Sporting Challenge

The sporting prowess of past and present University of Teesside sports teams will clash on Saturday 27 November as current students take on graduate teams at a host of sports, including basketball, hockey, rugby, canoeing and football.

Around a hundred graduates will return to the university to participate in the annual tournament, facing stiff competition from the current students. As usual the tournament rounds off Academic Awards week and this year the Present teams are hoping to regain the Vice-Chancellor’s cup (awarded to the overall winning team) from the Past teams.

Sarah Jane Irving, the University’s Alumni Officer said: “This great event is a real opportunity for graduates to continue their involvement with the University, plus a chance to take part in sporting events in our exciting new buildings. Maintaining relationships with graduates is key to all our alumni operations.”

Paula Szucs-Jones from the University’s Sports and Recreation team has organised the annual competition for 13 years. She said: “This year’s tournament promises to be the best to date. The event has grown considerably over the years and now features as a key date in the diary of graduates and current students alike.”

The sports tournament will predominately take place in the University’s new £6.5m Olympia Building on Victoria Road, Middlesbrough. The Olympia Building, formally opened this year by the Prime Minister Tony Blair, includes a sports hall the size of six badminton courts capable of staging major tournaments, squash courts and also a host of research facilities including a temperature-controlled environmental chamber.

The tournament is organised by the University’s Student Services department with support from the Alumni Association, Vice-Chancellor’s Executive and the University of Teesside Students’ Union.

For more information contact Paula Szucs-Jones, 01642 342267 or email: p.szucs-jones@tees.ac.uk

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