Baseball, Softball and Wheelchair Basketball have all been announced as new additions for the upcoming delayed BUCS season.
The extraordinary season, which is set to kick-off in January, will now feature over 50 sports for the first time.
The addition of Wheelchair Basketball in particular is a move made by BUCS to open up competitive university sports to everyone, no matter what background and challenges faced. The sport is BUCS’ first fully inclusive sport.
Jo Richards, Participation Director at British Wheelchair Basketball said: “As a truly inclusive team sport we feel we can really bring something different to the BUCS portfolio with our ‘Reverse Inclusion’ approach which allows all ages, genders, abilities and disabilities to compete on a level playing field”.
Joining Wheelchair Basketball in BUCS leagues for the first time is baseball and softball.
Both sports are already well subscribed within University’s across the UK and are expected to be become even more popular with the addition of nation-wide competition.
Stirling University Baseball Club President Damon Savenelli said: “We are really excited to be part of BUCS this year, it presents a great opportunity for the development of baseball within the UK and our club. We hope this is the first of many seasons within the league.”
He added: “We have not been able to play any baseball since March due to the pandemic, but we are doing everything within out power to get back to training in September and maybe even play some friendlies”.
Director of Delivery for BUCS, Jenny Morris said: “At this time, it is important for us to continue to support students with staying active with a view to getting back to playing sport.
“These new sports are valuable in creating more opportunities for students to get involved, moving and engaged with university sport when we return to play”.
As Stirling University opens its doors to students for the first time since March, Sports President Edd Keeler is pleased to have three more BUCS sports on offer for students.
He said: “I’m happy that different sports are being added to the BUCS group, particularly from the accessibility point, and I really hope that it is successful.
“I think that the more sports we have, the more people we can get into sports because every person is suited to a different sport, so it’s always a good thing to have more sports on offer.
“I am hopeful for all the teams and look forward to seeing their success”.
Featured Image: Stirling University Baseball
4th Year Journalism Studies and Politics Student at Stirling University. Sports Editor. Bylines in Brig Newspaper and The Oban Times
