Basketball Team Are National Champions

A basketball team featuring University of Wolverhampton students is celebrating after being named league champions.

The Black Country University of Wolverhampton Men’s team are National League Division 3 champions.

They beat London Towers in the final 79 – 75. The team is a mixture of University students and players from the local community.

The team were runners up in the Division three (North) regular season. They overcame Brixton Topcats 90 – 78 in the quarter finals and beat Cardiff Celts in the semi finals 88 – 82 to set up the final against the Towers.

The team rose from the ashes of the Walsall Wizards who played in National League Division 3. At the suggestion of Nick O’Leary, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in PE and England Basketball Senior Coach, the Wizards joined forces with the University. In the next two seasons, coached by Nick, the team made good progress in Division 3, reaching the play offs last season.

Nick O’Leary said: “This season coached by Tony Simms, an ex England international and current PE student, the team has gone from strength to strength culminating in the honour of being crowned National Champions. We expect the team to play in National League Division 2 next season.”

Meanwhile, Black Country basketball club also has a women’s National League team who play in Division 2. The ladies also made the play offs this season but were defeated in the semi finals by UWIC Stealers 74 – 55. It is hoped the Athletic Union can support this team in the future and provide a stable financial footing to allow it to develop still further.

And in other news, the Wolverhampton Rhinos, who play National League Division 1 wheelchair basketball, are playing at the University next year and will become part of the Black Country Club. The team also plays European Super League basketball and contains several international players.

Nick O’Leary said: “I am in discussion to bring some of these players to the University to study various degrees and assist with their playing careers.”

The Black Country Club is hosting a summer basketball camp at the University’s Walsall campus for 11 – 18 year olds to improve basketball in the area and further develop the relationship between the local community and the University. The event will take place between Tuesday, August 28 and Saturday, September 1. For details contact Nick O’Leary on 01922 692115.

A Successful Season for the University of Northampton's Golf Team

Photo Caption: The University of Northampton’s student golf team: (From left to right) Rob Charter, Mark Harrington, John Dexter, Matty Landers and Captain, Shaun Carway are presented with £1,000 from Vice Chancellor, Ann Tate.

After a successful season, the golf team at The University of Northampton were presented with £1,000 from the University in recognition of their outstanding sporting achievements.

The team, made up of students Shaun Carway, Matty Landers, John Dexter, Rob Charter, Adam Tarbox and Mark Harrington, finished second in their regional league qualifying them for the national knock-out. Their success continued as they progressed through three rounds of the national knock-out, beating regional league winners, Bournemouth. This victory meant they were invited to compete at the national final, which was recently held at Hoylake Royal Liverpool, last year’s venue for the British Open.

Captain, Shaun Carway, said: “This donation is a great recognition of the team’s achievements. In the four years I have been playing for the University golf team, we are the only University team that have reached a national final.”

“Five members of the team, including myself, will be graduating this year, so this was a memorable send-off for all of us.”

There are currently 25 competitive sports teams at the University and 20 societies ranging from the RSPCA society to the Ski and Snowboard society.

New Martial Arts Festival at The University of Wolverhampton

International martial arts experts will be putting youngsters through their paces and searching for the next generation of champions at a new festival at the University of Wolverhampton.

Children from across Wolverhampton and Walsall have been invited to join top specialists and instructors in martial arts including Karate, Judo, Tae kwon do, Ju Jitsu and Aikido. It is the first time the Martial Arts Festival has been held and the organisers are hoping it will be a big success.

The event is for children aged nine and above and will take place at the University’s Walsall Campus Sports Hall on Sunday, May 13. The children can be complete beginners or have some experience of martial arts.

Participants will be able to watch demonstrations from the different martial arts styles and take part in workshops aimed at honing their skills.

Dr. Josh Johnson, 7th Dan, national karate coach, chief instructor and University governor, said: “It is great that so many first class specialists, top fighters and international instructors have come together for the benefit of the wider community.
“This event is a real and unique learning experience for youngsters which can start to develop the next generation of champions, coaches and super stars."

He said: “National reputations in the martial arts are not common but the Black Country has a strong and enviable tradition of producing some of the very best national fighters, competitors and world class champions.
“Events like this will ensure that history is repeated. The link up between the University and the different schools of martial arts is an exciting partnership.”

The event is sponsored by the Active Volunteers programme, which allows University staff and students to gain new skills and valuable experience by undertaking voluntary work with the local community.

The festival will run from 10.30am until 4pm. There are still places available, for further details contact Nico Kolokythas on 0784 5572694 or turn up on the day with a parent/guardian for registration.

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