UCLan cricket on the rise

UCLan's cricket teams are looking to build on a successful 2012/13 season.

After a third placed finish in a six-a-side indoor tournament held at Yorkshire CCC's Headingly facility, our first team followed up by winning the BUCS Northern 2A Division during the outdoor season.

Chairman Alex Renshaw believes the club is set for another good year: "Our first team won promotion losing just one game all season and while we've seen some very good players leave us we're hoping to be more than competitive once again.

"Our second team struggled a little bit last year, but our aim this time is for them to challenge for promotion. We plan to submit at least two teams into the outdoor league and we would like to stress we accept players of all ability levels.

"The motto we like to go by is if you commit to the club by attending training and our social events you'll play."

Training is held on Friday evenings between 8-10 pm at Myerscough College from 4 October. For further information please email Alex.

BUCS Trials 2013/14

UCLan has released details of "Trials Wednesday" for students looking to try out for the University's BUCS teams. A total of 17 different sports are represented including Badminton, Netball, Basketball, Rugby and Football.

Trials Wednesday is on September 25 from 12-6pm at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and UCLan Sports Arena. UCLan Rams American Football team held their trials on Sunday and will train for the first time this evening (pick-up from outside SU Essentials at 7pm).

For further details on all the trials please click here.

UCLan Tennis targets success

UCLan Tennis Club is aiming for a successful 2013/14.

The club currently runs three teams – two mens and one ladies – and are hoping to attract more members ahead of the new BUCS season.

Tennis Chairman Robert Henson outlined the club's plans: "Last year was poor on the men’s side with both teams suffering relegation. However, we are hopeful that the first team will be much stronger this year and could push for promotion. For the ladies we would hope to remain in Division 2A as we've lost a few players.

"This year we are offering more in terms of social play and alternatives to traditional tennis. There will still be Monday club nights at UCLan Sports Arena from 5pm onwards, with free coaching 6-7pm and equipment provided.

"On Tuesdays we will be offering Cardio tennis alternating with Touch tennis in conjunction with Sport4U from 7-8pm at the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, while on Wednesdays there will be team training indoors at South Ribble.

"It’s just £20 to join on the Students Union website and an extra £25 for BUCS membership in order to play in the teams. Club Socials will be every other Wednesday and we’re also hoping to offer our members hoodies at only £10."

Anyone interested in joining the club can attend the Sports Fair on 20 September at 53 Degrees or email Robert for more details. Details of UCLan's 'Trials Wednesday' can be found here.

UCLan teams up with Preston Swimming Club

UCLan's Sports and Exercise Science Department and Preston Swimming Club (PSC) have announced an exciting new partnership designed to help young people progress through sport.

The partnership will enable students to further enhance their skills by working closely with PSC’s swimmers & coaches.

They will develop close working relationships with the swimmers to help them in a number of key areas. Students will be working closely with the current coaching staff at PSC in areas such as Sports Physiology, Strength & Conditioning, Soft Tissue Therapy and Sports Nutrition.

In return the swimmers and staff of PSC will have access to the most up-to-date methods and techniques. Students will be involved in setting up programmes for the athletes, bringing PSC closer to larger programmes in the region who already have this support.

These are truly exciting times for both parties and it should allow the continual development of Preston Swimming Club and also help students progress in their chosen field of expertise.

Both parties are very keen to see this partnership mature and develop, and it's hoped this can be the start of some exciting times for both in the future.

Promotion aim for Netball teams

UCLan's netball teams are targeting success on a number of fronts this season.

Our three teams enjoyed mixed fortunes during 2012/13 - the first team retained their place in BUCS Northern Division 2A, the 2nds just missed out on promotion from 5A on goal difference, while the 3rd team gained promotion into 7A.

Their aim this season is to carry on chasing promotion across the board, as well as progressing in the Northern Conference Cup and Northern Conference Plate. If anyone is interested in playing netball this season they are welcome to contact Vicky Smith.

The club are holding a taster session at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre on Monday 23 September from 5-7pm where everyone is welcome to come and join in some fun match play. Trials for teams are on Wednesday 25 September.

If people are looking to play netball for fun instead of competitively they can also get in contact with Vicky, as she in the process of setting up a fun league closely linked to the club.

STFSC Squash Ladder League

The STFSC Squash Ladder League is now up and running. Ladder leagues are designed to allow you to meet new players and compete against people with similar abilities.

Once on the ladder you can play the person up to two spaces above you and (if you win) swap places with them. We offer flexible match times to fit into your schedule and beginners are extremely welcome. Join today and see how far you can climb.

For further information please email Morley Lewis or contact STFSC Reception on 01772 895400

Scorchers looking to build

Hugely popular in mainland Europe, Handball is quickly growing in the UK. UCLan Scorchers were founded after Great Britain's venture into the sport at London 2012, with the aim of establishing Handball as a recognised BUCS competition.

Scorchers Chairman Nick Gaunt is keen to get more people into the sport: "We started the Scorchers last year, after a few of us saw Handball for the first time in the Olympics. Our members were few - mainly international students as it's a lot bigger abroad than it is here.

"However, our aim is to get more members and hopefully grow the sport in the UK. This year we plan on having enough people for three teams - two male and one female. At the moment we have to organise games ourselves, as we are yet to be acknowledged by BUCS.

"Last season we had three friendlies - two against Edge Hill University and the other against Liverpool John Moores. We are really looking forward to playing Edge Hill again as tempers were high last time and it's definitely the beginning of a healthy rivalry between the two clubs. The Scorchers owe an awful lot to Sport 4 U, as they helped us with coaching and finding new members."

Anyone interested in joining the club can visit their stall at the Sports Fair on 20 September at 53 Degrees or email Nick.

UCLan instructor joins cycling elite

A fitness instructor from UCLan has been ranked alongside the likes of Mark Cavendish in the top one per cent of cyclists in the country.

Steve Abbott, who works at the University's Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, is now a British Cycling Elite Licence Holder after a successful season with Teamwallis Cycling Team led to a promotion.

The accolade applies to the UK's top professional cyclists such as Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh and to serious amateur cyclists who have gained over 300 points in a racing season. The status allows Steve to compete in any Elite National UK race events apart from those solely for professionals.

Steve's success of three wins and seven podium finishes in the 2013 UK season has allowed him to enter this elite category and join some of his cycling heroes.

The 36-year-old, who lives in New Longton, commented: "I've always had modest ambitions of success and I've certainly exceeded them. To get to this level is fantastic and it just shows that hard work brings rewards."

Unusually Steve only took up cycling at the age of 29 after being inspired by elite racers such as Sir Bradley Wiggins. The dedicated athlete juggles a full-time job at UCLan as a Duty Officer teaching spinning, boxercise and circuits with up to 20 hours a week on his bike.

"Working shifts helps me to manage a busy schedule,” Steve said. “I can sometimes fit in a four hour ride in the morning before work though it can be tiring if I've got to teach a spinning class in the afternoon."

The University's sporting arm, UCLanSport, has aided Steve's development through sports science power testing and coaching advice. The cyclist has also worked with UCLan students by taking part in various research studies.

During the race season Steve races up to five times a week and has to fit recovery rides in between. This year he's raced in Belgium in the warm up event for the Scheldeprijs Flanders Classics cycling race which attracts over 10,000 cyclists.

Steve added: "I've had a great season and racing in Belgium is definitely one of the highlights. I'm already looking forward to next year where I aim to continue to improve my performance and push myself as much as I can."