Image of Hockey scholars in their UB New Balance kit at the hockey pitchesCategoriesStudent News

Talented Hockey Scholars Selected for EDP Programme

Talented Hockey Scholars Selected for GB EDP Programme 2023

Four of our Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway (EDCAP) scholars have been selected for the highly competitive GB Elite Development Programme (EDP) 2023. This programme is designed for Hockey players who are identified as having the potential to be medal-winning Olympians, providing them with opportunities to excel and reach their full performance potential at an international level.

 

Evie, Millie, Betsan, Emma (from left to right) are part of our Women 1’s Hockey Club, representing the Lions at various national and international Hockey events.

 

We asked them a few questions about their recent success!

What aspect of the EDP Programme have you found most valuable so far?

 

‘I think just the experiences it gives you, so going on tournaments abroad – we had the World Cup last year which was an incredible experience. It kind of sets you up for more than just Hockey.’- Emma (reselected for the EDP)

 

‘For me, it’s great to keep the contact with a lot of the girls I’ve been playing with for such a long time. It’s just nice socially to go and have a good time and play at a high standard.’ – Millie (reselected for the EDP)

What part of the programme are you most looking forward to?

 

‘I’m most excited to meet new people and play Hockey at the highest level. Coming from a University that already provides good Hockey, I now get to try my hardest in a new environment’. – Betsan (new to the EDP)

Betsan in action on the pitch
Emma sat with Hockey team

How has the support from the EDCAP programme helped you with your goals?

 

‘I think we’re lucky to have such good coaches here, Chris helps so much on the pitch with sessions twice a week, then we have Mark in the gym, and then we have Nutritionists and Physiotherapists that keeps us well and taped up, so we can still be playing and training.’ | Evie (reselected for EDP)

 

‘It’s always flexible, at any given point you can pop in and see someone and get advice or change a session if you need to change it. So the availability of the support here is world-class.‘ | Millie

Hockey Goalkeeper Evie Wood in action
Millie Gigglio in action on the pitch

What’s the next thing you’re working towards?

 

‘The next big tournament is the Junior World Cup in Chile in December, and then there’s just other smaller tournaments and training camps.’- Emma

What would your advice be to anyone looking to get into Hockey?

‘I think definitely surround yourself with people who have similar objectives to you, like if you can go out there and join a team that is a standard that you aspire to be that really helps. Take a look at your life as a whole, we put in a lot of work off the pitch as well on the pitch, it doesn’t just come down to what you do on a training day or a game, it comes down to your decisions the minute you wake up to the minute you go to sleep. I guess take more of a holistic approach to it.‘- Millie

Big congratulations to our scholars on this incredible achievement. We can’t wait to see what they go on to accomplish through the programme as a result of their hard work and commitment to Hockey! 

To learn more about our sport scholarships, check out our dedicated webpage. 

Interested in joining a Hockey team? We have a number of opportunities for you to get involved, ranging from beginner level all the way up to competitive.

Photo credits: Eva Gilbert and Nathan Styles Porter

sunlight peaking through a plantCategoriesNutrition

How to boost your Vitamin D levels

How to boost your vitamin D levels

Meet Rachel, our Lead Performance Nutritionist who supports our scholars and performance teams to ensure their diets are optimised for training and overall wellbeing.

 

Rachel got into Sports Nutrition after completing her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition. She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Sports Nutrition having played competitive sports for most of her life and is currently completing her PhD in Energy Availability!

 

In this blog, Rachel provides her top tips on how to boost your vitamin D levels through food and supplements.

 

Why do we need vitamin D?

 

Vitamin D is essential for bone health, muscle recovery and immunity and therefore for athletes to feel and perform optimally. Our primary source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. However, during the winter months in the UK, sunlight is not strong enough for us to meet vitamin D requirements. This leaves individuals at risk of deficiency and comprised muscle recovery, bone health and immunity.

Sources of vitamin D

 

Vitamin D can be found in small amounts in foods such as oily fish and eggs, however, the amounts are typically too small  to meet demands. Therefore, it is recommended that most individuals in the UK supplement vitamin D during the winter months (between October and March).

Individuals, particularly those with health conditions, should check with their doctor or healthcare professional prior to supplementing. You can check out the NHS page here for more advice and information.

Egg yolks in a bowl

Considerations for Athletes

 

If you are an athlete that is supplementing, you need to be aware of Clean Sport and checking your supplements. You can be tested at any time, and if found to have anything in your system that goes against the World Anti-Doping Code (2021), it could potentially cost you your whole career! Find out more about how you can check your supplements here, and don’t take any risks. 

Find out more about our sport nutrition services and how we help our athletes build the best nutrition plans to help them perform.

YOUoB Connect Festival BannerCategoriesEvents Student News

UoBe Festival Week Round-Up

UoBe Festival Week Round-Up

Last week students took part in UoBe Festival, offering a jam-packed schedule of activities and events before the academic term settles in. It was a great success, with students from all backgrounds engaging in our activities, from Try-a-Sport sessions to the Daily Varsity challenge to the College Cup and more! 

 

Here is a summary of some of the highlights across the week.

 

Image of students taking part in sunrise yoga session on the top floor of the main library

Sunrise Yoga

The week started off strong with some early morning Yoga held on the 4th floor of the main library, providing an unbeatable view of the infamous Old Joe clock. Our brilliant yoga instructor facilitated the session, allowing students to start their days with relaxation, balance and gentle stretching. 

Image of students standing with Jack. Tennis Coordinator

Tennis Masterclass  

 

Our amazing Tennis Coordinator provided a one-week free Tennis Masterclass designed to introduce beginners to tennis and teach them the basics. 

 

By the end of the week, all of the students were able to play in a tournament, with doubles and singles matches. Overarm serves, forehands, backhands, volleys and an understanding of the correct tennis scoring system were all put into play on the final day! 

 

Students reported feeling more confident in playing tennis and will take the skills they’ve learned into future games they play!

Varsity Daily Challenges 

 

From 2-3:30pm every day, our Participation Team organised a daily Varsity challenge. With the challenge changing each day, students gave a great effort and were awarded additional points towards their college for the overall College Cup score.  

Image of students playing football on Bournbrook Pitches

College Cup  

 

Across the week students represented their colleges in daily sport matches as part of the College Cup competition. From 3 v 3 basketball to Football on the Bournbrook pitches, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) claimed a well-deserved victory! 

Two adjacent squash courses in use by students
A student climbing towards the top of the climbing wall

Try-a-Sport sessions 

 

Students had the opportunity to try out a new sport through our Try-a-Sport sessions and social sport sessions. Facilitated by our Sport Development Team, Participation Team, and Student Societies, students got involved in various mixed ability sport sessions including Judo, Climbing, Squash, Netball and Bench ball. 

It was great to see so many students engaging with our facilities, especially those who don’t usually take part in sporting activities. Sport is for all, and sometimes it just takes trying out a few different things to find what you warm to the most!

 

Has one of our sessions inspired you to get more involved in sports? We have an extensive range of sporting opportunities designed for all levels of skill and commitment.

Image of Andrew Ward bench pressing at a championshipCategoriesMember News Physiology

Member Spotlight: Andrew Ward, GB Powerlifter and Entrepreneur

Member Spotlight: Andrew Ward (GB Powerlifter, Entrepreneur, and Author)

Alumni and community member, Andrew Ward has been using our Sport & Fitness club since we first opened back in 2017. Andrew’s hard work begins here, most recently securing fourth place in the IPF Bench Press World Championships 2022 in Kazakhstan, using our facilities to train for competitions, alongside his active lifestyle.  

 

Andrew has been powerlifting for nearly a decade and has an impressive competition history. From winning the IPF British Bench Press Championships three times, to competing twice at the World Championships representing Great Britain, he has been making history! 

 

We asked Andrew a few questions about his experience and background, to hear his inspiring story. 

Image of Andrew Ward winning 2021 competition

Photo credit: White Lights Media

 

How long have you been strength training, and what got you into it?

I have been training in powerlifting for roughly 10 years but have always been involved in sports. I started my training journey with athletics when I was younger and then progressed to gymnastics when I was at university. I trained at the Munrow sports centre, and when I graduated, I found it difficult to maintain a structured gymnastics program. I then started going to the gym with a friend and lifting weights. One of my friends pointed out I would qualify for the British championships, so I decided to give it a go.

 

Why did you start training at University of Birmingham?

I initially chose the University of Birmingham due to its excellent facilities. It has a wide selection of equipment and calibrated plates, making it the perfect environment for my powerlifting training needs. Its central location and ease of parking make it extremely accessible.

 

What makes the Sport and Fitness club a good place for your training?

The staff at the gym have created a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. They are incredibly friendly and helpful and have even accommodated my requests for new equipment. For example, they recently added a heavy-duty bench with safety bars for use when lifting heavier weights. This means I don’t have to worry about dropping the bar on my neck.

 

What was it like competing at the World Benchpress Championships?

Competing at the World Championships was an incredible privilege, marking a massive achievement. On one hand, you are able to perform at a high level that enables you to compete internationally. On the other, you are surrounded by the greatest athletes in the world, giving the experience a unique spectacle. Everything is also well-organised and professional.

Additionally, it is a great privilege to be able to travel internationally for your sport; for example, I have been to Budapest, Kazakhstan and Lithuania, places I likely would not have visited otherwise.

 

How easy is it for our members to get into Powerlifting?

Powerlifting is an inclusive sport that is open to anyone, regardless of age and experience. The main lifts are the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift, so if you are already lifting weights and enjoy those exercises, you will likely enjoy powerlifting.

There is an active and welcoming community that is easy to get involved with, as each region in the country has its own powerlifting group that runs competitions. These competitions cater to beginners and more advanced athletes, so you don’t have to be at an elite level to give it a try. If you find yourself lifting at a high standard, you may even qualify for the British Championships. For more information on upcoming competitions, visit the British Powerlifting website.

 

How did you get into running your own Software Development business?

I’ve been interested in technology since I was a young child. After finishing my Taekwondo classes, I began to browse the internet and became fascinated by the idea of creating. After college, I was given the opportunity to work at Rolls-Royce. This provided me with invaluable experience and knowledge which I applied to my degree in computer science for business management. I continued doing freelance work alongside my studies as an additional source of income, making use of my corporate experience.

 

Upon graduating, I decided to set up a limited company, offering more complex web apps and online tools; this business has been running for nearly 13 years, and now specialises in complex mobile apps and online software.

Andrew Ward in first place on the podium for the Benchpress World Championships

Photo credit: White Lights Media

 

It’s safe to say that Andrew has an exciting future ahead of him, after already accomplishing such amazing things within the sport and business fields. Graduating in 2010 with a degree in Computer Science and Business Management, Andrew has gone on to run an app and online software development agency, and he has even published his own book. 

 

He plans to continue powerlifting, with a goal of longevity in his sport. We feel great pride that he chooses to train at the University gym and utilises our extensive range of equipment to help him perform.  

 

You can follow Andrew on Instagram via @andrewleeward, or read more about him on his personal website. Or check out Andrew’s intensive training routine in action! 

 

If you’ve been inspired by Andrew’s story and want to find out more about our gym memberships – whether you’re an athlete in training, or simply keeping fit – view our memberships today.  

Do you have a personal story about your fitness journey at Sport & Fitness? We would love to hear from you! Get in touch by emailing [email protected] to feature on our channels.

A group of British Junior Open medallistsCategoriesEvents

The British Junior Open 2023: Celebrating Success

The British Junior Open 2023: Celebrating Success

We are proud to have partnered with England Squash to host the prestigious British Junior Open tournament again this year. Bringing together the best junior Squash players from 53 countries for the U19’s tournament, there was a great buzz in the building across the week!

Recognising our Scholars

Two of our first year Scholars took part in the British Junior Open, both with strong Squash backgrounds including rankings in the December 2022 BUCS Individuals and the Professional Squash Association. Hana Ismail is one of our Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway (EDCAP) Scholars, studying Medical Life and Geo Sciences. Our second Scholar, Olivia Besant, is one of our Squash Scholars who is studying first year Physiotherapy. With Hana finishing in 16th place representing Egypt, and Olivia in 23rd place representing England, they both gave an incredible performance!

Spanning across 5 days, we saw 650 players competing in 552 high-energy games. Our Munrow Arena was transformed with training courts and the main Glass court which was overlooked by hundreds of spectators.

An action shot of two males competing in the British Junior Open in the Glass Court

Tournament Winners

On the final day of tournaments, we saw Finnlay Withington (England) and Amina Orfi (Egypt) claim their well-deserved under 19s titles.  

British Junior Open winners Finnlay Withington (Left) and Amina Orfi (Right) holding their trophies.

A big well done to everyone who took part in the tournament this year, including those who volunteered to help make the event happen!

Interested in playing Squash at UoB? From social squash, to student squash teams, to performance squash, we offer something to suit all levels of abilities and personal goals.