July
Newcastle in premier league of universities
Staff and students are celebrating after Newcastle came tenth in the national BUCS rankings for higher education.
The University has sprinted four places ahead of its position last year with a series of excellent performances in more than 40 sports and remains among the top sporting universities in the UK.Performance Sport Manager Fraser Kennedy said: “To come in tenth out of 150 institutions is absolutely brilliant. This is undoubtedly our best performance since the league came in to play and it is really difficult to make the top 10. It has been an incredible year for sport at Newcastle. I am really proud of all the students - who work so hard to combine their studies with taking part in sport at a high level - and our dedicated coaches.”
This position also puts Newcastle in fifth position in terms of our Russell Group comparators just behind Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Nottingham.
Fraser said: “We have had some absolutely outstanding individual and team performances this year. Our rowers have been brilliant, as have our canoe, hockey, lacrosse, women’s rugby and squash teams to name but a few.
“Even in areas which didn’t count towards the league position, our athletes have excelled: a fifth consecutive record-breaking win over Northumbria in the Stan Calvert cup; Dorian Walker becoming a world champion in acrobatics; and the women’s rowers who were the only UK university team to qualify for the elite women’s race at the Henley Regatta.
“It isn’t easy being a student and combining passion for your sport with your university work. It takes real drive and commitment and I think that should be recognised. We do a lot of work to support the students; to make them physically and mentally prepared for the challenges taking part in sport can bring and to guide them on time management.
“Newcastle is an excellent university and by being good at sport we can contribute to the University’s Mission Statement and enhance the student experience significantly along with playing a greater role in student recruitment.”
Professor Charles Harvey, Pro–Vice Chancellor with responsibility for sport said: “The league placing tops off a fantastic year for sport at Newcastle University. I would like to thank all the students who have performed so well at their chosen sport and to our sports staff, who have supported them throughout. This is a tremendous achievement, well done.”
published on: 27 July 2012