The U of M Tennis Club (UMTC) president, Craig Hillier, has stated that the club’s long-term goal is to build a competitive varsity team for U SPORTS. The club also aims to expand the program and create a welcoming space where students of all skill levels can play tennis.

Hillier said that developing a stronger, more competitive team will help them perform at a higher level and compete for titles at both the Prairie Regional Championship and the Western Championship.

The short-term goals for the team include increasing funding and competitive play.

Earlier this month, the UMTC women’s team scored its first-ever series of wins in both singles and doubles. Hillier noted that the historic feat is an “important milestone.” He added, “In a very short time putting the team together, we’ve been able to work together to form a cohesive team and also take that next step that we’re looking for to work toward a more competitive team within the prairie provinces.”

He reflected on the women’s team’s performance against the University of Calgary.

“The girls did an excellent job. They enjoyed themselves and cheered one another on and played very loose, which allowed them to be successful against a Calgary team that may not have put in as much training as we had.”

Hillier said the funding from Tennis Canada has been helpful for the team and expressed hope that the support will continue in the coming years to allow them “push the boundaries and make that extra step to being even more competitive next year.”

“I think [both programs] made great strides in the last few years,” Hillier said. “Every year, for both teams, we’ve become more and more competitive […] I think we’ve really started to make waves, and our waves are starting to get a little bit larger. I think the other universities are starting to feel that, that we’re more than just a tennis club.”