Despite the recent announcement that all British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) was to be postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 2019/20 season will still go down as UCFB’s most successful to date.

In what can only be described as a truly astounding year, six of UCFB’s nine football teams were crowned league champions, two finished as runners-up, and the Etihad Campus’ women’s team finished fifth.

Elsewhere, our futsal, basketball and netball teams all earned top-five place finishes, whilst the tennis, and dual-campus darts teams also enjoyed respectable campaigns.

As a result of our teams’ outstanding performances throughout the season, UCFB has officially entered the top 100 rankings across all BUCS sport for the very first time.

If that wasn’t an achievement in itself, UCFB is also now ranked the fifth best institution in BUCS men’s football, 12th in BUCS football overall, and 25th in BUCS women’s football.

Reflecting on a historic year, Mike Heald, Sports & Enrichment Coordinator at UCFB Etihad Campus, said: “It has been a truly remarkable and unprecedented season for us. In all honesty, given the success of last season, we weren’t expecting a repeat. However, all of the sports teams have excelled themselves to help push us further up the BUCS table.”

When quizzed about the season, he said: “The men’s academy enjoying an undefeated league season to claim back-to-back promotions, reaching the Etihad Campus’ first ever BUCS cup final, plus the men’s second team earning their third league title in a row are definitely my personal highlights.”

He added: “It has been the most enjoyable of BUCS seasons where we have seen success both on and off the pitch with our ever growing media teams. I would just like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved, especially our players, coaches, staff and media volunteers that have truly made this season the best we have experienced at UCFB to date.”

Elsewhere, Jay Welsh, Sports Coordinator at UCFB Wembley, commented: “It’s been another exciting campaign for our AU Sports teams and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Our teams have shone this season, before, during, and after their matches.

“They have demonstrated tremendous professionalism when representing UCFB this year, and I would like to thank all players, coaches and media volunteers for all of the hard work and determination that they’ve displayed throughout that time. Here’s to another successful season next year!”

UCFB’s 2019/20 season in summary (all sports)

  • Entered BUCS’ top 100 rankings across all sport for the first time
  • Finished in BUCS’ top 15 rankings for football
  • Finished in BUCS’ top five rankings for men’s football
  • Finished 25th in BUCS’ rankings for women’s football

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