The Lion - Summer 2014

The Lion

ISSUE 9 May 2014

Charlotte Wilson p3 Izzy Christiansen interview

p7 Aussie rules review

David Morris speaks to Izzy Christiansen about her continuing rise in women's football.

George Dibble reviews a successful year for one of the University's rapidly growing teams.

p5 Ultimate frisbee review

It has been a record breaking year for the Ultimate frisbee squad, here we review their fantastic success.

p6 Golf round-up

The golf club captain, Luke Gorman, rounds up another brilliant year for the golf team.

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9th May - 5th June 2014

THE LION

Editorial Information Editors David Morris Alex Kronenberg

Senior Editorial Assistant

Photography Editor Charlotte Wilson

Editorial Assistant Molly Garfoot Bethany Tilston Ellie Jarvis Ella Parsons Sabrina Dougall Toria Brook-Hill Michael Smith Lucy Moseley Emily Trivette

Isabel Mason

Photographers Peter Saxon Will Siddons Zhi Li Mathis Baumert

VP Sport's review of the sporting year

redbrick.me/sport

The Lion would like to thank: Vicki Harris UBSport Published by Redbrick in association with and part funded by UBsport Copyright (C) Redbrick 2014 Redbrick strives to uphold the NUJ Code of Conduct. The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the Editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.

To contact us: Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TU 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrick.me www.redbrick.me Redbrick is printed through www.mortonsprint.com 01507523456

WRITE FOR US Anyone can write for Redbrick Sport. Get in touch by emailing us: sports@redbrick.me

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Welcome to the tenth edition of The Lion, Redbrick Sport's biannual pullout. It has been a sensational year for the University's sports clubs, with some fantastic achievements across the board.

Our personal highlights have been watching the women's hockey first team on their successful cup run, beating Lougborough in the final. The men's football first team were also a joy to watch throughout their league campaign and were bitterly unlucky not to finish top. Performances in the BUCS events have also been a source of great pride and saw the University placed third in the overall rankings.

Finally, it has been a pleasure for us to report on the great successes over the season. We hope you enjoy the issue.

Alex Kronenberg David Morris

@redbricksports

Vicki Harris VP Sport

Hello and welcome to this year’s edition of The Lion!

I hope you had an enjoyable Easter break and wish you all the best of luck in upcoming exams. It has been an exciting, action-packed past few months, marking an unbelievable year for all of our teams and athletes, with some of our best performances and achievements ever. It has been a privilege and an honour to share these remarkable successes with you this year.

In February, the BUCS Gatorade National Championships 2014 saw some impressive results from our Birmingham teams. Judo celebrated an incredible medal haul, including Gold for the women’s team, adding to three silvers and two bronze medals for the team. A highlight from Swimming was Charlotte Reid winning Gold in the 50m Backstroke, a fantastic achievement. The Trampolining team were bouncing all weekend after securing 4th place and their first ever BUCS points at the same time. Athletics & Cross Country also impressed with a huge medal total of two golds, one silver and four bronze individual medals, plus a team bronze to top it off. Bowling also had a successful weekend with three of the four teams featuring in the top ten of their competition and winning 14 BUCS points in total. The Badminton team celebrated bronze with Hannah Sharman and Doug Furze in the mixed competition, and Squash had an amazing weekend with sports scholar Chloe Mesic playing an outstanding competition to win BUCS Individual Women’s A-Grade Gold.

March saw the run of good results continue. The Swimming club’s first team won Bronze at the Team Swimming Finals in Sheffield, while Korfball took team Gold at the National Championships at the University of East Anglia Sportspark Arena. Ultimate Frisbee were also crowned National Champions at the University Mixed Outdoor Nations in Sheffield.

And then of course we had BUCS Big Wednesday. There were some out-

standing results from the two days that made up BUCS Big Wednesday 2014, which took place on 24-25 March at Surrey Sports Park. We had 8 teams qualify for their respective finals and when the results came in it was an absolute Gold Rush. Basketball women, Volleyball women, Lacrosse women and all the Squash teams took Gold and were crowned ‘BUCS National Champions’.

Badminton came away with an outstanding Silver as did the men’s Fencing team. Well done to all students, staff and supporters who were involved in helping achieve these results. Amazing!

Outside of these big BUCS events, our Birmingham Lions American Football team gave a performance to be proud of in the BUCS American Football National Championships Final, taking Silver after a tough defeat to the Stirling Clansmen 20-15, in what was an exciting and highly skilled game. Our Birmingham Pussycats Cheerleading team also had an incredible Nationals in Nottingham at the British Open & University Nationals Cheer & Dance Championships, with a 1st place for team stunt in Level 6, and the hip-hop team coming 4th. The competition squad gave one of their best performances to date and placed 4th overall and 2nd out of the University teams.

After all of this, and to finish off what has been a remarkable second term, our Women’s Hockey team were victorious, beating Loughborough 2-0 in the BUCS Women’s Hockey Championship Final on 2nd April at Beeston Hockey Club in Nottingham. An outstanding end to the season reaffirmed their status as the best University hockey club in the country.

Over April, Brumski & Board Club and the Dodgeball Club saw some impressive results. Our snowsports team absolutely smashed the BUSC Main Event Championship 2014 in Alpe D’Huez, the biggest event in the snowsports calendar, placing 3rd overall and scooping up 12 BUCS points in the contributing events. Meanwhile, the men’s Dodgeball team stormed through their league finishing in 2nd place in the play-offs against the 5 other top teams and securing a well-deserved promotion into Division 1 for next year.

More recently, over the May bank holiday weekend, the Athletics squad travelled to Bedford for the BUCS Athletics Outdoor Championships. They came away with a sensational medal tally securing 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze, a Team Silver for the women and Team Bronze for the men. These were their best results from the outdoor champs to date - congratulations to everyone who took part!

It goes without saying that this term has been remarkable for all our students and clubs, and there have been many memorable moments which will be cherished for a long to come. For me, it has been a pleasure watching from the sidelines and sharing all your stories. My term in office comes to an end in July, when I will be welcoming in your new Vice-President (Sport & Nutrition), Molly Browne. Until then, I look forward celebrating all your fantastic achievements this year with you at Sports Ball on June 8th at the Edgbaston Cricket ground. Good luck for all your exams!

Remember to take a break and look after yourself!

Best wishes, Vicki Vice-President (Sport)

redbrick.me/sport

9th May - 5th June 2014

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Redbrick Sport meets Izzy Christiansen David Morris Sports Editor

It has been quite the year for Izzy Christiansen. Last time Redbrick Sport spoke to the forward, she had just been through a week of training with the senior

"It's clear that Christiansen is currently experiencing a very enjoyable time in the game, but the move to City was far from a certainty, the 22 year old tell us."

England women’s side, having been called up to the senior international fold for the first time. This came on the back of a period in which she had been starring for both Birmingham City and the University side, as well as focussing plenty of time on her studies. Since then, Christiansen has made the move north from Birmingham to Manchester, having been signed in February for Manchester City, and last month was also nominated for the PFA ‘Women’s Young Player of the Year’ award. It’s clear that Christiansen is currently experiencing a very enjoyable time in the game, but the move to City was far from a certainty, the 22 year old tells us.

‘I was told by Birmingham that Man City had been in contact and that it was okay to talk to them, but I was caught in two minds as to what to do’ says Christiansen.

The forward, who has represented England throughout the levels of youth football was left making a very tough decision. Did she remain at a side where she was part of a ‘tight knit squad’ who were involved in Champions League football, or did she move to City, a side with what Christiansen describes as a ‘mind blowing’ set of facilities as well as an ‘exciting structure’?

Should Christiansen continue to progress at such a speed and really make an impact at City, it will be her mother who their fans can thank. With Christiansen really caught

"Should Christiansen continue to progress at such a speed and really make an impact at City, it will be her mother who their fans can thank." in two minds she struggled to sleep the night before she was due in Manchester to sign a contract. In the end her mother acted decisively. ‘I may not have gone if my mum hadn’t pushed me into the car and driven me to the Ethiad’ Christiansen exclaims.

Despite the incredibly difficult decision to leave Birmingham, a side where she had enjoyed a fair amount of success, Christiansen is beginning to reap the benefits of signing for City, with their finances and facilities setting them apart from many of their rivals in the women’s game. ‘The facilities are mind blowing. Last week we played at The Ethiad and a new academy is being built which will contain supposedly some of the best sporting facilities in the world, and will include a purpose built women’s football stadium’ says Christiansen,

"The forward is also quick to point out that while her final season may have been one of transition, the next campaign could see the current crop of players 'excelling in the BUCS league...if they work hard!'" before adding ‘it’s mega’. With such strides being made behind the scenes of the women’s game, it appears that similar steps are occurring in the popularity and coverage of women’s football in the public domain. For the first time ever there is a second division (Women’s Super League 2) to join the premier division of the Women’s Super League, and BT Sport will be providing live coverage of the game throughout the season, as well as a weekly highlights show. While Christiansen doesn’t believe the women’s game can yet compete with their male counterparts, as a result of its huge popularity, she does admit that the women’s game is currently enjoying a spell of ‘increasing coverage and fan bases’.

Moving onto University matters, having played her final ever game for Birmingham

"Proud moments have been frequent and plentiful for Izzy Christiansen over the past year."

University, Christiansen is quick to highlight her ‘very enjoyable time playing for the Uni team’, selecting almost ‘every game’ as a highlight. The forward is also quick to point out that while her final season may have been one of transition, the next campaign could see the current crop of players ‘excelling in the BUCS league...if they work hard!’

Before finishing our conversation,

"Christiansen found out about her nomination after a game from a PFA agent, saying it was a 'proud moment'."

Redbrick Sport is keen to know how the 22 year old felt on being nominated for the PFA award. ‘It was a shock. I knew I had enjoyed a good season, something that’s a testament to the squad at Birmingham, the staff and my own personal commitment.’

Christiansen found out about her nomination after a game from a PFA agent, saying it was a ‘proud moment’.

Proud moments have been frequent and plentiful for Izzy Christiansen over the past year. A successful season with Birmingham, a call up to the England squad, a move to Manchester City and a nomination for the ‘Young Player of the Year’ have made it a busy period for someone who is also finishing their University degree at the same time.

One thing is for sure. With City’s funding into the women’s game it is clear that they have a lot of ambition. The same can be said of Izzy Christiansen.

Charlotte Wilson

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9th May - 5th June 2014

redbrick.me/sport

Exciting summer ahead for University's cricket sides Ahead of the start of the BUCS cricket campaign, Redbrick Sport spoke to Ben Frost about the University of Birmingham's cricket sides and their targets for the year.

David Morris Sports Editor

The sun is trying to break out from the clouds, the days are getting ever so slightly hotter, and rumours concerning the presence of Kevin Pietersen and the ever-likable Piers Morgan hiring a box at Lords when England take on Sri Lanka are flying around, it can only mean one thing. The return of the cricket season.

"This quality though must now transfer onto the pitch with the club being clear with their intent and targets for the upcoming campaign."

Excitement levels are high within the ranks of the University of Birmingham’s cricket team, with players looking forward to getting back on the pitch after an extended period of training throughout the winter, culminating in some pre-season matches. Ahead of the start of the new campaign, Redbrick Sport spoke to first team batsman Ben Frost about what the side’s targets were, and what they were looking forward to once the cricket gets underway. Frost states that a strenuous fitness programme has been followed throughout the colder months, leaving the team’s players ‘finely tuned’ as athletes are ‘raring to go’ for the start of the campaign, which begins on 7th June for the men’s 1sts

and 2nds, who will this year compete in the same league. Frost speaks very highly of the commitment of the sides to the training programme that has been followed, and says that the teams have benefited greatly from being able to use the indoor facilities at Edgbaston. These should stand Birmingham in good stead ahead of the cricket season with few other universities being able to boast such quality in the facilities they use.

This quality though must now transfer onto the pitch with the club being clear with their intent and targets for the upcoming campaign. Frost suggests that the first team ‘fell short with the bat on a couple of occasions’, something that will certainly need to be rectified if the team is to really pursue its aim of promotion to BUCS Premier North division.

They do though boast the talent of first team captain Matthew Marfani with the bat, who according to Frost is keen to ‘latch onto anything short and wide’. He will look to Chris Beech for assistance in the runs department, having enjoyed a fruitful pre season.

James Wagstaff looks set to be the first

"However it is the placement of the 1sts and 2nds in the same division which has caused real excitement, with Frost expecting 'fireworks' when the two sides meet."

team’s main man with the ball having been the team’s most impressive bowler throughout the winter, combining real pace with aggression.

For the second team it will hopefully be a season of consolidation in the Midlands 1A league, after promotion to the division last year, while the 3rds will be looking for a similar achievement to that of the 2nds having just missed out on promotion at the end of the last campaign. However it is the placement of both the 1sts and 2nds in the same division which has caused real excitement,

"These games, as with any in the Midlands 1A league will be full of ability, with Frost speaking very highly of the talent on show in the league, with every side supposedly 'possessing real quality' according to Frost." with Frost expecting ‘fireworks’ when the two sides meet for the first time on the 28th May. The game will surely be a lively display of cricket and will hopefully attract a substantial crowd for two of the University’s teams who go more under the radar than the likes of the hockey or rugby teams. This match together with fixtures against Coventry

and Loughborough are the ones the players are looking forward to, according to Frost, with the games always creating fiercely

"This is not to take away from what looks set to be a really exciting campaign for all the University's teams." entertaining spectacles, with both sides keen to achieve wins over rivals.

These games, as with any in the Midlands 1A league will be full of ability, with Frost speaking very highly of the talent on show in the league, with every side supposedly ‘possessing real quality’. There is though perhaps a bone of frustration amongst the teams involved in BUCS Cricket, since seasons are notoriously short, and when it is considered that the British summer is not the most reliable in terms of providing decent weather, it can very much be a case of ‘blink and you will miss it’ according to Frost.

Indeed all the University of Birmingham sides will only play five league matches, with the season ending just under a month after it began! However this is not to take away from what looks set to be a really exciting campaign for all the University’s teams.

With the 1sts and 3rds looking for promotion, and the 2nds looking to build on a very positive campaign last time round, there is sure to be an abundance of quality and entertainment on show when any of the Birmingham outfits take to the field.

redbrick.me/sport

9th May - 5th June 2014

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Success across the board for Ultimate frisbee Tom Hodgett

Ultimate frisbee member

The 2012/2013 season was the Ultimate Frisbee side’s most successful to date, winning a couple of BUCS bronze medals and gaining first place at a number of regional tournaments. However, this was not deemed enough and the team set their ambitions high for another record breaking 2013/2014 season.

Once again the team got the formalities out of the way early, with the men’s, wom-

"The team set their ambitions high for another record breaking 2013/2014 season."

en’s and mixed teams all qualifying for Division One indoor nationals (where the top 16 teams in the country compete). The mixed and women’s team won consecutive Midlands regional titles, whilst the men’s team placed second, bettered only by Cambridge (again).

The depth of the club was highlighted when the mixed second team completed the momentous task of being the only second team nationwide to qualify for Division Two nationals.

The mixed first team became Ultimate’s most successful team in history, boasting an

unbeaten season, resulting in two first place finishes at the indoor and outdoor national championships. Not only was the team dominant, but the manner in which the victories came was very impressive, with almost every game of the entire season a comfortable victory. An 11-2 win over Durham at the indoor nationals semi-final epitomised the dominance of the mixed side.

There were high expectations too for the women’s team this year. After winning the regional championship title the team were the talk of the town, and rightly so. Despite a

"The mixed first team became Ultimate's most successful team in history, boasting an unbeaten season, resulting in two first place finishes." few tense sudden death points, the squad made it to the national finals unbeaten, against last year’s champions Dundee. They were big, and scary and made the game ten times scrappier than would have been wanted. They proved too much and deservedly

"A couple of hours of soul searching and mo"At the moment if all tivational speeches led results are collated tothe side to wins over gether then Birmingham Oxford and a rematch are comfortably the win over Nottingham best indoor team in the securing third place and country." a spot at the nationals."

won the title. Second place seemed a horrible reality at the time, but in truth it will only

make the incredibly talented girls stronger for next year.

At the moment, if all results are collated together then Birmingham are comfortably the best indoor team in the country. Moving onto the outdoor season, the women’s division has no regional competition so it is straight to nationals for the team, sporting a number of past and present GB athletes that shine in an outdoor setting.

The men’s team had a slightly more difficult route to Division One nationals. Losing to Warwick and Nottingham on a windy Sunday morning made matters difficult. A couple of hours of soul searching and motivational speeches led the side to wins over Oxford and a rematch win over Nottingham securing third place and a spot at nationals.

Good luck to the Men’s and Women’s

teams competing at outdoor nationals in Manchester in late April. Let’s hope to top off a wonderful season with some more medals. ‘Clink clink’.

Throughout the rapid competitive development of the club, Ultimate has managed to maintain an open door policy for all prospective members, providing opportunities for elite level competition alongside a relaxed, social environment. Something we truly pride ourselves on.

With a fresh new committee selected for the upcoming season, and the rumours of a number of GB athletes joining our roster, our future seems bright!

Send a message to the Facebook group UBSport Ultimate if you’d like to get involved!

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9th May - 5th June 2014

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Golf soar above par in successful campaign Luke Gorman Golf club captain

Once again, the 2013/14 season saw success for the University of Birmingham Golf Squad with two league wins, two cup wins, a gold medal in a BUCS strokeplay tournament and four hole-in-ones! With the squad being the strongest in depth it has probably ever been, the expectations were high from the start and the players certainly delivered.

The first team narrowly missed out on a top two finish in the Premier North division and came up short in the cup after losing to a strong Exeter team, but Captain Matt Fieldsend praised his team for their efforts through the year: ‘The players have been great this year. There are some top teams in the Premier division and to finish in the top two was always going to be a tricky task but the commitment shown was never in question.’

The second team retained their league title by narrowly beating the 3rds to top spot in the Midland 1A division thanks to a final day victory over Lincoln 1sts. The cup final also beckoned but a dramatic home semi-final defeat at the hands of Bournemouth 2nds left the 2nds ruing their chances of potentially facing the 3rd team in the final at Formby Golf Club on 30th April. Despite this, captain Jordan Patmore said: ‘Obviously we’re disappointed with the loss but to get to the semi-final of the cup and retain the league title shows the potential this team has. We’ll be raring to go for the double next time around.’

Matthew Williamson

Mathis Baumert

Mathis Baumert

"Special mention needs to be given to the support on the day in what has turned out to be a 'Miracle on Merseyside'."

With a runner-up finish in the league secured, the 3rds turned their attentions to the cup final at Formby Golf Club on 30th April, after beating Exeter 2nds in the semifinal at Edgbaston Golf Club, in what will be a final to remember for a long time.

Bournemouth 2nds had led 3-0 after the morning foursomes which were far from an ideal start for Birmingham. However, the afternoon singles got off to a flyer with Sam Truman, Joe Way and Alex Bagnall all registering big wins which tied the match up at 3-3. Bournemouth then clinched another point which left them on the brink of victory but Luke Gorman squared the match at 4-4 with a decisive seven foot putt on the 18th green to win 1 up. Mikey Major then decisively holed a three foot putt on the 18th to halve his match and take the final into a deciding playoff.

Full of confidence after the team’s afternoon performance to win the singles 4.5 – 1.5, Gorman had the advantage in the playoff after splitting the fairway with his drive and finding the green in two. Bournemouth couldn’t escape from the bunker which left Gorman with a three footer for victory which he holed sparking wild celebrations.

Captain Mikey Major said about the win: ‘It’s been a fantastic cup run and the players’ determination to fight back in the afternoon shows how much this final meant to them.

Special mention needs to be given to the support on the day in what has turned out to be a ‘Miracle on Merseyside!’

The fourth team also delivered success in the form of a league and cup double thanks to a deciding day at Woodhall Spa in March. After staying unbeaten throughout the whole season, the final league game and cup final were both to be decided on the

Will Siddons

"The fourth team also delivered success in the form of a league and cup double." same day against Lincoln College. With a lot at stake, the team held their nerve in the morning and the afternoon to record the league and cup double thanks to 4-2 and 5-1 wins respectively. Captain on the day Dan Scoble said: ‘Today was an all or nothing day with huge amounts at stake but the players kept their focus and nerve and after a long season, it’s great to have done the double.’

In Club individual tournaments, Jordan Patmore won the UOB Club Championships at Edgbaston Golf Club after an eagle on the 16th hole helped him on his way to a level

par round of 69 to beat Andrew Turner by two shots.

Alex Bagnall won the inaugural UOB Handicap Invitational with 39 points on a blustery day again at Edgbaston Golf with students as far as Exeter and East Anglia attending. The Student Matchplay is into the latter stages where Luke Gorman will face either Alex Higgs or Harry Chapple in the semi-final. The final is scheduled for the end of May. Success in the BUCS individual strokeplay tournaments followed with Luke Gorman winning the BUCS Strokeplay at Royal Cinque Ports in March. A final round of 70 in tough conditions gave Birmingham their first men’s individual title since 2010.

There was also plenty of excitement created throughout the season by hole-in-ones.

With the chances of achieving one of these in a round being close to 100,000 to 1, what

odds would you have had on four of them being achieved in the same year from the same University Golf Squad? Well, this season four Birmingham players achieved this feat with Martin Tavoda holing out at Woodhall Spa; Dan Scoble at Royal Cinque Ports; Alex Bagnall at Southport & Ainsdale and finally Matt Fieldsend at Dawlish Warren!

As the University season draws to a close, a special mention needs to go to the committee members of 2013-14 in helping to run the Golf squad this year; thanks to all of the players who have performed incredibly well this season and also to Matt Bridge, David Fulcher and Alistair Davies for their help with regards to coaching and support in helping to make 2013-14 one of the best seasons in the Golf Squad’s history. Let the 2014-15 season commence.

9th May - 5th June 2014

redbrick.me/sport

7

Gap narrows between Badminton A and B squads Matt Rochards

Badminton team member

The Badminton club is one of the most successful University Badminton Clubs in the country, placing fourth in this years BUCS ranking and securing a BUCS individual bronze medal in mixed doubles.

"The best clubs don't just care about the best players, they care about every player" The elite players of the first teams have worked hard, performed extremely well and maintained the extremely high level the club is known for. But the best clubs don't just care about the best players, they care about every player. Respect in sport cannot be reserved for only the best players. The club is dedicated to holistic development, ensuring every squad member has the chance to improve, not just focusing on the handful at the top. There are nearly 50 players in the squad, all of whom have access to at least four hours of training and opportunities to play competitively either in BUCS or the local league.

For those that don't know, the Badminton Squad is actually divided into two separate

squads, the A squad and the B squad.

Players are placed in the squad befitting their ability however the gap between the squads has become extremely close in the last year. There is even an overlapping layer of B squad players who have been attending A squad training sessions.

The open mind of the head coach, Lorraine Cole, and her appreciation of hard work and dedication regardless of skill level has allowed the depth of the squad to grow so tremendously. She could easily just concern herself with the elite players and focus on the same people but she is always looking to encourage all the players in the squad.

The squad has achieved so much this year, none of which would have been possible without the guiding hand of club captain Rachel Gauntley and the hard work of the club committee. The squad is now looking ahead to next season where it hopes to build upon the successes of this year both on the court and off it.

"Players are placed in the squad befitting their ability, however the gap between the squads has become extremely close in the last year."

Zhi Li

'Best ever' year for Aussie Rules George Dibble Aussie rules captain

It’s a bit of a sports club cliché to say that this year has been the ‘best ever’, but it can be stated with utter confidence that this last season has genuinely been the best yet for the Aussie Rules side. The season has defied all expectations, particularly in the interest the club received at Sports Fair - this turned into 40 members, nearly double that of the previous season. This has enabled the club to organise its first ever tour, resulting in a strong win against a very capable Cardiff side, and various other activities that don’t need to be mentioned.

"It can be stated with utter confidence that this last season has genuinely been the best yet for the Aussie rules side."

Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

Other performances have included two wins against an accomplished Midlands team, victories at home against Manchester and our Alumni, the first time that such a match has taken place (an achievement in itself given that the club is just five years old). The team also came runners-up in the Movember Cup (a competition for clubs in the Midlands and North of England), followed up by a convincing victory away against Cambridge University. Unfortunately a win against Oxford University once again evaded the Sharks’ grasp, going down by a small margin. This disappointment, however, was overturned following a maiden win of the Midlands Balls to Cancer Charity

"This disappointment, however, was overturned following a maiden win of the Midlands Balls to Cancer Charity Cup at the end of March."

Cup at the end of March.

Both President Ollie Di-Lieto and Social Secretary Sam Willatt represented Europe against the AIS-AFL Academy (the best under-18 players in Australia), whilst captain George Dibble had the honour of gaining his first cap for Great Britain, and has been called up as an emergency for the International Cup, held in Melbourne in August; Di-Lieto and Willatt, now regulars in the GB side, have already booked their seats on the plane. Ian Kafka, club Secretary, must also be mentioned here for increasing his own reputation as an umpire, taking a whistle in the AIS-AFL/Europe match in April.

International honours aside, club stalwarts Will Slatter, Alex Markham and Luke Murchie all had outstanding seasons on the pitch, with President-elect Murchie gaining many Hard Hat awards for his physicality.

Our freshers this year have also stepped up to the mark and all deserve huge credit for the speed with which they took to the game and their subsequent performances; however, Tommy Deo, Ryan Cawley, Nathaniel Wilson and Ross Denton warrant special mentions after becoming the backbone of this year’s team.

The season is not yet over, and the club is looking forward to International Rules against Gaelic Football on 6th June, which is sure to be an incredible encounter.

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Charlotte Wilson

University of Birmingham's sporting year in pictures.

Photos by: Will Siddons, Peter Saxon, Zhi Li and Charlotte Wilson.