with us is all the satisfaction I need to keep working hard and find my job so fulfilling.\u201d<\/p>\n

What are some of your favourite things about the University<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Julia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cSurprise surprise, the tennis centre! I remember arriving at uni and walking in to the tennis centre for team trials and being absolutely amazed by the tennis facilities. The sports science facilities are also great. My final year was very practical and we got to explore the different facilities they have to offer, including a heat chamber!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan\u00a0<\/strong>– \u201cSome things I love about Kent is the amazing sports facilities, as well as all the help and support we get from the academics in all areas of the subjects or social wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cOne of my favourite things about the University is how international it is. I\u2019ve met people from so many different countries, and I always find it fascinating to learn from different cultures and ways of thinking. Another thing I really love is the Tennis Centre. The facilities are fantastic, and we\u2019re very lucky to have indoor courts, which means the weather never stops us from playing. Having such great tennis facilities was actually one of the reasons I chose to study at the University of Kent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roxanne<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cThe tennis community is by far my favourite part of the University. I have enjoyed my course a lot and it has been a very interesting degree, but it wouldn’t be as amazing without the tennis. The facilities are absolutely amazing, and getting a student membership to be able to book a court at no cost whenever I wish to play is still unbelievable to me. The amount of sessions we provide the community is also astounding to me and the value everyone gets from coming to them is one of my favourite parts of our tennis programme. Everyone is there to enjoy playing tennis and learn so many different skills which is such a special thing about this and any other sport. The resilience to keep going even when it’s such a tough sport to learn is what I respect in everyone I coach and appreciate so much to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Who helps make the Kent community special for you<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Julia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cMy friends! Most of them come from the tennis society and have dealt with me during my dissertation period! Couldn\u2019t have gotten through my studies without them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cIn my past two years at the University it has been made very special by the tennis society and the coaching staff at Kent. What I have learned has made me a better coach and player.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessia\u00a0<\/strong>– \u201cI would say the coaching team, my friends, and all the students involved in the tennis programme. This past year has probably been my favourite so far because we\u2019ve built such a strong and welcoming tennis community. It\u2019s been great to see people genuinely looking forward to sessions and bringing such positive energy every week. My friends have also played a huge role in making Kent feel like home. When you study far away from your family, having a supportive group of friends around you is incredibly important. I\u2019ll always be grateful for the friendships I\u2019ve made at university, and I\u2019m sure many of them will last a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n

What advice would you give to Kent students<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Julia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cPut yourself out there and join a society, you\u2019ll have friends for life. Buy Nurofen as well, freshers flu is no joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cMy advice for Kent students is to get into any activities while at university as there are a lot of different societies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cMy biggest piece of advice would be to join a society, or even more than one if you find things that interest you. Being part of a society helps you socialise, make friends, and take your mind off any stress that comes with university life. Joining the tennis society has helped me in so many ways, both personally and socially, and it has been one of the best parts of my university experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roxanne\u00a0<\/strong>– \u201cMy advice to any Kent students would be to make the most of all these opportunities! It’s not often you will come by four amazing courts and so many cheap or free tennis sessions with qualified coaches who plan sessions everyday for you to keep improving. It’s also an amazing chance to meet people you will never forget! Don’t be scared to go to that trial session and see if it’s for you. Immerse yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n

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What are your plans for next year<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Julia<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cI worked at Wimbledon early in the summer and will continue coaching. I then plan to go into a consultancy related job, or something in the sports business field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan<\/strong>\u00a0– \u201cMy plans for the year ahead are to try and keep coaching as much as possible while in my final year to keep the other students enjoying tennis as much I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessia\u00a0<\/strong>– \u201cFor my third and final year, I would love to continue playing for the university and helping people develop their tennis skills through coaching. Academically, I plan to stay focused on my degree, maintain a First, and learn as much as possible from my final year. After graduating, I\u2019d love to find a job in London, ideally in marketing or a related field. Most importantly, I want to make the most of my final year by spending time with friends and continuing to pursue things I\u2019m passionate about, such as entrepreneurship. I also have a personal goal of learning to play the electric guitar! I\u2019m really excited for what next year will bring.<\/p>\n

Roxanne<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0\u201cMy plans are to be hopefully still coaching a little bit while working towards using my law degree in a firm. I will never forget all my experiences at Kent, especially what I’ve experienced as a Kent Sport coach and a member of the tennis society.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Our next Student Kent Diamond’s are our amazing Student Tennis Coaches. Hear from Julia, Ryan, Alessia and Roxanne about their time as Student Tennis Coaches … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56138,"featured_media":3169,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[312383],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3168"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/56138"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3168"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3174,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3168\/revisions\/3174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/student-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}