UCAM has joined Green Tennis as a key partner. This project, financially supported by the European Union as part of the Erasmus+ programme, aims to reduce the environmental impact of this sport and promote ecological practices throughout its whole ecosystem. Known as Tennis for a Greener Future, the project is led by Tennis Europe in collaboration with another six international organizations: Hungarian Tennis Association, Centenary Tennis Clubs, Stfitelsen We Play Green, AIforLives GmbH, Mobile Adventure and Collective Innovation AS.

The goal of this initiative is to implement sustainable practices in tennis clubs and events of any level, from National Tennis Centres to local tournaments. UCAM, through its Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, plays a crucial role in the first phase of the project, leading the research on environmental responsibility in tennis. The university will contribute through data collection and the analysis of existing scientific literature to the development of strategies based on evidence to implement good practices in clubs. 

Juan Alfonso García, Academic Director and Coordinator of the Bachelor's Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at UCAM Cartagena, explains that ‘the goal is to provide a solid scientific basis that allows clubs to adopt effective and environmentally friendly practices. We are working on a meticulous analysis of the current state of sustainability in tennis in order to create guidelines based on scientific data to improve the environmental impact of this sport.’

During this first phase, which began last January, the participants of the project met at a workshop in Oslo, Norway, to distribute tasks and roles. The research led by UCAM will serve as a basis for the production of future sustainable strategies. In the coming months, surveys will be conducted and a web platform will be developed to promote environmental preservation training among tennis clubs.