Highest ever BUCS ranking for Exeter

The BUCS competition is run across 149 Higher Education institutions every year and over the past 4 years Exeter has steadily climbed the table, securing its position as one of the top ten sporting universities in the country. Having finished 8^th in 2011, Exeter’s aim for 2012 had been to retain its position amongst other leading sporting universities, many of whom have a significantly higher number of students from which to pool their representative teams. Exeter finished the BUCS year with 2371.1points – their highest score ever.

2011-12 saw Exeter enter over 1000 students into BUCS competitions with an average of 55 teams competing on a weekly basis across 30 sports ranging from Rugby, Hockey and Netball to Surfing, Canoe Polo and Ultimate Frisbee. Joe Batten, Athletic Union President 2012-13 commented:

“We are absolutely delighted with our final position of 7th in the BUCS league table this year! This would not have been achievable without the fantastic help and support from all the coaching staff, volunteers and of course our students who compete week in week out. Congratulations and well done to everyone!”

Nick Beasant, Assistant Director of Sport (Performance and Competitions) said:

"I am exceptionally pleased that we have yet again achieved such an outstanding final placing in this year's BUCS rankings. Exeter has consistently improved over the past four years rising from 12th place up to an almost ten year high of 7th place for 2011-2012. This is not only a testament to the many talented and motivated student-athletes whom represent Exeter within all BUCS competitions, but also a reflection on our fantastic coaches and support staff who all work so hard to develop some many great teams. Next year will no doubt prove to be another fascinating and challenging BUCS campaign.”

Highlights from this year’s competitions included Men’s Hockey winning the Championship Final, 6 teams reaching the finals of the Western Conference Cup (winners from these included Men’s Basketball, Men’s Badminton and Women’s Football), Women’s Rugby 7s taking Gold at the 7s Championship Finals and Yachting winning the National Finals.

Ending the year on another BUCS high, the University hosted the annual BUCS conference last week with record numbers attending the event and nominations for Exeter students at the Awards Dinner:
- Robin Williams, PhD Mathematics, Team GB Blind Football London 2012 Paralympic Games - nominated for BUCS Sportsman of the Year
- Men’s Hockey 1^st X1 nominated for BUCS Team of the Year.

We now wish our Olympic alumni the very best of luck as they head to the greatest show on earth at the London 2012 Olympic Games:

Ian Haley (Sports Science : 2005) Hockey South Africa

Sarah Thomas (Sports Science : 2002) Hockey Great Britain