Announcement Archives - University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness

sixty students athletes from Ivy League Exchange posing on the athletics track

Birmingham Ivy League Exchange 2024

Just after Easter, a squad of 60 selected athletes, including five coaches, set out on a two-week student exchange to four Ivy League Universities from Harvard, Yale, Penn and Cornell, following in the footsteps of generations of Birmingham student-athletes before them.

An earthquake, storm, and the experience of a lifetime

The adventure began in New York City, where a storm welcomed the team in the heart of Manhattan. Even with the weather, some athletes eagerly ventured into Central Park for their first run! But this wasn’t the only surprise during their trip – following a rewarding Alumni gathering in NYC, the team faced an unexpected challenge – a magnitude 4.8 earthquake. Despite obstacles, our senior athletes and coaches had a chance to share their stories and network with the attendees, having a rewarding experience for both parties impressed by each other’s achievements. Later in the day, the athletes paired up with their student hosts for the three-night visit to the University of Pennsylvania.

Taking wins back home!

The first competition took place at the iconic Franklin Fields stadium, where Birmingham League had a chance to experience and take three individual wins from our athletes, each achieving personal bests in the process:

Josh Woods leading in the Long Jump with 7.41 (PB)

James Pratt excelled in Javelin, with 64.74 (PB)

Jasmine Wilkins sprinted through 100m, with 11.78 (PB) – an impressive score putting her for consideration for the World U20 Championships in Peru later this summer.

A highlight of the trip came at the University of Connecticut Northeast Challenge, where the team shattered records and set the stage for future successes. The quartet of Molly Swingler, Jasmine Wilkins, Zoe Austridge and Maddie Whapples came away with a New University Club Record of 47.13s in the Women’s 4×100 relay.

We wanted to say a huge congratulations to all participants and our winners!

A Journey Across Four Universities

After successful and exciting days with our friendly host at the University of Pennsylvania, the journey continued to Cornell University, where the team had to experience a solar eclipse, embracing the time to recover and train in world-class facilities voted one of the top in the US.

Arriving at Harvard, the athletes were greeted by their fellows. Having a full day in Boston, the team toured the impressive campus before visiting the famous Fenway Park for an evening at the Red Sox baseball game – a truly cultural experience.

Arriving at Yale University for the final stage of their journey, the team enjoyed a leisurely four days in New Haven, focusing on recovery, training and sightseeing, including a campus tour, Cherry Blossom Festival, beach visit and more.

Sharing his experience, Luke Gunn – UoB Sport Head of Performance – said:

“I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of you at the University who assisted in making this event happen be it through fundraising, assistance with logistics or just shared passion for this amazing exchange. We are so proud of this wonderful relationship we have with all 4 universities as it anchors us in connections with counterparts across the pond with similar passions, problems and ambitions.”

The University of Birmingham will be hosting the next exchange in 2026, where we will see the best athletes from Penn and Cornell competing on campus! The Ivy League exchange has been taking place since the 1960s and, based on the enthusiasm from all parties, it’s easy to see this continuing through to the 2060s and beyond.

April 25, 2024April 25, 2024 Emilia Zwierz

Sports Awards attendees holding name placeholders in spectator seats

Announcement Student News

Secure your tickets for Sports Awards 2024

Clubs, coaches and recreational teams can now secure their seats for this year’s Sports Awards 2024 evening taking place on Thursday 30 May 2024.

Nominations closed last month across the 13 categories which celebrate the sporting success of the Universities competitive and recreational representatives, welcome over 250 applications this year.

Returning once again to the Brammall Music Building, general tickets for this year’s Awards can now be secured by filling out our online form, open from today. In a slight change to the usual proceedings and to allow for more availability, individuals can now book their place, as well as up to an allocation of four additional places.

There are 200 general tickets allocated and are based on a first-come-first-served basis, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment. To allow for inclusivity, some larger clubs may be capped at the discretion of the Club Development team to ensure all clubs/teams can be represented.

Please note, all shortlisted nominees across each category will each receive an additional ticket for a guest to join them on the evening. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted at the beginning of May, and any duplicated ticket bookings as a result of earlier bookings will be managed by our team.

To book, CLICK HERE and simply provide your details, the names and email addresses of those attending in your party as well as their respective club/team. Once submitted, each individual will receive a confirmation email – these may not be sent out immediately, but our team will look to process confirmations twice a week. There will also be an option to include an accessibility support that may be required, such as a BSL interpreter.

This year’s event will welcome back last year’s compères Club Development Manager Amy Preston and Participation Manager Helen Coy, alongside a welcome from the University’s Director of Sport Andy Allford.

Guest presenters will also introduce each of our awards, with official photographs as well as the chance to have your own group photographs courtesy of Take That Photo.

Attendees will enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, as well as food options post-awards as well as musical entertainment from the University Music Society ensemble.

Keep an eye on the UoB Sport social channels and website for updates, as well as news of this year’s shortlisted nominees in the build-up to Thursday 30 May.

April 19, 2024April 19, 2024 Megan Jackson

A general view of the Squash court as Saurav Ghosal of Team India and Paul Coll of Team New Zealand compete in the Men's Singles Squash at University of Birmingham Hockey & Squash Centre for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Announcement

New government report credits Commonwealth Games 2022

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shared its report documenting the impact of the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.

The report shows that the Games contributed nearly £1.2 billion to the UK economy. Nearly half of that came in the West Midlands alone and created 22,380 full time equivalent years of employment.

Held between 28 July and 8 August 2022, Birmingham brought together 6,600 athletes and team officials from across 72 Commonwealth nations and territories.

The Games broke the record for ticket sales at a Commonwealth Games, with a global TV audience of 834.9m, over 215m digital views and 141m social media engagements.

It was the biggest multi-sport event in England since London 2012 and delivered the largest-ever fully integrated programme of para sport.

It was the first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men and Team England rose to the occasion and delivered their best-ever performance at the Games, winning 176 medals, 57 gold, 66 silver and 53 bronze to finish second in the medal table.

Launching the report last week at SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit, hosted at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre, the UK Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew said:

“With over 1.5 million tickets sold, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was a record-breaking event that is still having a positive impact on the region two years on.

“This report shows that hosting major sporting events in this country boosts growth, creates jobs and has a lasting social impact for communities and some of the world’s best athletes will once again descend on Birmingham for the European Athletics Championships in 2026.”

The full report can be accessed here.

April 15, 2024April 15, 2024 Phil Warrington

Oliver (Ollie) Morgan cheering with arms up in the air in the pool.

Announcement Student News

Swim scholar Ollie Morgan World’s third fastest in Olympic qualification

PATHWAY TO PARIS – Third year EDCAP scholar Ollie Morgan stunned crowds at the recent British Swimming Championships with a record-breaking swim, securing him a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ollie’s swimming journey has been one to watch, initially joining the University of Birmingham Swimming Club alongside studying Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. In his second year, Ollie was recognised for his outstanding performance in the pool and awarded an EDCAP (Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway) scholarship.

This week, Ollie became the third fastest 100m Backstroke in the world with a time of 52.70 breaking Liam Tancock’s long-standing British record. His attention will now turn to the 200m event taking place this Sunday.

Through the scholarship programme delivered by the Performance Centre, Ollie has received tailored support and access to specialist resources to help progress his swimming career to the next level.

It’s been an incredibly successful year for the swim scholar, with a number of club, University and BUCS records broken.

In April 2023, Ollie became a triple British Champion winning the 50m, 100m, and 200m Backstroke at the British Championships. From this, he then gained his first ever selection to represent Great Britain at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, securing a ninth place ranking.

At just 20 years old it has been incredible to see Ollie progress from strength to strength, with much owed to Swimming head coach Gary Humpage and his team within the UoB Swimming team.

Image: Instagram, @ollie.morgannn

Speaking on Ollie’s Paris qualification, Gary said: “We are on an incredible journey that started back in October 2021 when Ollie joined us at UOB, I could see he had an incredible talent and had many technical traits of a top class international swimmer.

“Ollie becoming triple British champion last year was an incredible achievement that has only ever been achieved once before. From that point, the Olympics was an achievable goal, and since then we have worked everyday on the details that would take us there and formulated a strategy and race plan for the trials to make the Olympic team.

“We had an idea of what it would take to win at the trials and worked on the race segments that would lead us to that time in training every session.

“To see Ollie race at the Olympic trials was incredible experience and one that I will never forget. We have an incredible team culture within UoB Swimming, the positivity of our team members has really helped in training and competition to achieve incredible results along with the superb support from our MDT team.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved. I am absolutely thrilled for Ollie to achieve what he has worked so hard for.”

April 5, 2024April 9, 2024 Phil Warrington

Gold Medallists Team England celebrate during the Women's Hockey Medal Ceremony on day ten of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at University of Birmingham Hockey & Squash Centre

Announcement Student News

Introducing ‘Pathway to Paris’ series

With all eyes turning towards this year’s summer Olympics taking place in Paris, we’re taking you with us as we showcase the role that students, coaches, alumni and the University will play this 2024.

From athlete hopefuls to media commentary, Birmingham students past and present will be hopeful of helping shape a new sporting legacy following the success of the Commonwealth Games, hosted in Birmingham back in 2022.

That’s why we’re bringing readers a new blog series PATHWAY TO PARIS as we highlight the journey that our talented sportspeople at the University are about to embark on.

The 2024 Olympics in Paris mark a historic return to the city that last hosted the Games in 1924. Coinciding with the centenary of the last Paris Games, the city is undergoing extensive preparations, revitalizing infrastructure and creating state-of-the-art venues to welcome athletes and spectators from around the globe.

Kicking off on Friday 26 July, this year’s Games will close on Sunday 11 August. Over the next few months, some of our EDCAP and Sport scholars will be taking part in competitions and qualifiers, alongside our world-class sports coaches taking international roles.

Watch this space for all the latest selection news.

With sport very much on the agenda, we caught up with University of Birmingham’s Director of Sport, Andy Allford, to preview an exciting few months building up to the Games.

Q: Andy, you’ve experienced an Olympics before first-hand, what is it like to be a part of?

A: I’ve been lucky enough to go to two Olympic Games, Beijing as a support staff member and London as an Olympic Team Leader. I was very proud to be part of TeamGB, and it can also be a strange experience as the Olympic Village is effectively a bubble! You have all of these amazing sportspeople all in one place. Your job as an Olympic Team Leader is to ensure the noise around the games doesn’t affect the athlete.

Q: How have your experiences shaped your career?

A: There was much to learn being in the High Performance system, but when sport becomes emotive, it definitely has helped me keep a cool head when the stakes are high at a Games time. The approach to Wellbeing was also useful as the basics (sleep, nutrition, etc) all aid performance at every level.

Q: Students, staff and alumni will all be involved in Paris, what role is Birmingham playing on the international sport stage? And what are you most excited about?

Birmingham has a rich history in sport, being the first UK institution to introduce a sports-based degree option for students back in the 1940s. Since then, we have been at the forefront of perfomance and research, culminating in the Commonwealth Games two years ago – where athletes, coaches and University staff all experienced the work that goes into hosting a global, multi-sport event.

TeamGB Pursuit Cyclist Paul Manning, now involved in the backroom staff is one of our most prolific Olympians alongside numerous graduate hockey players to name a few. We’re also a world-class facility, hosting the legendary Team Jamaica two weeks prior to the 2012 London Olympics, before they went on to win 12 medals!

I am most excited about seeing how our students and alumni all get on in Paris. To be involved is an achievement in itself, and everyone at UoB Sport will be cheering them on all the way!

April 5, 2024April 9, 2024 Phil Warrington

Sports Awards glass trophies, with squash winning National Team of the Year.

Announcement Student News

Nominations now open for Sports Awards 2024

All 2023/24 students can now nominate individuals, clubs, coaches and recreational teams across 13 categories celebrating their sporting successes at this year’s University of Birmingham Sports Awards.

Open from 28 February, nominations are now open and will close on Thursday 28 March giving students one month to put forward nominees across a range of categories.

This year’s Sports Awards, taking place on the evening of Thursday 30 May at the Brammall Music Building, will recognise all levels of sporting achievements from our volunteers to our elite athlete scholars.

Categories include:

Campus League Team of the Year
The Campus League Team of the Year award aims to recognise and celebrate the teams that best embody the Campus League ethos of participation, good sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game.

NOMINATE HERE

Coach of the Year (non-student)
For an individual who is regarded as having made the most outstanding contribution to club sport through their role as a coach.

NOMINATE HERE

Coach of the Year (student)
This award aims to recognise current students who are regarded as having made the most outstanding contribution to club sport through their role as a coach, working closely with their club committee to direct the development of the club and support members’ personal and performance development.

NOMINATE HERE

Club of the Year
This award is based on the overall success of a club across a number of areas. This can include – but is not limited to – committee and/or performance achievements, developments and innovation within the club, member engagement and connection with the wider sporting community both in- and external to the university.

NOMINATE HERE

Full Blues
Awarded to those individuals that have competed internationally at a senior championship.

NOMINATE HERE

ED&I Award
This award acknowledges and celebrates the diversity and inclusion of sport within our clubs.

NOMINATE HERE

Half Blues
Awarded to those who have achieved either a BUCS individual medal or a BUCS Team Championship gold medal during the 2022-23 academic year.

NOMINATE HERE

National Team of the Year
Aims to recognise and highlight the stand-out successes of a select number of our University teams that compete on a national level within BUCS.

NOMINATE HERE

Outstanding Contribution
Celebrates outstanding contribution made by an individual towards the continued improvement of UoB Sport & Fitness and the instances in which they have gone beyond expectations.

NOMINATE HERE

Sport Colours
Sport Colours are non-performance-based and awarded to individuals based on a member’s contribution beyond their established role, going over and above for their club or for sport across the University.

NOMINATE HERE

Sports Person of the Year
This is the highest individual accolade awarded by the University of Birmingham, in recognition and celebration of the very highest sporting level.

NOMINATE HERE

Regional Team of the Year
Aims to celebrate the achievements of some of our stand out University teams that compete on a regional level within BUCS.

NOMINATE HERE

Volunteer of the Year
This Award recognises individuals who have committed themselves to a cause, activity, or event for the greater good of their club, University, or wider community.

NOMINATE HERE

With more than 200 people in attendance last year – including the Vice Chancellor and Principal of University of Birmingham Adam Tickell – we’re hoping to make this year’s event even bigger with a selection of arrival drinks, food options and post-event entertainment.

February 28, 2024March 7, 2024 Phil Warrington

Umpires and the University of Birmingham Performance Team group photo.

Announcement

UoB Sport Performance host Olympic Preparation Camp for Hockey Umpires

UoB Sport Performance host Paris Olympic Preparation Camp for Hockey Umpires.

Earlier this month our Performance Centre team collaborated with the National Programme Umpiring Association to host an Olympic Preparation Camp for four Hockey Umpires who have been selected to officiate the Paris Olympics this summer.

Among the Umpires selected for the Games is UoB Alumna Hannah Harrison (formerly Hannah Sanders), who graduated from the University back in 2006 from the School of Economics.

Hannah reflects on how it feels to be selected for the prestigious Olympic Games:

‘It really is a dream come true for me, it’s something I’ve worked really hard for the past 15 years to achieve’.

Watch the full interview here

During the camp, our Performance Team delivered content across a number of key areas:

Dr Sue Jones (Sports Psychologist) covered the psychological pressures of officiating under the scrutiny of elite teams, crowds and the media.

Mike Gosling (Physiokinetic) showcased physical movement screening and biomechanical interventions.

David Sheldon (SportExR/UBSport Exercise Physiologist) presented heat acclimatisation and cooling strategies.

Luke Gunn, Head of Performance who helped to deliver the camp says:

‘We were delighted to be able to assist the NPUA and the wonderful four GB Umpires who will officiate in Paris this summer.

Just as the athletes need to be at peak performance at the Olympics, as do all the officials for whom this is also the pinnacle of their sport. We were honoured to be able to share our expertise to aid their preparations.’

The Camp aimed to cover the physical, mental and nutrition aspects required of umpires to ensure they are on optimum form for the Games. Hannah found the content extremely valuable, saying:

‘I feel incredibly lucky that the family of the University of Birmingham have welcomed me back, and that I’ve been able to access such great facilities and some real experts’.

February 19, 2024February 19, 2024 Megan Jackson

Three women from Rugby team taking diagnostic swab out of packaging, with BBC videographer filming.

Announcement

BBC Sport cover ‘ground-breaking’ concussion research in Women’s Rugby

Last month, we had a visit from BBC Sport and Marker Diagnostics as part of their ongoing research into concussion testing on female Rugby players. Marker Diagnostics is an emerging biotech company that was founded in 2016 following pioneering concussion research conducted at our university.

The test involves a simple mouth swab to collect saliva samples, which can then detect biomarkers for concussion.

After collaborating with the Rugby Football Union in the elite men’s competitions last year, Marker is now collaborating with Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) to validate the existing test in women, with evidence suggesting that effects of concussion may be more severe in women.

BBC Sport Correspondent Katie Gornall interviewed members of our Women’s Rugby Union club during their early morning training session on the pitch. Many members of the club had already taken part in the ground-breaking saliva swab test and noted that the test was ‘easy, quick and efficient.’

Watch the behind-the-scenes clips of the club’s morning with the BBC.

‘Being a part of the progression it feels really good, especially seeing the difference between when I started and now. There’s so much input going into it now which is really important for the women’s game’

Jemima Moss, University of Birmingham Rugby and former Worcester Warriors

As part of the research, BBC Sport also interviewed Former Rugby Union wing and University Alumna Kat Merchant, who last September was inducted into our University of Birmingham Sport Hall of Fame for her incredible achievements across her sporting career.

During her time playing rugby, Kat experienced over 30 concussions, stating:

‘There are some really, really dark times with it, because you don’t know what’s normal any more’.

Watch the BBC Sport Interview.

This highlights the importance of concussion testing within higher-risk sports to help better understand the signs and symptoms. It’s estimated that up to 80% of people experiencing concussions aren’t diagnosed.

February 16, 2024March 7, 2024 Megan Jackson

University of Birmingham running at the BUCS Cross Country run.

Announcement Events Student News

Record breaking medal haul at BUCS Cross Country

Record-breaking BUCS Cross Country medal haul

University of Birmingham Athletics made history with the highest-ever medal haul by any institution at this weekend’s BUCS Cross Country Championships.

The record-breaking weekend saw the Athletics Club beat their 2022 record of ten medals thanks to eight individual medals and five team medals at Temple Newsam in Leeds.

To strengthen their dominance, Birmingham won three of the four team titles with three out of four individual wins available.

The team took its largest ever cohort with 150 competitors across the event supported by staff and alumni.

The Cross County Championships host four races across short and long distance for Men’s and Women’s competitors. In each race, there are individual medals and team medals at stake.

Birmingham post-graduate scholar and GB representative Amelia Quirk claimed her first-ever BUCS title in style, winning her race by a massive 36 seconds.

The Men’s Team completed the first-ever podium sweep at the Championships in BUCS history, with third-year sports scholar Will Barnicoat winning his first ever BUCS individual Gold.

His teammates Tomer Tarragano, a third-year Chemistry undergraduate, and Ollie Smart completed the podium with an unprecedented 1-2-3.

With the Long Distance results contributing to the University’s overall BUCS points, the Athletics Club bought home 72 points, bettering last year’s haul by 30 points.

Posting on Instagram, Luke Gunn, Head of Performance and Athletics, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of what we produced this weekend!

“This team has a culture where every athlete looks out for their teammates and coaches that continually go above and beyond to make sure each athlete has the best experience.

“This weekend was truly special and one I feel we will be talking about for many years to come!”

See a summary of the results below:

Men’s – Long
Will Barnicoat – GOLD
Tomer Tarragano- SILVER
Ollie Smart – BRONZE
Team – GOLD
+ Tyler Bilyard, Mike Ward & Noah Campion

Women’s – Long
Amelia Quirk – GOLD
Team – SILVER
+ Elisha Tait, Elsa Palmer & Kate Willis

Men’s – Short
Elliot Moran – SILVER
Sam Burkitt – BRONZE
Team – GOLD
+ Fin Ward & Ethan O’Shea

Women’s – Short
Charlotte Alexander – GOLD
Rosie Hamilton-James – SILVER
Team – GOLD
+ Rose Chesterfield
& Team – BRONZE
+ Freya Stapleton, Zoe Hunter & Hannah Seager

Next up, sports scholars Tomer Tarragano, Tyler Bilyard, Charlotte Alexander and Elsa Palmer will represent Great Britain at the World University Cross Country CHampions in Oman on 17 February, with the BUCS Indoor Championships taking place on 23-25 February in Sheffield.

February 5, 2024March 7, 2024 Phil Warrington

Announcement Student News

Sports Awards 2024 | Save the date this 30 May

Sports Awards 2024 | Save the date 30 May

The University of Birmingham Sport will celebrate the achievements of its 2023/24 sporting stars at this year’s coveted Sports Awards 2024 taking place on the evening of Thursday 30 May.

Returning once again to the decadence of the Brammall Music Building, athletes, coaches and students can now add the date to their sporting calendar ahead of the annual event.

This year sees 13 categories open for nominations, of which details will be announced in the coming weeks, with the full list of categories including:

Campus League Team of the Year
Coach of the Year (non-student)
Coach of the Year (student)
Club of the Year
Full Blues
Half Blues
National Team of the Year
Outstanding Contribution
ED&I Award
Sport Colours
Sports Person of the Year
Regional Team of the Year
Volunteer of the Year

The Sports Awards 2023 recognised all levels of sporting achievements from our volunteers to our elite athlete scholars.

Standouts included; Athletics scooping Club of the Year for their impressive BUCS points contribution; Hockey Women’s 4s named as Regional Team of the Year for their treble winning season; Cheerleading awarded with Outstanding Contribution supporting wider UOB events; and the Sailing Club acknowledged with the PRIDE Award helping to reduce cost barrier for its members.

Andy Allford, Director of Sport at University of Birmingham, said: “Sport remains a key part of student life for many during their time at Birmingham and it’s important we continue to take the time to celebrate achievements at every level.

“It’s always one of my favourite nights of the year and over the years, we’ve been able to widen the recognition and status of our sporting stars across the University. We’re already looking forward to reading through each nomination and coming together this May to celebrate in style.”

With a number of guest presenters from roles across the University, keep an eye out across University of Birmingham Sport social media channels and our weekly Sports Desk newsletter – which covers all our BUCS highlights each week – for further details.

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024 Phil Warrington

Announcement

Birmingham Ivy League Exchange 2024

An earthquake, storm, and the experience of a lifetime

Taking wins back home!

A Journey Across Four Universities

Sharing his experience, Luke Gunn – UoB Sport Head of Performance – said:

Secure your tickets for Sports Awards 2024

New government report credits Commonwealth Games 2022

Swim scholar Ollie Morgan World’s third fastest in Olympic qualification

Introducing ‘Pathway to Paris’ series

Nominations now open for Sports Awards 2024

UoB Sport Performance host Paris Olympic Preparation Camp for Hockey Umpires.

BBC Sport cover ‘ground-breaking’ concussion research in Women’s Rugby

Record-breaking BUCS Cross Country medal haul

Sports Awards 2024 | Save the date 30 May

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