The University of Sussex is on the brink of breaking into the top 50 sporting universities in the country, according to the latest rankings by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport). 

The BUCS league table for 2009-10, released on Friday (16 July), shows that Sussex has risen seven places to 51^st out of 145 institutions. 

Scott Sheridan, Activities Officer in the Students' Union, says the success is down to achievements of individuals and clubs, supported by the Students' Union and the University's sports service Sussexsport. He says: "We really have achieved a lot as a University this year. As an institution that does not have a taught academic sports programme, and one that still maintains a strong ethos of inclusion and self-development over elitism, this is a fantastic achievement. 

"This year has been an amazing year for sport at Sussex." 

Among those celebrating sporting success this year were a number of individuals who receive sports bursaries from the University, including:

• Three-day eventer Emily Llewellyn who represented British universities at the World University Games, and was named Sussex Young Sports Personality of the Year for the second year running;
• Lena Erdil, who was ranked the best windsurfer in the world in December and January, and is now ranked fifth;
• Graham Monaghan, who represented Scotland at the 2010 Lacrosse World Championships; and
• Cyclist Lizzy Brama, who celebrated finishing third in the BUCS 25 Mile Time Trial Championships. 

Bursaries are offered annually to Sussex sports men and women who are of an international, national or high county standard. The support package includes free use of University sports facilities; fitness testing and programming; physiotherapy/sports massage; a parking permit; a financial package; and regular mentoring sessions. 

Student teams triumphing this year included:

• The men's badminton team, who won promotion from the BUCS South-East Division 3A
• The women's basketball team, winners of the knockout trophy at the BUCS 2010 championships
• The men's football 2^nd team, who won promotion from the BUCS South-East Division 5C, and the 3^rd team, who were promoted from Division 6B
• The women's hockey 2^nd team, promoted from the BUCS South-East Division 5A
• The women's rugby team, who gained promotion from Division 2A and made the final of the South East Conference Cup
• The women's squash team, who made the final of the squash trophy at the BUCS 2010 championships 

In addition, students Megan Hurst, Nick White and Ashley Yeo were selected to represent Great Britain at the Ultimate Frisbee World Championships; staff member Kattie Lussier (Education and Social Work) won the 2010 freediving world championships in Greece; and Alistair Monteath was selected for the Great Britain Octopush (underwater hockey) team. 

Simon Tunley, Deputy Head of Sport, added: "The most positive aspect of these achievements is that the University of Sussex has consistently been in the top 60 since 2005/06, which is of great credit to all concerned and shows we are more than able to punch above our weight." 

For more information about sport at Sussex, go to www.sussexsport.com