Tuesday 23-08-2016 - 13:45

Lancaster University has provided an £83,500 sports coaching and development fund for the 2016/17 season, following some excellent performances last year.

The university’s ‘Sport Lancaster+’ clubs competing in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues will be eligible to apply for money for coaching and extra competitions.

It also means that five ‘focus sports’ – badminton, fencing, hockey, netball and rugby union - will be able to bid for additional coaching, strength and conditioning training and physiotherapy sessions.

Extra funding was dedicated to the focus sports for the first time last year, and the teams have already seen an increase in performance. Lancaster’s badminton players enjoyed particular success, with both men’s teams gaining promotion and winning the Northern Conference Cup and the women’s team narrowly missing promotion to the top flight.

Lancaster University Badminton Club president Nathan Stewart said: “Without the Focus Sport status we would not have a culture of commitment and competition within our players. We are not only competing for ourselves but also the wider sporting community in Lancaster.”

The funding will give an additional boost to Lancaster teams as they seek an away win in the annual Roses Tournament – the annual sporting clash with University of York.

Lancaster University Students’ Union Vice-President (Activities) Jack Walker said: “We’re very grateful to the university for their continued investment in sport at Lancaster. This money will help our teams to develop even further, and I hope we’ll see another year of progress in the performance of our teams. Last year’s roses win was our biggest ever, and I hope we can follow last year’s success  with the away win that has eluded us for more than 30 years.”

Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Provost said "It is great to see the enthusiasm and dedication of all our student athletes giving a real buzz to sport on campus. I am looking forward to another fabulous year of achievements in BUCS leagues and Roses and to the continuing increase in participation in all sports. "

Interested in getting involved in sport at Lancaster? You can find out more information on our website.