Latest news from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
24 Sep 2014
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport to compete in new National Badminton League
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport will be competing in the new National Badminton League (NBL) – the UK’s first ever professional national league - which starts this autumn.
The game-changing NBL begins on 6th October 2014 and matches will be televised live on Sky Sports, as well as globally to over 10 million homes in 16 countries via Eurosport Asia-Pacific. Matches will also be streamed live on the Internet.
The league matches will include a new game format, unique scoring system and dynamic in-game features.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport is one of six teams in the league and will be in action for the first time against Team Derby on 3rd November in a televised home fixture at the Sir David Wallace Sports Hall.
The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport team contains a blend of international and national players, alongside graduates and current students.
Henri Hurskainen, who represented Sweden at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Linda Zetchiri, the Bulgarian number 1, have been recruited to add international experience to the men’s and women’s singles events.
In the doubles events Commonwealth Games medallists Lauren Smith and Jenny Wallwork will be joined by England international player Marcus Ellis.
Graduates Peter Briggs and Harley Towler, members of the BADMINTON England performance programme and BUCS men’s doubles gold medallists during their time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, are also part of the squad.
They are joined by current students Chloe Birch, who received her first senior England call up in February 2014, as well as Greg Mairs, Viki Williams and Jenny Moore.
Alan Buzza, Franchise Manager for the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport Badminton team said:
“I am delighted that º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport will be competing in the first ever National Badminton League. We are proud of our reputation for sporting excellence and hope to compete strongly at the top of the league.
“I very much hope that our students, fellow staff and the local community will come and support our new team. It’s a great opportunity to watch some of the best national and international badminton players in action.”
Tickets are now on general sale with prices starting at £8 for adults and £5 for children. Full ticket details and fixtures can be found at:
http://tickets.sky.com/Badminton/?DCMP=ext-LboroSport-NBL
Notes for editors
Article reference number: PR 14/168
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, putting it among the best universities in the world, and was named Sports University of the Year 2013-14 by The Times and Sunday Times. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is ranked in the top fifteen of UK universities and has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
In 2015 the University will open an additional academic campus in London’s new innovation quarter. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ in London, based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will offer postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.
Contact for all media enquiries
Rob Knott
PR Officer (Sport)
Marketing and Communications
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
T: 01509 228686
E: R.A.Knott@lboro.ac.uk