We spoke with South African tennis player, Jett Ellis-George about his decision to pursue his postgraduate studies and tennis career in the UK.
Home to the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, the UK occupies a unique and storied place in tennis history.
This rich tradition fuels a strong passion for the sport which is reflected in the UK’s higher education system, where many universities offer elite tennis programs with world-class facilities and expert coaching, allowing students to excel both athletically and academically.
South African-born Jett Ellis-George is one tennis player set to take full advantage of this dynamic environment when he arrives in the UK next week.
Using our free counselling service, Jett was able to explore several exciting postgraduate opportunities at some of the UK’s top tennis institutions. The Rhodes University graduate ultimately decided to accept a sports scholarship to play at the University of Essex, where he will be pursuing his master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
With a wealth of experience and a strong drive to succeed in the UK’s competitive university tennis circuit, Jett shared insights with us about his decision to study in the UK, his enthusiasm for this new chapter, and his experience working with The Student Sport Company.
Meet Jett
Attended Westerford High School and Rhodes University in South Africa.
Former No.1 Player and Captain on both High School and University teams.
Achieved sport scholarship to play tennis at the University of Essex.
Will be pursuing his Master’s Degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in tennis?
“I grew up in the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa where I found a true passion for sports, particularly Tennis and Football.
I started learning tennis at the age of nine with the help and support of my father and a local tennis coach. I immediately fell in love with the game and felt at home on court, playing competitively at school and club level. At around fourteen years old, I started competing in local tournaments and became recognized as a promising junior in my area. At sixteen years old, I had an opportunity to join the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Nice, France, but decided that pursuing professional tennis was not for me.
After having represented Westerford High School and Rhodes University as the number one tennis player for many years, I am excited to go abroad to represent the University of Essex in England!”
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Jett started learning tennis at the age of nine with the support of his father and a local coach. After several years competing in local tournaments, he was recognized as a promising junior, ranking in the top 50 in South Africa at the under-16 level. Having excelled at both Westerford High School and Rhodes University, Jett is now ready to embrace an exciting new chapter in his tennis career.
What motivated you to pursue your master’s degree in the UK?
“Academically, I am an aspiring sports psychologist. After completing a South African postgraduate degree in Psychology, specializing in sports and performance psychology, I would like to equip myself with another level of knowledge in my field of choice. I believe that I can bring unique skills in my field that can be applied in environments that offer greater opportunities within elite sport.
I am certain that this degree will give me the tools and experience that will help me achieve my dreams.”
In addition to serving as captain and leading his teams at the number one position during his high school and university years, Jett has gained extensive experience competing in various competitions including the USSA Tennis Championships (pictured). Away from the court, his passion for the game is reflected in roles such as Chairman of Rhodes University Tennis Club and Head Coach at the Diocesan School for Girls.
During the recruitment process, we were able to help you find a wide variety of opportunities. What made the University of Essex stand out to you?
“The University of Essex stood out to me for a variety of reasons. The academic standing and reputation of Essex was the greatest of the options that were affordable to me, and the tennis scholarship that they offered to me made the move possible.
Along with this, the coaching staff were extremely helpful and supportive in the process, and made me feel like a wanted asset. Their kindness and positivity was inviting, and this made the tennis environment stand out. Considering all of the academic and sporting factors, Essex was my best option.”
Jett will be pursuing his master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Essex, located in the South East of England. Renowned for its international reputation in teaching and research, sport is also an integral part of the student experience at Essex who offer over 40 clubs in both traditional and non-traditional sports.
Having now accepted an offer, what are you most looking forward to ahead of the upcoming academic year?
“I am looking forward to many things, particularly being in a new environment far from home and meeting so many new people. I am excited for the course and the challenges that will come with it, as I am very passionate about the field which I will be studying.
However, I am most excited to be a part of the tennis team and to play in a competitive league where the level of competition is high.”
Jett will be joining the Essex Blades, one of the UK’s top university tennis programs. Boasting two men’s teams and three women’s teams, players can compete in singles and doubles matches across various leagues and trophy competitions. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated coaching staff, Jett will have the opportunity to train and compete in a high-performance setting while balancing his postgraduate studies.
Can you describe your experience working with our team during the university search and application process?
“I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience working with The Student Sport Company team.
They were extremely helpful and supportive, and always available to assist with any and all things to do with the search and application process.
I thank Shaun and Harry for their efforts, as this would not have been possible without them.”
Want to pursue your sport and education at a university in the UK?
The Student Sport Company are here to guide you every step of the way!
We proudly work with the leading sporting and academic institutions throughout the U.K. and are able to offer international students of all ages and levels of study the opportunity to combine their preferred academic qualifications with their sporting ambitions.
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