Ace start to 2026 for University’s tennis programme

The University of Stirling’s high-performance tennis programme has enjoyed a successful start to 2026 – with its players triumphing in major competitions and its coach winning a top award.

Anna McBride scooped her fourth singles title in a row – and her third doubles title in four years – at the Australian Open’s Intellectual Disability Championships, while the Men’s First Team retained the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) National League title.

In further success for the programme, Lead Coach Scott MacAulay was crowned Performance Coach of the Year at the Tennis Scotland Awards 2026.

Anna McBride won her fourth singles title and third doubles title at the Australian Open Intellectual Disability Championships.

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, said: “It has been an incredible start to the year for our high-performance tennis programme, with major wins in prestigious competitions and a well-deserved award for Scott.

“For Anna to win her fourth consecutive singles title, and her third doubles title in four years, at the Australian Open’s Intellectual Disability Championships, is a phenomenal feat – we are delighted to see her continued dominance at this major competition. We are also very proud of our Men’s First Team who have retained their BUCS National League title – reaffirming Stirling’s place at the top table of university sport in the UK.

“Under Scott’s leadership, the high-performance tennis programme continues to go from strength to strength, and these latest successes illustrate what can be achieved when you combine athletes’ talent and dedication with our top-class coaching and world-leading training environment here at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

“For Scott to be recognised by his governing body for his contribution to performance sport in Scotland is brilliant – and we send him our congratulations.”

Anna McBride at the Australian Open

The Intellectual Disability Championships at the Australian Open is in its fourth year. Anna won the inaugural women’s singles and doubles trophies in 2023, and successfully defended both titles in 2024. She won the singles again in 2025, but was unable to make it three-in-a-row in the doubles.

At this year’s event, held in Melbourne, third-year student Anna put in another impressive performance to win the Women’s Intellectual Impairment-1 (II1) singles, beating Eva Blanc 6-2, 7-6 in the final, before winning the doubles with her Australian partner Kelly Wren.

Anna said: “This event continues to be a real highlight of my year – competing at such a prestigious event, alongside so many talented athletes, is always incredibly special and inspiring.

“I am proud to win the ladies’ singles title for the fourth consecutive year, and to claim the ladies’ doubles title alongside Kelly – my third doubles title. To achieve this success four years in a row is truly amazing, but it’s the experience itself and the incredible atmosphere that makes it even more special.

“Competing at the Australian Open, surrounded by world-class athletes, is an unforgettable experience – being so close to some of the best players in the world is incredibly inspiring and motivates me to keep pushing myself.”

She added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the Lawn Tennis Association, Trefoil, Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, and Tennis Australia for their funding and support. Without their generosity, opportunities like this would be very difficult to make possible. I am incredibly thankful for their continued support, as well as for all my friends, family, and everyone back home who encourage me every day.”

BUCS National League title

After winning last year’s BUCS National League title, the Men’s First Team put in a steadfast defence of their trophy across the 2025/26 season, and, after nine matches, it culminated in a winner-takes-all match against Nottingham at the weekend (Sunday, 15 February).

The Stirling team – Nemanja Malesevic, Liam Hignett, Rob Cowley, Cameron Fryer and Kyle McKay – emerged victorious from the crucial tie, winning 4-2, which saw them crowned champions, two points ahead of second-placed Nottingham. It also meant that they finished the season unbeaten, having won eight matches – with home and away victories to Bath, Nottingham, Durham and Leeds Beckett – and drawn twice with Loughborough.

Scott MacAulay won Performance Coach of the Year at the Tennis Scotland Awards 2026 (credit: Tennis Scotland)

Scott was celebrated at the prestigious Tennis Scotland Awards 2026, where he was recognised with the Performance Coach of the Year award. The accolade was presented following Scott’s unprecedented achievement in securing the ‘quadruple crown’ of national BUCS titles and Anna’s performance at the Australian Open 2025.

Speaking afterwards, Scott said: “I am incredibly honoured. Success in tennis is never a solo effort – this award is testament to the hard work, discipline and resilience of the players that I’m lucky enough to work with every day. Watching these players grow and compete at the highest level has been the real reward.”

Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland Blane Dodds said: “Congratulations to the winners and the finalists at this year’s Tennis Scotland Awards, all of whom make an extraordinary contribution to tennis and padel across the country.

“We are so grateful to volunteers, coaches and officials for everything they do, and for giving up their time to support players, events and venues.”

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Core sports include tennis, football, triathlon, golf, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.