Sport

SPORT LIVERPOOL

EX-ENGLAND COACH TO OPENS NEW UNI SPORTS ENTERPRISE

The University of Liverpool has this year launched its exciting sporting initiative. Not only that, but a famous alumni, former England rugby league great Phil Clarke will be at the official opening to cut the ribbon, at a ceremony taking place in February 2008.

‘Sport Liverpool’ is a new project formed this year primarily to help students on many levels, but to also promote the University in their many sports leagues, ranging from American football to Lacrosse to Fencing. The newly formed association is centrally run by a new Sports Development Team who will assist the democratically elected Athletics Union and support departments for the 49 clubs who represent the University of Liverpool. As well as providing improved facilities, increased support and promoting sporting opportunities at the University, the venture will aid the 7,500 members of the sports centre.

Sport Liverpool is the brainchild of Director of Sport, Andy Craig, a man with a keen eye for development and improvement. Known for his success with the England University Volleyball team, Craig has vision and integrity in abundance.

With the University currently languishing at 33rd in the British league table and with vast possibilities already on offer, he realises that the foundations are already in place; they just need to be ‘tweaked’ and expanded upon. “We have a new, dynamic vision and innovative ideas coupled with experienced staff and a fantastic sporting heritage,” says Craig. “Sport and physical activity can bring numerous social, health and educational benefits”.

Although students and staff may not see immediate alterations, change will definitely be happening. As well as fine-tuning the infrastructure of sporting facilities (Wyncote Sports Ground has already seen major development in 2004), there will also be even more opportunities for budding athletes. There will be 150 athletics scholarships on offer over the next three years – Craig aims to reach the top 15 of British Leagues within that time. “This is a huge challenge,” admits Craig, “but we all believe passionately that the University of Liverpool, with its proud sporting heritage, should be competing much better on a national scale.”

One person who knows about competing nationally is Phil Clarke, the former manager of Great Britain rugby league team, who will formally open the project on the 13th February 2008.

‘Clarkey’ has strong North-West connections and can be seen working as a pundit on Sky Sports Rugby League. With plenty of experience in the game as both a player and manager, he was seen as an obvious choice. The former University of Liverpool student started off at Wigan Warriors, going on to make 154 appearances. However, after joining the Australian team Sydney Roosters, the second-row’s career was cut short after suffering a broken neck in his debut season Down Under.

Due to his love of the game, Phil took up the reins of the Great Britain Lions only to leave in March 2006; despite this, he still remains a rugby league great.

“Being an ex-student, we felt having someone like Phil would set a great example”, says Andy Craig, a notion that is probably echoed around the University.

The fact that the University has such connections is just the tip of this sporting iceberg: as well as a link between Rugby Union giants Sale Sharks, there is also the opportunity for professional coaching at Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, the venue for The Open Championship in 2006. There are also many noteworthy Liverpool sporting alumni, the Reading manager Steve Coppell and Liverpool legend Brian Hall included.

With such vision and envious links, this exciting new venture is looking beneficial for everyone involved with the University. “The future is very exciting indeed,” Craig states, a sentiment that will no doubt be made even more apparent very soon.

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