Institute golfers win USA battle

Golfers from our partners Myerscough College have retained the Mike O'Keefe Collegiate Ryder Cup after a thrilling contest against Ohio State University.

Ten students and two staff travelled to Columbus to compete in the second playing of the tournament and returned home victorious after a 6.5 – 5.5 win. The event brings together Ohio State University's Professional Golf Management Programme and the UCLanSport/Myerscough International Institute for Golf Education (IIGE) Partnership.

In addition to playing two competitive rounds at the Collegiate home of Jack Nicklaus, the Scarlet Course, the students were treated to watching the final round of The Memorial Tournament, one of The PGA Tour's premier events, held at Murfield Village Golf and Country Club.

They also played a further five rounds of golf, including at prestigious venues such as Scioto Country Club and the Firestone Golf and Country Club. The group also toured the University's 105,000 capacity American Football Stadium, watched a Columbus Clippers baseball game and visited Jack Nicklaus Museum.

A replica of the real Ryder Cup was made for the event and presented to Myerscough at the end of the contest. It's hoped the competition will be held annually, with Myerscough aiming to host Ohio next year to defend their crown.

Stuart Priestley, Course Leader for Golf Management, commented: "We've tried for a number of years to get this event off the ground and we're delighted to have finally now completed two tournaments.

"Ohio have been formally invited to return to UK next year to take on Team Myerscough to defend our title on home soil, and we'll hopefully be making the event an annual fixture in both our academic calendars - a superb addition to our already extensive provision of enrichment activities we already offer."

For more information about The International Institute for Golf Education (IIGE) please click here. To view a selection of pictures from the trip please click here.

UCLan students help England to Four Nations win

UCLanSport students Joe Gilpin and Aaron Hall enjoyed international success as England Universities retained their University Rugby League Four Nations title in emphatic fashion.

England began the tournament with a comfortable victory against Scotland, before coming from behind to defeat hosts Ireland. A final day success against Wales ensured England remained undefeated to secure their second successive title.

Head Coach Colin Baker was delighted to see his first Four Nations end in victory: "Everyone involved with the squad is over the moon to have come away winning the tournament," he said. "A lot of hard work on and off the field went into this and it's been outstanding to see us retain the title.

"It was my first involvement in the student game in an international tournament and I thought the playing standard was great. It was a really competitive tournament over the three days it was played and it was good to be a part of it and to come away as the champions."

Joe Gilpin added: "It was a huge achievement to win the Four Nations against tough opposition with a great bunch of lads and excellent coaching staff, and the experience is something I'll never forget."

UCLanSport Volunteers of the Year 2015

Five students have been rewarded for their volunteering efforts after being crowned UCLanSport Volunteers of the Year 2015.

Lauren Shrewsbury, Jason Seddon, Brian Tendo, Sam Hough, Joe Scargill and Nathan Lockwood were recognised for their commitment and contribution to society through volunteering at the recent Centre for Volunteering & Community Leadership Awards.

Congratulations and thank you for your efforts from everyone at UCLanSport.

Success for Cycling team at BUCS Championships

UCLan Cycling enjoyed a productive weekend at the BUCS Track Championship 2015 held at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

Ryan Whatmough (left), James Claydon and Chris Nicholson secured Bronze in the Men's Team Sprint after a hard-fought race against Strathclyde.

Whatmough also won Silver in the Men's Individual Sprint and Men's Points Race, while Claydon picked up Silver in the Men's Elimination Race.

For more information about the BUCS Cycling programme please click here.

Lancashire Rising Star Fund

UCLanSport and Lancashire Sport Partnership have joined forces once again to offer a cash boost to young sporting hopefuls from across the region.

The Lancashire Rising Star Fund gives young athletes the opportunity to receive a grant to cover costs such as travel, accommodation, training, competition fees and equipment.

On average athletes and their families can spend in excess of £5,000 per year on equipment, training, travelling and other essentials required to compete at the top level in many sports.

Each grant recipient will receive a package of support from UCLan that includes strength and conditioning services, nutritional advice and support and access to UCLan sports and training facilities.

For more information about the scheme and how to apply please click here.

Star athlete leads UCLan's first Color Fun Run

Olympic and Commonwealth athlete Helen Clitheroe led more than 300 people in a fun run that turned Preston into a rainbow of colours.

The first ever UCLan Color Fun saw participants young and old run 5km at UCLan Sports Arena while being showered with brightly coloured powder along the route.

The idea behind the inaugural event was to inspire people of all abilities to get active in a fun and relaxed way.

Helen, who is also a UCLan Honorary Fellow, commented: "I've really enjoyed starting the Color Fun run at UCLan Sports Arena. It's a great cause and great to get people running and having fun at the same time."

The Arena teamed up with cancer charity Marie Curie for the event, with runners raising more than £1,000. Sarah Fletcher, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Lancashire, said: "We'd like to say a huge thank you to everybody at UCLan who organised this event to raise money for Marie Curie.

"It was an absolute pleasure to come along and meet many of the organisers and runners on the day - we had such a brilliant time, even though we did return home yellow.

"All the money raised from the Color Fun run will help Marie Curie provide expert care, guidance and support to help people with a terminal illness, and their families, get the most from the time they have left.

"Locally, Marie Curie Nurses work night and day, in people’s homes across Lancashire, providing hands-on care and vital emotional support. Seven out of 10 carers say that people with a terminal illness do not get all the care and support they need.

"As the UK's leading charity for people living with any terminal illness, Marie Curie doesn't think that is good enough and that is why your support is so important to us. Thank you."

It's the first time Preston has ever held a race like this and organisers from UCLan Sports Arena say they're already looking forward to running it again.

Organiser and Sports Motivator Sam Cadwallader said: "The event was a great success and we're delighted that Helen Clitheroe has lent her support to our first ever UCLan Color Fun run. Hopefully this has motivated a lot of local people to stay fit and active."

To view images from the event please click here.

UCLanSport supports This Girl Can

UCLanSport introduced a range of additional activities to our sports facilities this week in support of the #ThisGirlCan and #ThisBUCSGirlCan social media campaigns.

The week has been a great success, with Sir Tom Finnney Sports Centre staging netball tournaments, women's only gym sessions and badminton tournaments which attracted participants in their hundreds.

Our social media channels became a hive of activity during the week with photos and comments on both the additional and regular activities including Zumba, Legs Bums and Tums classes, and Bootcamps.

The release of our This Girl Can video (above) has resulted in a dramatic increase in student engagement and promoted female participation in UCLan's sports activities.

The week's events created a massive buzz amongst UCLan staff and students - we are proud to be involved and champion female participation in sport and physical activity.