Saturday May 12 represented the culmination of a year of hard work for the University of Birmingham Sport (UBSport) Lifesaving club as they triumphed at the final League meeting of the season, and took home 5 medals to capture a league double.
Even before the fixture at Loughborough University began, Birmingham’s B team had already secured the top spot in the B League after a season of medal winning success. The A team however still had work to do, but a medal finishing position here would ensure that they took home the championship.
In the first event of the day, where competitors faced a complex festival first aid situation, both the A and B team drew compliments from the judges to grab the gold and bronze medals respectively.
The next first aid situation involved completing a task near a pool whilst ensuring that no one’s safety was impeded. Once again, quick and effective rescues from the A team allowed them to take first place in the event. The C team also put in a fantastic performance at this second challenge of the day, taking third place.
Teams were also tested on their speed in response to a number of life-threatening situations, as well as tow and medley relay events. In these, Birmingham’s A team finished in 3rd and 4th places respectively to ensure that the team would grab the coveted A League Trophy and secure a monumental league double for the Birmingham side.
Following the season of success, Club Captain Luke Peel revealed that he was delighted to be a part in the success of the team: “This season has been a very exciting one, with the league positions always under contest from top universities around the country. It makes me very proud to have been involved with the club during this time and to have succeeded so triumphantly in both leagues makes all of the brilliant work from the training team and competitors completely worthwhile. I look forward to seeing similar results in the future.”