LAST year marked another season of great sporting success for Swansea University, as we moved up one place in the BUCS rankings compared to the previous year.
Over the course of the year Swansea achieved both collective and individual medals at regional and national events.
Swansea University also saw some of their finest compete in front of global audiences during this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
So as the new season approaches here is what you may have missed, in Swansea’s season review 2011/12.
SWANSEA started the year strongly with many sports teams high up in their league tables.
One of the highlights of the first semester was Swansea’s women’s basketball firsts’ narrow but deserved 64-63 victory over rivals Cardiff University.
Another was men’s football firsts’ equally impressive 1-0 away win against Cardiff.
Men’s rugby firsts also started well, with a convincing victory over Bristol University 30-13.
Swansea surged up the BUCS rankings just before the Christmas break with success in both swimming and jitsu.
Swansea came third out of 44 in the BUCS short course swimming competition, with Emma Smithurst winning four medals, breaking two BUCS records in the process, and Ross Douglas and Adam Mallett both taking bronze.
Swansea’s jitsu team also experienced national success by winning the BUCS shield in Sheffield.
This would not be the only success jitsu captain David Townsend would have this year. After the BUCS shield victory Townsend declared the jitsu club had “established [itself] as a martial art, and as a sport within the athletics union.”
Fighting Champions: Holly Carey and Calum Spours take top honours
THE second semester brought even more fantastic moments for the University, with great success in martial arts and athletics.
The judo team won two medals at the Welsh Nationals; gold for Karina Young and bronze for David Townsend.
In February, Calum Spours continued the success as he was crowned the Welsh boxing champion at the 67kg division.
The jitsu team built on their earlier success with eight more medals at the Randori Nationals.
Swansea’s swimming team took third place finish at the BUCS long course event, matching their success in the shorter discipline back in November.
In March, Swansea’s martial arts continued to flourish with their taekwondo club winning nine medals at the ITF Student Championship.
The karate club also took four medals at the UK Open with karate captain, Holly Carey, leading by example and winning double gold. Carey described this success as capping off her “most successful year to date”.
Imelda Morrison rounded off a fine year after she achieved gold in the women’s long jump at the BUCS Indoor Athletics Championship.
Beaten But Not Bowed
THE event of the year for Swansea’s sporting stars was as always the Welsh Varsity, against arch rivals Cardiff, which was hosted in the capital for the second year in a row.
Ultimately Swansea were well beaten in the rugby match despite a fine start with a try from fly-half Aled Lewis after 10 minutes.
Cardiff took control and moved out of sight with a lead of 23 points to six with only half an hour left.
Swansea battled back to score a converted try but it was not enough as Cardiff scored two more late on to seal the win 33-13. Coach Richard Lancaster was bullish despite the result. He said: “[The defeat was] something to store and use as fuel for next season.”
On the back of the defeat, Swansea are sure to come back stronger next year.
Overall Swansea suffered their worst Varsity in recent years with only five wins from 26 events. The wins for Swansea came in golf, men’s fencing, women’s squash, sailing and Intramural football.
Despite the disappointing finale Swansea can be proud of their teams.
Elsewhere, the men’s novice rowing team won their first ever race in Welsh Varsity history.
