Latest news with #BUCS
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Rising Welsh rugby star signs pro deal with top English side after breakthrough season
Rising Welsh rugby star signs pro deal with top English side after breakthrough season The 23-year-old has moved across the Severn Bridge after an impressive BUCS Super Rugby campaign Carrington playing for Ospreys A in 2021 (Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency ) Bristol Bears have signed Welsh full-back Josh Carrington following a standout campaign for Cardiff Met in BUCS Super Rugby. The 23-year-old delivered a string of impressive performances for the university side over the course of the recent season, scoring four tries as his team finished sixth in the league. He has now made the move across the Severn Bridge to sign a professional deal with the Bears, joining the Gallagher Premiership club alongside fellow BUCS star University of Nottingham lock Will Ramply. An Ospreys academy product, Carrington's electric pace and impressive footwork saw him gain a reputation as one of the trickiest players to defend against in BUCS. However, standing at 6ft 2in, he is also a powerful ball carrier and can hit hard in defence. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. He can play across the back three, making the bulk of his 15 BUCS appearances this season at full-back but also featuring on the right wing on two occasions. Carrington, who was chosen by BUCS presenter and commentator Joe Byrnes as his 'Breakout Player of the Year', also made five appearances for Cardiff Met in the Admiral Premiership over the course of the campaign. Article continues below He and Ramply also featured for Bristol as guest players in their exhibition match against Queensland Reds back in January. A few weeks earlier, the Archers star was also part of the Welsh Academies U23s team that took on Wales U20s at Cardiff Arms Park, getting on the scoresheet midway through the first half. The new U23s side was introduced by the WRU to give players who have already passed through the age grade teams a shop window as they look to forge successful professional careers, and the Bears have now decided to pick up Carrington as a "key part" of their recruitment strategy. Content cannot be displayed without consent The current Bears club captain, Fitz Harding, was signed in 2020 off the back of his performances for Durham University, having helped them to the BUCS Super Rugby title and been nominated for the league's player of the year award. As the signings of Carrington and Ramply were confirmed, Bristol's director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: 'The progress and development of our club captain Fitz Harding, as well as other players in the Gallagher Premiership, has shown us the talent that can be found and developed in the BUCS Super Rugby competition. Article continues below "A key part of the Bears recruitment strategy is to find the players who have been missed through the conventional Academy pathways – we believe there are good opportunities to recruit mature young players who can make the step up. 'Josh and Will have enjoyed fantastic seasons in BUCS Super Rugby and impressed us with their performances against Queensland Reds. "They have both earned their opportunities to continue their development as full-time professionals with the Bears.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
University of Worcester holds first Sports Personality of the Year Awards
TOP University of Worcester athletes were recognised at the institution's first sports awards ceremony. Seven awards were given to students at the UW Sports Personality of the Year event, and prizes for academic commitment, excellence in leadership, breakthrough athlete of the year, performance excellence, sport citizenship, and a coach's award. Students in the sports performance programme and on scholarships were nominated by their coaches for exceptional commitment to their chosen sport. Charlotte Beaman-Evans, head of the programme, said: "It was such a lovely evening, recognising our talented athletes and the UW Sport programme, which continues to grow each year. "As a university, we are ambitious in using the programme to help our students develop as not only athletes but also as well-rounded adults who can keep up with the demands of their studies and of modern society." Other winners at the ceremony were two members of the men's cricket team, which won the Super 8 Indoor Championship Finals this year. Head coach Alfie Marston said: "It's been an awesome year for men's and women's cricket. "We've continued to make excellent progress over recent years." Mike Harris, head coach of the women's football team—who made it into the BUCS Women's Midlands Conference Cup final said: "It has been a really enjoyable year being part of the UW Sport programme. "As an organisation, we have made significant strides towards developing an outstanding culture of performance sport at the university." The sports performance programme and various sports scholarships at the university supported almost 200 athletes over the past year. They include those representing their country at national or international competitions and those participating in the top levels of the university's sports teams, competing in the annual BUCS competition. Support includes strength and conditioning, sports therapy, gym membership, nutrition, sports psychology, an identified athlete lifestyle advisor, and pastoral workshops.
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Swansea dominate Cardiff in Welsh Varsity Boat Race
Swansea University swept away Cardiff University on the River Taff to take the honours in Saturday's Welsh Varsity Boat of the four races went to Swansea's crews to retain their grip on the title of top Welsh rowers in the event hosted in the Welsh men's senior eight beat Cardiff for the first time in a decade, with Cardiff's senior women taking the sole victory for their the wind picking up in the morning, Swansea's rowers had strong wins in both the men's and women's novice events over the 1.7km windy conditions continuing in the afternoon, Cardiff's women picked up their team's only win with a three-and-a-half length victory over their academic senior men finished the day with a convincing four-and-a-half length win, which their captain Oscar Whitcombe described as one of the club's best rows of the season"It was really windy at the top and really challenging. The wind again hit us as we came round the bend to Clarence Bridge, but we held in there," Whitcombe said."This sets us up nicely for the British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) regatta later in the season."Welsh beach rowing sprint international Frances Katirewa sat in the seven seat for Swansea's senior women, who lost to Cardiff, but coached the novice women's eight."It was an incredible win for the novice eight," she said. "I've been coaching them since October with the hope of a Varsity win at the forefront of their minds and then coming here today to win in very tricky conditions. I am so proud of them".Welsh Rowing senior national coach James Walker said the event was "a great opportunity" to talent spot on a pathway for rowers to go on to represent Wales and Great Britain."It was great to see Welsh internationals like Kiera Delaney and Menna Sutton on the water for Cardiff's women, but it was also an opportunity for other rowers to get into the spotlight," Walker said."We have rowers with Welsh vests here today, but in the past this event has seen competitors like Tom Barras and Josh Bugajski row for Cardiff and then go on to represent Wales and medal for GB at the Olympics."
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rugby player given nine-match ban for racist abuse
A 20-year-old university rugby player has been banned for nine matches – with three suspended – and forced to undertake a racism course after calling an opposition team member a 'ch---y s---' during a British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) match. Joe Cooper of Hartpury University was found guilty of 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game' by a Rugby Football Union independent disciplinary panel earlier this month after aiming the racial slur at a University of Bristol player during a match in January. The panel found that because 'the highly offensive, racist term was directed towards the player because of his race, this incident was so serious that only a top-end entry point was appropriate. Taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, the panel concluded that an entry point of 18 matches was appropriate.' However, in mitigation, that sentence was reduced by 50 per cent, with three matches suspended until the end of the 2025/26 season. The panel highlighted how Cooper had accepted the charge, had a good disciplinary record, was young and inexperienced and had apologised profusely for his conduct. The 20-year-old 'must also undertake the Tackling Racism course by the end of April', the verdict read. The incident occurred on January 22 and left the victim 'in tears', according to Bristol's head of rugby. 'He was in lots of shock and clearly visibly upset,' they added. 'He then repeated to me that he had been called a 'ch---y s---'. I asked him if he was aware who said it, to which he replied: 'No, I didn't see but I know when it was so I might tell from the footage.' While leaving the field the Hartpury coach apologised to him stating that he would take this very seriously and that he was already investigating the incident to find out who said the remark.' The victim told the panel: 'When the words were said, I didn't know how to feel. I was in shock as I didn't expect to hear what I heard, especially in a rugby game. Afterwards, once my adrenalin had passed and the final whistle blew, I was still in so much shock but additionally was visibly feeling upset and hurt. Fortunately, I have a good group of lads around me who were able to comfort me and help me hold my head up. The following day, I was still very surprised those words had been said but I tried to just forget about it to not let it get in the way of my day. However, when it did come across my mind I was still just upset.' The panel highlighted how Hartpury had held a player-led meeting in the aftermath of the match and, although not involved, Cooper 'heard of the event and came forward, admitting responsibility for his actions and using abusive language'. Hartpury carried out an internal disciplinary process and suspended Cooper, who 'apologised wholeheartedly for his conduct which he candidly accepted was utterly inappropriate', from training and playing for six weeks. The written judgment outlines how, after the incident, Hartpury held a team meeting to reinforce the expectations of the group and mentions the bystander training, leadership training and code of conduct training carried out by the squad every year. Hartpury also suggested for there to be a restorative meeting between the pair in order to educate Cooper on how this has affected the victim. The panel added: 'Whilst making it clear that they were thoroughly disappointed by [Cooper's] conduct, representatives from Hartpury did speak in support of him generally and said that this was entirely out of character.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Rugby player given nine-match ban for racist abuse
A 20-year-old university rugby player has been banned for nine matches – with three suspended – and forced to undertake a racism course after calling an opposition team member a 'ch---y s---' during a British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) match. Joe Cooper of Hartpury University was found guilty of 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game' by a Rugby Football Union independent disciplinary panel earlier this month after aiming the racial slur at a University of Bristol player during a match in January. The panel found that because 'the highly offensive, racist term was directed towards the player because of his race, this incident was so serious that only a top-end entry point was appropriate. Taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, the panel concluded that an entry point of 18 matches was appropriate.' However, in mitigation, that sentence was reduced by 50 per cent, with three matches suspended until the end of the 2025/26 season. The panel highlighted how Cooper had accepted the charge, had a good disciplinary record, was young and inexperienced and had apologised profusely for his conduct. The 20-year-old 'must also undertake the Tackling Racism course by the end of April', the verdict read. The incident occurred on January 22 and left the victim 'in tears', according to Bristol's head of rugby. 'He was in lots of shock and clearly visibly upset,' they added. 'He then repeated to me that he had been called a 'ch---y s---'. I asked him if he was aware who said it, to which he replied: 'No, I didn't see but I know when it was so I might tell from the footage.' While leaving the field the Hartpury coach apologised to him stating that he would take this very seriously and that he was already investigating the incident to find out who said the remark.' The victim told the panel: 'When the words were said, I didn't know how to feel. I was in shock as I didn't expect to hear what I heard, especially in a rugby game. Afterwards, once my adrenalin had passed and the final whistle blew, I was still in so much shock but additionally was visibly feeling upset and hurt. Fortunately, I have a good group of lads around me who were able to comfort me and help me hold my head up. The following day, I was still very surprised those words had been said but I tried to just forget about it to not let it get in the way of my day. However, when it did come across my mind I was still just upset.' The panel highlighted how Hartpury had held a player-led meeting in the aftermath of the match and, although not involved, Cooper 'heard of the event and came forward, admitting responsibility for his actions and using abusive language'. Hartpury carried out an internal disciplinary process and suspended Cooper, who 'apologised wholeheartedly for his conduct which he candidly accepted was utterly inappropriate', from training and playing for six weeks. The written judgment outlines how, after the incident, Hartpury held a team meeting to reinforce the expectations of the group and mentions the bystander training, leadership training and code of conduct training carried out by the squad every year. Hartpury also suggested for there to be a restorative meeting between the pair in order to educate Cooper on how this has affected the victim. The panel added: 'Whilst making it clear that they were thoroughly disappointed by [Cooper's] conduct, representatives from Hartpury did speak in support of him generally and said that this was entirely out of character.'
