Cardiff University has achieved its highest ever UK ranking for competing in individual and team sports, according to a major UK sporting league table.
Cardiff University is ranked the 12th best University in the UK in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) annual league table, and the highest ranked University in Wales.
The annual league table scores each University according to how well their students have competed and performed in individual and team sports throughout the year.
Cardiff University’s Head of Sport, Stuart Vanstone said: “The overall ranking of 12th in the British University and Colleges Sport framework – up three places from last year – is evidence of the significant developments that have taken place in developing sport at the University.
“Our investment in better facilities, coaching and sport club support has resulted in better performance on the field. The ranking indicates our performance in a diverse range of sports from the more traditional university sports of Football, Rugby and Hockey to sports like Ultimate Frisbee, Korfball and Snooker.”
The new league rankings cap a good year for sport and sporting facilities at Cardiff University. World-famous footballers will be preparing for the Olympic Games in the Welsh capital after Cardiff University was confirmed as an official London 2012 training venue for the sport.
Teams from around the world will have access to Games-time training at the University’s playing fields in Llanrumney, using the site for their final preparations in the preliminary rounds of the Olympic football tournament.
Elite boxers from around the world will also be welcomed following the decision by the International Boxing Association to hold its final Olympic preparation training camp at the University’s Sports Training Village. Leading up to the 2012 Games in London, more than 100 selected boxers and coaches will be based at the University for their ‘Road to London’ preliminary training camp programmes.
Young footballers from around the world have also descended on the city and Cardiff University this week (25th – 29th July) to take part in The Welsh Super Cup which is taking place at the Cardiff University Sports Fields in Llanrumney.
Teams from countries around the world including the USA, India and Dubai, will compete in the event in a number of categories from under-7’s to open-age. In total, around 4000 boys and girls, women and men are expected to take part with approximately 40,000 spectators attending over the course of the event.
Stuart adds: “The University’s High Performance Programme which supports athletes competing at a National or International level has benefitted from enhanced services and the students in which the department support have had a successful year for the university and the sporting frameworks they also compete in.
“From our students competing in the Ashes series in Australia to international kayaking events – we can be proud of our sporting success.”
BUCS is the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK, which works with student athletes, athletic union staff and elected officers as well as professional sporting staff, coaches and volunteers at some 157 UK universities.
Cardiff University’s Athletic Union President Jack Perkins said: “I want to thank all of the students who have taken part in sport clubs and activity this year. We have over 4000 members of the sport clubs at the university.
“Sport plays a big part in a student’s experience whilst at University and the commitment and enthusiasm they have shown this year has proven to be beneficial with the announcement of the final BUCS ranking.
“I am sure the success will continue next year and the momentum can carry on and we progress up the ranking table.”
The Final BUCS Overall Championship points table for 2010-11 is available at: www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=14688§ionTitle=BUCS+overall+points+league+table
