Talented athletes ready for World University Games action in Taipei

 

TASS athletes are aiming to bring medals home from Chinese Taipei this month at the 29th Summer Universiade (the World University Games).

Taking place between 19 – 30 August, almost a third of the Great British team set to compete have been supported by the Scheme during their sporting careers.

Sixteen current TASS athletes – including pole vaulter Charlie Myers (Northumbria University), taekwondo’s Courtney Eardley (Sheffield Hallam University) and table tennis star Daniel Reed (University of Nottingham) – will be joined by eighteen TASS alumni to fly the flag for Team GB.

The World University Games is a formidable step in the sporting pathway and with nearly 10,000 athletes from 170 nations, it is the second largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympics.

The team will be looking to build on the success of the last Games in Gwangju, South Korea in 2015, where Team GBR brought home 11 medals – 3 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze.

University of Nottingham‘s Daniel Reed is looking forward to the opportunity to represent his country, “I’m really proud to be selected for the GB team,” he said.

“I’ve come close to selection for the 3-man GB team for the Olympics on two occasions but always didn’t quite make it, so this will be by first time representing GB.”

“My biggest achievements in sport so far has been winning three Commonwealth Games medals and TASS support has massively contributed to this success.”

The 27-year-old has benefited from TASS support – including core services like physiotherapy, nutrition and a private medical scheme – for four years alongside his studies for an MSc in Brain Imaging.

“It’s been brilliant. The extra support has pushed all the players in the squad to improve. Both Lifestyle and S&C have enabled me to balance a difficult degree with maintaining a high standard of training throughout the season.

“I think this is one of the key factors that led to our [University of Nottingham] success at the European University Championships, where we won three medals altogether”

“After Taipei I will be continuing to play but combining this with full-time employment, and I hope to maintain a high level.”

Meanwhile, taekwondo player Courtney Eardley is hoping the Games will be an important stepping stone on the road to Tokyo 2020. She said:

“My ultimate ambition is to represent GB as their -49kg senior athlete at the Olympics. To do so I’ll have to gain Olympic ranking points by competing internationally.

“So far my greatest achievement has been competing at the World Championships in South Korea this year. I was over the moon with my performances and I held my own against the reigning Olympic champion.”

Eardley currently receives TASS support from Delivery Site, Sheffield Hallam University. “The physio support has made training possible,” she explained.

“And the nutritionist has given me advice about how I can maintain weight. This has been particularly helpful with taekwondo being a weight making sport.

“Training has been going really well for me. My coach and I put together a plan of action ahead of the Games so I’m confident I can achieve my goals in Taipei.”

The 34 TASS athletes who will be representing Great Britain at the Taipei 2017 World University Games are:

  • Andrew Brooks (Archery) – 2013/14, 2014/15
  • Jack Masefield (Archery) – 2013/14, 2014/15
  • Samuel Osewa (Athletics – 100m) – 2013/14
  • Jonathan Davies (Athletics – 1500m) – 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Zak Seddon (Athletics – 3000m SC) – 2011/12
  • Jacob Paul (Athletics – 400m H) – 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16
  • Charlie Myers (Athletics – Pole Vault) – 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Alicia Barrett (Athletics – 100m H) – 2016/17
  • Megan Walsh (Football) – 2011/12, 2013/14, 2015/16
  • Eloise Wilson (Football) – 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Emma Kelly (Football) – 2015/16
  • Joe Litchfield (Swimming) – 2014/15
  • Daniel Reed (Table Tennis) – 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2016/17
  • Adam Harrison (Table Tennis) – 2012/13, 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Maria Tsaptsinos (Table Tennis) – 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Yolanda King (Table Tennis) – 2010/11, 2011/12, 2015/16
  • Courtney Eardley (Taekwondo) – 2016/17
  • Jacob Barnett (Taekwondo) – 2013/14
  • Olivia Nicholls (Tennis) – 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Emma Hurst (Tennis) – 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Mark Whitehouse (Tennis) – 2014/15, 2015/16
  • Lauren Tasker (Water Polo) – 2012/13, 2014/15
  • Katie Hesketh (Water Polo) – 2012/13, 2014/15
  • Isobel Howe (Water Polo) – 2016/17
  • Emma Bartlett (Water Polo) – 2009/10, 2012/13
  • Kathryn Fowler (Water Polo) – 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2014/15
  • Courtney Dean (Water Polo) – 2012/13
  • Jordan Elliot (Water Polo) – 2016/17
  • Aaron Winstanley (Water Polo) – 2016/17
  • Lewis Daly (Water Polo) – 2014/15
  • Elliot Kelly (Water Polo) – 2012/13
  • Daniel Paddon (Water Polo) – 2016/17
  • Mercy Brown (Weightlifting) – 2015/16, 2016/17
  • Noorin Gulam (Weightlifting) – 2015/16, 2016/17