UCSU Sports Federation News

2008/09 has been a hugely successful year for Chichester with 7 out of 23 teams winning their BUCS (British University College Sport) leagues; including Cricket, Men’s Rugby 1’s, Netball 2nds, Women’s Hockey 1st and 2nd Teams, Men’s Tennis & Women’s Badminton. In the Cups 2 of our teams Men’s Rugby 1’s & Women’s Hockey 1’s won the BUCS Southern Conference Cup. The Saturday Football Team lifted the Malcolm Simmonds Cup after defeating TD Shipley on Penalties in a dramatic final.

In representative sport, the National Representative Fund has seen a number of student’s trial for English University Representative Squads and compete in individual BUCS Competitions. In all, over 40 students have been supported across a range of Sports including Boxing, Power lifting, Climbing, Athletics, Netball, Basketball, Volleyball & Football. 6 students were selected for the prestigious England University Squads including Katharina Wohlberg (Basketball), Mike Cooper & Kim Whitcombe (Football), Mel Curson (Netball), Theresa Farley (Volleyball) & Lloyd Ellet (Boxing). Katharina was awarded MVP at the Basketball Home Nations Event, and Mel has been selected for the Great Britain University Squad. Martyn Hinchey & Mark Todd played in the England Dragons Aussie Rules Football team that won the European Championships.

Overall the University of Chichester finished 56th/147 institutions in the BUCS Rankings, a rise of 12 places from 2007/08. This places us higher than institutions such as Surrey (59), Sussex (60), Liverpool John-Moore’s (62), & St Mark & St John’s (Marjons) (70).

Varsity Day saw new opponents in the form of East Sussex rivals Brighton University, 13 fixtures were fiercely fought with the day being decided in the final minute of the final Basketball fixture, Brighton edging a great sporting day 7-6 overall.

Outside of performance Sport, the Sports Federation supported & hosted several events including the Ultimate Frisbee South East regional Qualifying Event here at the Bishop Otter Campus that saw over 20 teams compete. The same Weekend saw the Tough Guy Club compete in Wolverhampton in the annual 'Tough Guy' event; despite sub zero temperatures 16 students to their credit completed the extreme assault course.

March saw a School Sports Day & Dodge Ball Event held that raised over £200 for RAG.

This year saw the annual Colours Evening take place at Goodwood Racecourse’s Charlton Suite, 170 students & guests were treated to a 3 course meal, awards ceremony & after dinner speech from Guest Speaker former Head England Rugby Coach Brian Ashton MBE.

Sid Fletcher
Sports Development Manager
Students’ Union

---

Students rewarded for a year to remember

More than 400 students packed out the University of Chichester's ZeeBar for the annual Sports Federation Sports Awards. Hosted by Federation president Marrisa Joseph, it kicked off with a video of the sporting year produced by Helen Coyte.

Presentations were made to the ladies' basketball team for their SUSC Cup win, led by captain Chloe McEwan and featuring two English University representatives.

The men's rugby club were up next as Martyn Smith picked up the most improved player award. The club's second team picked up awards for the most improved team and club of the year. A key member of the club, Spencer Humphreys, won the special recognition award for his efforts as team physio.

This year saw a tough guy club formed. Seven guys from the University took part in one of the toughest sports events the body can take. Events included hill hell, extreme cold, load lugging and water torture. Those who took part and completed this competition were recognised for their efforts - Rob Fordham, Francis Melmoe, Joel Lane, Asa Leathem, Graham Jackson, Harry Mann and James Ruggles.

The University also has an impressive record in elite individual competitions. Students to represent the University with distinction include Lloyd Ellet, who won the BUSA 69kg welterweight gold, and represented the English Universities team in the boxing home nations competition in Sheffield.

Ten students went to trials for representative university squads and to their immense credit six made it to the final squads.

Rob Attwood got to the English University volleyball trials but just missed final selection. Gemma Lowe, incoming netball club president, was voted sports personality, and the finale of the evening saw the men's football first team named team of the year, having won their league and reached the semi-finals of the BUSA Shield. The University praised sports shop Game, Set & Match for its support for student sport.

British Games success for University of Chichester students

The recent British University Games came to an end with England winning the overall competition, after four days of intense competition across five sports.

Six University of Chichester students represented England across four different sports and they all played a considerable part in England’s overall win.

BA (Hons) Physical Education and Teaching student Kim Whitcombe, played in the final match that saw England draw 2-2 with Northern Ireland and win on penalties to claim the Football title.

BA (Hons) Physical Education and Teaching student Siobhan Aherne and Year 1 B.Sc Sports Science student Vicky Kimber, played in all 3 Hockey matches, both scoring in their opening 4-2 win over Wales. Defeat to Scotland 3-0 saw the England Hockey team finish runners up.

BA (Hons) Physical Education and Teaching student Anna Howson, played in the England Netball team managed by Physical Education and Teaching lecturer Jane Lomax. After a narrow defeat 44-42 to Northern Ireland and a 45 all draw with Wales, England rallied to defeat Scotland 68-31 and finished runners up.

BA (Hons) Physical Education and Teaching student Holly Over & GTP Student Katharina Wohlberg, played in all 3 games for the England Basketball team. Defeating Northern Ireland 97-46, Wales 111-37 and finally Scotland to claim the Basketball title. Katharina was awarded the Basketball Competitions Most Valuable Player for her outstanding efforts!

Above back row:
Sarah Gilroy, Dean of the Faculty of Sport, Education and Social Sciences
Katharina Wohlberg, student on the Graduate Teacher Programme, Basketball
Kim Whitcombe (Year 3 BA Hons Physical Education and Teaching) Football
Siobhan Aherne (Year 2 BA Hons Physical Education and Teaching) Hockey
Robin Baker, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chichester

Above front row:
Holly Over (Year 2 BA Hons Physical Education and Teaching) Basketball
Anna Howson (Year 2 BA Hons Physical Education and Teaching) Netball
Vicky Kimber (Year 1 BSc Sports Science) Hockey