For the first time ever the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams have claimed the British Universities and Colleges Sport Championship in the same year.
The back to back wins at the University of Bath saw players Joshua Ward-Hibbert, Levi Noel, Max Richardson, Sam Broughton, Lucien Christofis and Tome Yome, who all study at Loughborough College, help Mark Jarram’s Men’s team to a 73-62 victory against Durham.
Matt Harber’s Women’s team also faced Durham in the final game, with Loughborough College alumna and player Maia Bratka and current student and Assistant Coach Ashley Cookson helping them to a 113-110 triumph after over time.
In 2015 the Women made it to the BUCS final and won while the Men’s team were defending their title this year, following their 2016 win.
“Having both the men’s and women’s teams win the BUCS Championship title at the same time shows that in only six years since we launched, we have become the strongest basketball programme in the UK,” said Loughborough College Sport Development Manager Rob Jarram, who heads the programme for the College.
“The men’s programme had not won the title for 21 years and now they have taken it two years in a row. What’s more, the performances of College players Levi, Max and Josh put all three of them in contention for Most Valuable Player.
“The success is testament to just how hard everybody works across the whole programme, from coaches to players, from our Operations Manager, Joe Pinchin, to volunteers. But despite our success we will not be complacent and will continue to improve the programme every year.”