Sporting year’s ranking as best yet for campus
NEWCASTLE University has achieved its highest ever sport ranking, finishing eighth overall in the national BUCS rankings for sport.
Newcastle had 22 teams winning their respective BUCS Leagues – the university’s highest ever number of league titles in any season.
One of the highlights was the campus’ men’s basketball squad winning the Premier North League and then going on to become national champions after winning the final against Durham University in Nottingham.
On top of this, Newcastle had another 10 teams winning their respective cup competitions.
They finished the year with 13 sports inside the top 10 nationally, with eight of those sports top five.
Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University, said: “Our national ranking is a fantastic achievement and one we should be very proud of.
“These results are testament to all the hard work of our student athletes and professional staff.
“I know there is so much support work done to allow our student athletes and respective teams to excel and be the very best they can be. I would ike to thank them all.”
Fraser Kennedy, Performance Sport Manager, Newcastle University, added: “The national ranking is fundamental to the university’s reputation and sport really enhances our profile and the ability to attract the best student athletes.
“This is a record-breaking year in terms of league and cup achievements as well as the 48 students who have won international honours and/or professional contracts.”
Three Newcastle University students will be taking part in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Natasha Lee will be representing Jersey in fencing, Femi Sofolarin for Scotland and Lauren Torley will compete in the rugby sevens.
The university’s Head of Strength and Conditioning Richard Eaton is also part of the Falkland Islands’ badminton coaching team.
The World Under-23 Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy in August will feature Newcastle students Joe Adamson (double), Bruce Turnell (coxed four) and Sam Shuker (coxing the women’s eight.)
All three were part of the Newcastle coxed four which reached the semi-finals at Henley Royal Regatta earlier this summer.
Rachel Bradley will also be sculling in a women’s quad at the European Under-23 Championships in September.