It’s been another hugely successful season for Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s Women’s Football and Futsal Academies, culminating in them taking all three league titles.
Hartpury University’s Women’s Futsal
The Hartpury University Women’s Futsal team have won the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Women’s Futsal Premier League (South Division). This is their first season in this league, having progressed from winning the BUCS Women’s Futsal Western Tier 1 League in 2022.
The team won eight of their 10 games played, finishing on 25 points with a draw and just one loss making up the remainder of their fixtures. Having achieved first position, they faced Loughborough in the quarterfinals where they came out on top with a 5-1 victory. In the semi-finals, a 8-7 victory against Nottingham secured them a place in the final on 10 May 2023 against Durham (North Division league winners).
BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science student and BUCS Futsal Coach, Lewis Morrissey, said: “The opportunity to coach the Hartpury University Women’s Futsal squad this season has been exciting. I’m proud of what the girls have achieved and I’m hoping that this success continues for Hartpury futsal. This is my fourth year at Hartpury after taking a placement year working with Worcester Futsal Club (now Hartpury Futsal Club) and Waterside Karori Football Club. The experience I’ve gained whilst being at Hartpury has been invaluable and my confidence as a coach has really grown. It’s been great to be part of a squad that’s so determined to do well, and I can’t wait to see their progress moving forward.”
Hartpury University’s Women’s Football
The Hartpury University Women’s Football team have won the BUCS Aldi Women’s Western Tier 1 League and now stand a chance of making the BUCS Premier League if they beat Hertfordshire in their playoff fixture on 5 April 2023. This will be the biggest game that the women’s university team has played in, but they’ll arrive in good form having won nine of the 10 games played.
Head Coach of the Hartpury University Women’s Football team, Toni Butcher, said: “What a season for this talented group of players and staff. We’ve grown significantly as a team over the last four years and built real depth within the squad.
“Coming to the end of the season, I couldn’t be prouder of the team. I have seen every single one of the players develop on and off the field. They keep me on my toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Hartpury College’s Women’s Football
The Hartpury College Women’s Football team are the winners of Group C of the ECFA Performance League for the second year in a row. They’ve also progressed through to the League Cup Final which takes place on 4 May 2023 at Accrington Stanley. They’ll face South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
By winning the league, the team qualified to compete in a knockout cup competition where they beat Bridgwater Taunton College (League winners of Group F) 4-0 in the quarter-finals of the ECFA Performance League playoff. They’ll head to the semi-finals on 26 April 2023 and have been drawn away to either York College or Thomas Telford who will play their quarter-final on 12 April 2023.
Women’s Football and Futsal Academy Manager, Leah Burridge, said: “It’s been another fantastic year for the Women’s Football and Futsal Academy at Hartpury. All teams within our programme have been able to win their respective leagues with three out of three titles across our women’s football and futsal teams.
“Senior football and futsal, and our junior women’s first team, will have playoff fixtures or finals to play which will decide the overall winners in the country as well as which league they’ll be competing in next year. As an academy, we look forward to the challenges and being able to compete against some strong opposition.
“The programme has developed into something unique and I’m certain that it will continue to develop into the best university and college women’s football and futsal academy in the country.”
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport (Football) student and player in the Hartpury College Women’s Football team, Maia Clark, said: “I think the Hartpury College football programme has really helped me develop as an athlete. The coaches and facilities have enabled to work on my weaknesses, and we have a great gym programme that I take part in twice a week.”
Clark, who was recently selected to play for the England Colleges National Team, added: “I believe Hartpury’s support has helped me with being selected to represent my country, which is a real privilege.
“They provide quality training that’s spaced out within the week, works with your studies, and helps you to perform at your best.”
Sport at Hartpury
There’s no better time to join Hartpury University or Hartpury College if you’re passionate about football or futsal. Students studying a range of diplomas, undergraduate, and postgraduate degrees are supported to train and compete across a total of 10 competitive Sports Academies. Opportunities to play recreational sports are also available through our Students’ Union and Hartpury Active project. An elite sports environment helps those wishing to progress in their career as an athlete to make use of qualified support and coaching staff, as well as links with industry and professional clubs – all whilst gaining a high-quality education.
Athletes benefit from access to a variety of outstanding sports technology, which has received over £10 million investment in recent years. It’s just one of the reasons our students rated us third in the UK for Facilities in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards, 2022. Facilities include a new £250,000 sports performance gym, performance analysis suite, double sports hall with integrated analysis cameras, and a team of qualified coaches and staff covering areas including physiotherapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning, psychology, and performance lifestyle.
