BUCS Big Wednesday 2024

On Wednesday 20 March, six University of Edinburgh teams travelled to Loughborough University to take part in the BUCS National Trophy and Championship Finals.

Students competed in hockey, squash, volleyball, water polo, badminton and fencing bringing home an impressive medal haul.

In the first final of the event, Edinburgh University Women's Hockey 2XI took on Bournemouth 1XI in the ICG Trophy finals. The team took an early 1-0 lead in an end-to-end first half, before dominating in the second half, to take the title with a 3-0 win. BUCS Player of the Match was awarded to defender Georgie Barlow.

Squash Women's 2's faced Birmingham 1's in the Trophy final. Despite some impressive play against a strong opposition team, the Edinburgh squad, consisting of Lauren Hall, Florie Moir, Lily Vigor and captain Giovanna Weykopf, eventually succumbed to a 4-0 loss.

Edinburgh also faced Bournemouth University in the Volleyball Trophy Finals, with the Women's 1's take on Bournemouth 1's. With an early injury for the Edinburgh side the opposition claimed the first set. The Edinburgh team dominated in the second quarter and continued to demonstrate their talent to secure a 3-1 win with Julia Steen taking home most valuable player. 

The men's Water Polo 1's faced Durham, a repeat of last year's closely contested Championship final match. Despite a strong start and a tight score throughout the game ended in a 14 - 19 loss for the Edinburgh side.

Women's Fencing 1's looked to take the Championship Trophy home for a 7th consecutive year as they faced a strong Oxford Women's 1's side. After losing the first weapon in a closely contested match, the team took to the piste to claim victories in the Epee and Sabre to win with a final score of 128 - 124.

Badminton  Women's 1's took on Nottingham Women's 2's in the final event of the day. A fantastic performance from the team secured gold with 2 games to play, with a final score of 5-3 to the Edinburgh side.

The event was an excellent display of sport from universities across the UK. Edinburgh demonstrated incredible skill, determination and sportsmanship throughout the event.