Uni of Notts crowned Sports University of the Year, says the Sunday Times

The University of Nottingham has become the UK’s best university for sports, according to the The Times and The Sunday times Good University Guide 2021.

UoN, renowned across the country for its elite £40 million sporting facilities and consistently competitive athletes and sports teams, has now won the award for a second time in just three years.

The Times wrote, “the trigger for Nottingham’s second triumph… was last season’s British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) points table, which was topped by Nottingham at the point when the season was suspended in March, just before “big Wednesday playoffs.”

Nottingham were even a number of points ahead of long-time Midlands sporting rival, Loughborough University, before the season was declared void due to the coronavirus pandemic.

At the time, Nottingham were on track to achieve their strongest ever individual medal haul, collecting 27 gold, 22 silver and 19 bronze medals before the nationwide lockdown. Additionally, 34 teams Nottingham won their leagues and 14 teams had qualified for BUCS finals, with two more at the semi-final stage.

The Times also commented that with Nottingham’s “dual career pathway” the university has acknowledged that most sporting professionals need a second career due to low pay or injury, and this scheme helps encourage that.

UoN’s new Students’ Union Sports Officer, Josie Jessop, took to Facebook to share the exciting news.

Professor Shearer West, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Nottingham commented: “We are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious recognition for the second time in just three years, firmly positioning us at the forefront of sport in UK universities. It is a fitting reflection of our talented athletes and staff who fought hard to reach the top of the league this season.”