Another encouraging weekend of World and European Cup action for British Bobsleigh & Skeleton athletes

British Skeleton ace Laura Deas backed up her maiden BMW ISBF World Cup win with a fourth-placed finish in Winterberg on Friday. University of Bath student Dom Parsons, pictured, was seventh in the men's event and there were some strong finishes on the bobsleigh circuits during another encouraging weekend for British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association athletes. Deas, fresh from topping the podium in Altenberg in the opening race of the season, was again in the mix in...

07 December 2015

Five-try Amy Wilson Hardy helps England Women to top-three finish in Dubai Sevens

Five tries from University of Bath graduate Amy Wilson Hardy helped England Women finish third overall in the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens. The Bristol RFC centre, who completed her Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering course in the summer, made a flying start to the tournament as she ran in a hat-trick of tries in a 35-0 win over Japan. A 14-7 victory against Spain ensured England qualified for the quarter-finals, despite a 24-7 defeat to...

06 December 2015

Judoka Gemma Gibbons wins historic bronze medal at Tokyo Grand Slam

University of Bath graduate Gemma Gibbons became the first British woman ever to medal at the year-ending Tokyo Grand Slam as she won a superb bronze on Sunday. The London 2012 Olympic silver-medallist, who studied Sports Performance, twice produced exciting comeback victories before defeating home favourite Ruika Sato in the -78kg bronze-medal match. “I am really pleased with that result,” said Gibbons. “I have always dreamt of getting a Tokyo Grand Slam medal and today I...

06 December 2015

Hat-trick of golds for aspiring bobsleigh and skeleton Youth Olympians

The Great Britain Bobsleigh and Skeleton teams enjoyed a fantastic Friday as they helped themselves to a hat-trick of gold medals at the latest round of qualifying for February's Youth Olympics. Kelsea Purchall took top spot in the women's mono-bob and George Johnston followed suit in the men's field, while Ashleigh Pittaway led the way in the women's skeleton in Igls, Austria. It was a second success in three races for World number one Purchall after...

05 December 2015

Silver lining for Alexandra Rickham at Para World Sailing Championships

University of Bath graduate Alexandra Rickham won a medal at the Para World Sailing Championships for the seventh successive year as she and Niki Birrell claimed SKUD silver in Australia. Rickham and Birrell, who won bronze medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, finished runners-up to defending champions Liesl Tesch and Dan Fitzgibbon of Australia despite having equipment issues during the 11 days of competition in Melbourne. “We sailed over some weed on day two...

04 December 2015

Exciting mix of experience and potential as Team Bath Netball name 2016 Superleague squad

Team Bath Netball have named an “exciting and dynamic” squad for the 2016 Vitality Netball Superleague season, blending international and Superleague experience with some of the sport’s most promising young players. Captained by England star Eboni Beckford-Chambers, the squad of 15 includes five players who shone at this year’s Netball World Cup and seven who have previously won Superleague titles in the famous Blue and Gold. Remaining in the squad from 2015 are England defender...

03 December 2015

European Short-Course gold for Jazz Carlin and bronze for birthday boy Andrew Willis in Israel

Jazz Carlin claimed Great Britain’s first gold medal and Chemical Engineering graduate Andrew Willis won bronze on his 25th birthday during an excellent day for University of Bath-based swimmers at the LEN European Short-Course Championships. World champions Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Chris Walker-Hebborn also booked their places in Friday’s finals as the British Swimming team – led by National Centre Bath Head Coach Dave McNulty – continued to impress in Israel. Carlin’s gold – the first...

03 December 2015

Tennis programme hailed as Avon LTA name University of Bath as Education Venue of the Year

The University of Bath has been named as Education Venue of the Year by the Avon Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). The award recognises the outstanding work by Team Bath Tennis coaches in enhancing the student experience at the University and taking the sport into primary and secondary schools throughout the region. Head of Club Coaching Matt Smith, who received the award on behalf of the University, said the two-tier coaching programme had engaged around 200...

03 December 2015

Rugby student Sydney Gregson helps England Women’s XV to exciting win over Canada

University of Bath rugby player Sydney Gregson helped England Women’s National Academy side record a last-gasp win over Canada in a 12-try thriller on Tuesday. The Sport Performance student, who is supported by a Trendell Sports Scholarship, played at full-back as England’s development team touched down twice in the last ten minutes to seal a 37-29 victory at Esher RFC. Gregson, who had a key role in the decisive last-minute try, was one of a number...

02 December 2015

Team JST show Strength in Depth to retain European fitness title at University of Bath

This year’s Strength in Depth European Final at the University of Bath saw Wigan-based Team JST fight off the competition and win the title for the second year in a row. After two days of intense competition, watched by hundreds of spectators at the Sports Training Village, the field of 40 teams was whittled down to just 11 who would contest the final. The final, broken down into three heats, consisted of six fitness challenges completed as...

02 December 2015