University News Last updated 06 April 2023
Birmingham City University (BCU) will be helping “break down barriers” when it transforms its sports headquarters at The Pavilion in Perry Barr to stage an inclusive rugby union tournament for 47 teams from across Europe.
The IGR Union Cup, which runs from Friday 28 April to Sunday 30 April, will also benefit from sports therapy and physiotherapy support from BCU staff and students.
BCU stepped in to assist the Birmingham Bulls, an inclusive rugby team based in the city’s Gay Village, after it won the right to host the international tournament back in 2017.
The three-day event, which has attracted entries from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands as well as the United Kingdom, should have taken pace in 2021 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tournament organiser Alistair Burford said: “We couldn’t have put this event on without the massive support of BCU. It’s a huge logistical challenge and the university has been a big help.
“We’ve had a lot of local backing from clubs, who are providing volunteers and equipment because they want the tournament to be a success. So many clubs are supporting our passion to bring this tournament to Birmingham. There will be a real buzz in the city.”
BCU’s sports facilities at The Pavilion in Moor Lane are currently home to nine football pitches and just one rugby pitch but will undergo a significant revamp for the Union Cup.
Football posts will come down and rugby posts will go up so that eight matches can take place simultaneously to cater for the huge interest.
BCU’s MSc Physiotherapy and BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy students will also be on hand to provide pre- and post-match care to players, from taping and massaging to injury assessment.
The additional support effort is being led by Claire Jones, a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at BCU, and will give students valuable event experience.
Mark Jeffreys, Director of BCU Sport, said: “It’s great to see an event of this size taking place at BCU facilities and with the help of the university. BCU’s mission is to be the university for the city, so this factors in brilliantly with what we strive to do.”
Burford, who plays for Birmingham Bulls, believes the event, which will begin with an opening ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday 27 April, will serve two purposes.
“It’s all about breaking down barriers and building relationships,” he said. “Rugby has a reputation of being Uber-masculine, but it’s a game for everyone. It’s why our theme this tournament is ‘One Love’- the shared love of the sport, irrespective of age, ability, gender or sexuality.
Burford estimates the Union Cup could bring £3.6m to the local economy.
“Yes, it’s a rugby tournament, but people will be out partying most nights,” he said. “The rugby is important, but it’s also a social event. It’s a chance for people to come together.”
For more information and to book tickets, visit the tournament’s official website: https://unioncuprugby.com/