Students have travelled to Lodz, Poland, to represent Team Hallam in water polo, karate and climbing events with the competition starting on Sunday 17 July.
The Games take place every two years, bringing together the best university athletes across Europe. Lodz will host 5,000 students representing over 400 European universities from 40 countries between July 17 and 30. This year, the 17 students represent the biggest team to ever represent Hallam at the games.
Team Hallam’s men's climbing team which consists of Jim Pop, Kieran Forrest and Elias Bignold will head out to Lodz as the number one British seed after their BUCS team gold medal earlier this year.
Aderonke Ogunsanwo will be heading to the Games with a European medal on her mind after her BUCS Gold medal earlier this year. Aderonke is using the European Universities Games as a warm-up competition ahead of the karate Commonwealth competition, which she will be competing at in August.
Team Hallam’s Water Polo team head out to Poland as the only British water polo team, competing against some of the best water polo athletes in the World. For many of the team this will be their first international competition.
The students will have their cost of entry, flights, accommodation, kit and training covered by the Cantor fund and further support from Santander Universities. Both the Cantor fund and Santander Universities have funded scholarships and bursaries at Hallam since 2014 so that students can take up international experiences.
Thanks to the funding the students will be able to take up the highest opportunity to represent Team Hallam and play on the European stage.
Performance Sport Co-ordinator Jordan Butler said: “It is amazing to see so many of our student athletes flying the Team Hallam flag at one of the highest levels within university sport. I am proud of what our student athletes have achieved to reach this competition and it is credit to not only the athletes but the team that work hard every day to support our student athletes with their dual careers. I am excited to watch the teams progress in this competition and wish all the athletes the best of luck for the Games ahead.”
Hallam will also be represented at the World University Championships this year, with student Chloe Potter competing in orienteering.
Chloe said: “I feel very honoured to have the opportunity to represent GB and Team Hallam in Switzerland this year. I’m really looking forward to competing and the support I have received from Hallam has been greatly appreciated.”
