Third year student, Oli Lewis and captain of Tennis society has put the blame on himself despite not doing anything wrong after closure to facilities in Gloucester have paused their chance to play and prepare themselves for tournaments. “Even though it’s out of my control, I still promised them training, matches and I can’t provide that at the minute, I feel like I’m letting them down and frustrated that I can’t play myself”.
“I’m angry but with no one in particular, you want to be angry at the SU but you can’t but at the end of the day everyone’s struggling, they haven’t closed the facilities because they don’t like tennis its financials reasons” It’s been a frustrating and hectic start to the year across all sports and Lewis has faced the top end of that being the captain.
Varsity is a huge event in the scale of university sport its relevant to a Champions League final and its now under jeopardy. “I wanted to lead a team into Varsity, because coming off last year we did lose but this year with a new squad I got the feel we had a real chance so now that Varsity is in doubt it’s really frustrating, nothing is big as Varsity, as long as we had Varsity, we were happy“.
“We went into this year with Varsity a guarantee and it came out Monday all the facilities are closing the tennis centre, we didn’t end up hearing official confirmation until this morning, but at the moment its looking that we won’t have Varsity, I’m holding back on telling everyone that part“ Lewis is dreading informing his squad members of the news as he knows it’s a deal breaker.
“I’m trying to be honest and open with them, I’m just as furious as they are”. Lewis has the incredibly difficult task of being representable and being there for his squad members as Captain whilst at the same time being just as or even more frustrated with the closure of the leisure centre”.
“We have been offered to go try out some courts so me and the committee members might go test them tonight meet the owners and ensure it is okay the issue is the courts being outdoors, and winter approaching it won’t be ideal. My number one priority is my players safety and in regards to being asked if there are any plans to go and find a new place to play so we can play again.
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