BBSA honoured at UOB reception

British Bobsleigh and Skeleton athletes, staff and officials were special guests at a University of Bath reception to celebrate the team’s outstanding season on Monday afternoon.

Hosted by the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian White, the event gave both organisations a chance to discuss the importance of their partnership against the backdrop of 80 international medals for our bobsleigh and skeleton teams in just four-and-a-half months of racing in 2022/23.

Professor White and the University’s Director of Sport, Stephen Baddeley, spoke of their pride in their association with the BBSA, while BBSA Director Ian Richardson and leading athletes Brad Hall and Matt Weston thanked the University for their support in helping the team achieve such success last season and over a prolonged period since Bath became the home of both sports.

“It’s been an outstanding season for both British Bobsleigh and British Skeleton and we’re very grateful for the opportunity to celebrate that with the University of Bath,” said Richardson.

The BBSA has a longstanding relationship with the University of Bath and this has been our home for a considerable time now. During that period, the University and its staff has played a part in some wonderful achievements, and that was again the case last season.

“The push track facility has been a central pillar of both sports' preparations for the sliding season and we believe its quality helps us offset the huge disadvantage our programmes face in not having an ice track here in the United Kingdom. Our teams train in the gyms and on the sprint tracks at the University so this is where much of our success is built. 

“But it isn’t just the facilities that help us achieve our aims of being the best in the world - the relationships that we have built as teams or individuals over the years also make a difference and we look forward to continuing those on the road to the next Olympic Winter Games and beyond.”

Other attendees included Deputy Mayor of Bath, Councillor Dr Bharat Pankhania, and the Lord-Lieutenant for Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, as well as staff at the UK Sports Institute and UK Sport. 

Brad Hall spoke at Monday's event, as did Matt Weston