Top athletes will help boost campus’ BUCS ranking
NEWCASTLE University is aiming to cement its top-10 BUCS ranking with the recruitment of top athletes from around the world.
Team Newcastle has welcomed 143 sports scholars across 19 sports for the 2019/20 academic year in a bid to sustain its position as a leading performance sport university.
The students were welcomed to the city campus at a special event hosted by the university’s sport department consisting of the performance sport team, its coaches and support staff as well as Director of Sports Services Colin Blackburn.
Blackburn said: “This year we received 375 applications and selected 143 Sports Scholars across 19 sports.
“This has only been possible through the continued support made available by the university and the continuing support of our commercial sponsors Sir Robert McAlpine and Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic.
“The sports scholarship awards are about excellence and are aimed at ensuring our student athletes maximise their sporting and academic potential while at Newcastle.
“We wish all our scholars every success as they begin their 2019/20 BUCS campaigns.
“The challenge for the scholars of 2019 is to surpass the achievements of the scholars of 2018 and to build on our top-10 BUCS ranking.”
Each sports scholar will receive professional coaching, individualised strength and conditioning support, physiotherapy and massage as well as lifestyle support.
Competitive kayaker Nick Bennett, from Hathersage in the Peak District, is one of the 2019/20 sports scholars.
The medical student said: “The Newcastle University Canoe Club is great.
“I was not really focused on competitive kayaking before I came to Newcastle.
“The whole Newcastle Sports team, the strength and conditioning coaches and our canoe coach Chris, along with the club members, really fostered my interest in racing and supported me to develop and train in a professional manner.
“I have been super impressed with the attitude