The University of Worcester’s men’s cricket team have been celebrating after taking third place in a national competition.
The team were narrowly beaten in the semi-finals of the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports) national championships, leaving them in the bronze spot – their highest ever achievement.
“It still feels pretty surreal,” said the Society’s Chairman, Andy Hattey, who is in the 4th year of his Sport and Exercise Science degree at Worcester. “It was amazing to get through to the semi-finals, where we faced Durham. Unfortunately, Durham were just that bit better than us, but we’re so proud of our achievement.”
The men’s cricket performance squad has been training three times a week at 7am plus extra sessions in afternoons and evenings, including Strength & Conditioning, to prepare for the championships.
“We put a lot of training in,” said Captain Dominic O’Reilly. “The whole team have given it their all and we’re so pleased to have come third in the Country.”
Dominic, who is in his third year studying Sports Coaching Science, said the team was now looking towards its next big competition – Varsity – against the University of Gloucestershire.
“We’ve won the last 3 or 4 years at Varsity so were hoping to do the same again,” he said. “We’re having a week off and then we’ll be back hitting the training hard to prepare.”
Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Science and Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor, said: “This success is a great reflection upon the team’s commitment and ability, and we are really proud of the players for this excellent achievement.”
The University of Worcester has a strong pedigree in cricket, having worked for many years with Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Worcestershire County Cricket Board to provide scholarships and opportunities for students to engage in the game.
The University recently received planning permission to build the world’s first inclusive cricket education centre, which will become a world-leading training venue for all forms of the game, from grassroots to elite level.
Worcester is the only university in the UK to run a BSc in Cricket Coaching and Management.