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News Release from: Fast Track | Subject: British University Championships
Edited by the Marketingservicestalk Editorial
Team on 21 June 2007
British sport delivers new championship
The British University Championships is a brand new major sporting festival that will bring together 6,500 university students at the UK's biggest annual multi-sport event.
The new four-day championship, which will act as a culmination of a year-round programme of sport, will feature 22 sports across a combination of Team Finals and Individual Championships The city of Sheffield has won the right to host the British University Championships for the next three years - with the first major event taking place on 13-16 March 2008
This article was originally published on Marketingservicestalk on 21 Aug 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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The aim of the British University Championships is to raise the level and profile of student sport from participation through to elite competition, creating a legacy of experience for students - both participants and spectators - and will be designed to replicate the feel of a major championship event.
John Inverdale, President of BUSA (British University Sports Association), said: "This is a great example of BUSA developing talent ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and to raise the level of competition.
"The British University Championships will provide the perfect platform for students to gain the invaluable experience of competing in a major competition".
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BUSA Chairman Phil Attwell said: "The quality of student sport is high and getting higher.
"The British University Championships will provide an excellent showcase for student sport in a city which is fast-becoming England's sporting capital".
Sheffield has been selected as the host city due to its variety of first-class sporting facilities.
Venues to be used include Don Valley Stadium, Ponds Forge ISC and the EIS Sheffield (English Institute of Sport).
Councillor Jan Wilson, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "Yet again Sheffield has attracted a major sporting event to the city.
"We continue to show our credentials as a first-class sporting city attracting major events year on year.
"It shows how Sheffield has the facilities and capabilities to hold an event of this size.
"There will be a real focus of attention not only our world-class venues but also the regeneration projects, key to Sheffield being a destination city".
Minister for Sport and Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn said: "The British University Championships will give talented young athletes the opportunity to compete in a set-up similar to the Olympic Games.
"This can only help our ambitions for 2012 as we look to find potential Olympians that can bring medal success for Great Britain.
"I am pleased that Sheffield, with its world-class sporting facilities - such as the English Institute of Sport - and two world-class universities, has been chosen to be the inaugural host city.
"Putting on events such as this was the vision behind the transformation of the city's sporting landscape ahead of the World Student Games in 1991.
"I am sure the Sheffield people will show the British University Games great support".
Leon Taylor, Olympic silver medallist and part-time 'Business and Finance' student at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "This exciting new concept will help develop thousands of young athletes across the country, providing them with good competition.
"I'm proud that Sheffield will be hosting this new event".
Julia Beckett, Commonwealth silver medallist and full-time 'Sport and Exercise Science' student at Loughborough University, said: "Many of Britain's top swimmers are studying at university, so it will be a great opportunity to showcase the potential in British swimming among fellow students and competitors".
Zara Hohn, Sheffield-born 100m hurdles competitor, said: "I hope to attend university in the next 18 months and the British University Championships can only help me develop as an athlete.
"Competing at a major multi-sport games or championships can be really intimidating, so having such a major event annually will really help".
Richard Jones, Chief Executive of 'Yorkshire South' Tourism, said: "We are delighted to be the host of the British University Championships in 2008 and we look forward to welcoming the competitors, their families and supporters to the Yorkshire South region to what promises to be an exciting event.
"We consider this event to highlight the city of Sheffield and the sub region's sporting facilities and capabilities of hosting large, prestigious events".
Neil Jenkinson, Head of Culture and Major Events at Yorkshire Forward, said: "The BUSA games will bring 6,500 sporting students to our region - many of whom could be the future athletes to represent us at the 2012 Olympic Games.
"Bringing the Games to Sheffield will further cement the city's reputation as a first-class centre for sports and sporting excellence.".
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