Sports teams’ elation as they hit a winning streak
Sport students at the University of Chichester are celebrating after an incredible spell of football, netball and hockey success.
Several teams were at Surrey sports park competing at the BUCS (British Universities and College Sport) conference finals, and the men’s first football team also won a national semi-final.
It was a tense game against Nottingham Trent University, but Chichester – who have already won the BUCS Aldi Men’s Premier South League - ultimately won the Aldi Men’s National Championships semi-final on penalties 6-5 after being level at 1-1 after 120 minutes.
They are the first football team from the University of Chichester to make it through to the national finals, and were due to be playing against Hartpury yesterday at ‘Big BUCS Wednesday’ at Loughborough.
Danny Potter, programme co-ordinator for football coaching and performance, said: “Our men’s first team are history makers – getting to the final is such a big achievement when looking at the size of us versus other universities.
"It’s fair to say we are the best university for football in the country at the moment.”
And it wasn’t just football where the university saw success. The women’s hockey first team won the ICG Women’s South Eastern Cup, beating Royal Holloway 3-2.
And the women’s netball team won against Portsmouth Women’s twos 57-33, as well as winning the Tier 2A South Eastern League. Both teams brought home the South Eastern Conference Cups.
And last but not least, the
England Universities South team – comprising the best men’s players from all universities in the south – taking three students from Chichester to play at St George’s Park, as well as 12 more students in support roles such as coaching, analysts, therapists and media.
Potter continued: “Over the past few years we’ve built a reputation for being a team who can work within the game, not just play the game – our students have a chance to coach, provide sport science support, or work in sports therapy and sports media as part of our teams – not just play the game. And all this happened at the home of England football, St George’s Park. It was amazing.”
Louise Waghorn, the Students’ Union sports and activities co-ordinator, said: “We are incredibly proud of our sports teams’ continued successes, and as another year of sport is coming to a close it’s been a joy to watch our players go from strength to strength, rise to each occasion and bring home some well-earned titles.”