University Sports Clubs look forward to a top year in 2006

The University of Dundee's sports teams head into 2006 with great optimism that medals and trophies will come their way this year after they ended 2005 on an unprecedented high.

Following on from individual successes from athletes including runner Morag MacLarty and swimmer Ross Clark, both selected to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March, teams in everything from archery to volleyball have been performing at a high level.

"We had an excellent year in 2005 and it is really exciting looking forward to the British University championships in 2006 because at this point it looks like we will be very well represented," said James Rea, President of Dundee University Sports Union.

"We've got two or three teams already qualified for the national championships even though the regional sections don't finish until February. Our ladies volleyball team have been undefeated, and both the ladies and men's rugby teams have been doing extremely well and will also be at the British championships."

"The hockey teams are doing very well and we were delighted when our hurling team reclaimed the British title in November."

"The great thing is that these aren't isolated success stories. Right across the board we have teams who are at the top or near the top of their respective leagues. These things do tend to go in cycles, but I don't think we've ever been at the top of a cycle where so many teams have been performing so well at the same time."

There have also been successes in archery, basketball, boxing, karate, skiing and trampolining.

As well as quality, the University sports teams are also attracting quantity - with 148 members the Rucksack Club is the second biggest club in the country.

"It is a great thing for the University because success helps keep people interested in competing, and it is also attractive when people are looking at coming to Dundee, seeing that there is a very active and competitive sports set-up," said James.