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University of Sussex Media Release.
. Sporting Stars Support New University Programme

8 November 2000
For immediate release

An initiative to increase sporting performance and excellence at the University of Sussex has its official launch on Saturday, November 11.

Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson and Romek Kriwald, director of the Brighton Bears basketball club, will be attending a gala event at the Brighton Centre's Skyline Restaurant to celebrate the start of the Focus Sport Programme, which is a joint initiative between the University, the Brighton Bears, Sussex Magic and Lewes Hockey Club.

The programme is designed to raise sporting standards at the University through quality coaching and support services, such as fitness tests and specific training programmes. Four focus squads in basketball and hockey have been selected. The men's basketball teams are being coached by Bears player Dave Wahl. The hockey squads are also fortunate to have secured the services of ex-South African goalkeeper Chris Hibbert.

"The University is well placed to support both hockey and basketball development," says Karen Dunster, head of sport at the University. "In addition to receiving Sport England lottery funding for a new all-weather hockey pitch, we are one of the few centres in the region able to boast two sports halls."

The long-term aim of the programme, in addition to improving sporting performance, will be to provide scholarships to help attract students who wish to have support to play sport at a high level alongside their academic studies.

The launch on Saturday will follow a televised viewing of The Bears games against the unbeaten British Basketball Leage team the Chester Jets. Their director Romek Kriwald has been particularly supportive of the programme and held a successful children's basketball camp at the University last summer.

Notes for editors

For further information, please contact Karen Dunster, Head of Sport, Tel: 01273 678228.

For further information please contact Jacqui Bealing or Alison Field, Press Office, University of Sussex, Tel. 01273 678888, Fax 01273 877456, email J.A.Bealing@sussex.ac.uk or A.Field@sussex.ac.uk.

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