20 May 2009
The University of Bristol Students’ Union (UBU) have become the first student body to join forces with the British Athletes Commission, (BAC), to help forge a new online community linking the nation’s elite Olympic, Paralympic and world class athletes with the student sporting fraternity in the UK.
With three years to go to the once in a lifetime opportunity facing our nation’s elite athletes, each student body is being invited to pledge their support through the ‘Athletes in Union’ campaign being operated by the BAC under the Elite Athletes Supporters Club banner.
Dan Hewer, Athletic Union Chair of UBU, was sold on the idea immediately, when chancing upon the page on one of the many social network sites being utilised.
“The University of Bristol have provided numerous Olympians including Iain Percy and Nick Nieland, and we hope to have current and former students involved in 2012. Above all else, the members of the BAC are our athletes as well, and the idea of a free and easy opportunity for young people to interact with the athletes helps strengthen the bond.”
Peter Gardner, Chief Executive of the BAC, welcomed this immediate pledge of support.
“The University of Bristol has managed to get off to a flyer and we hope that their example is followed by their rivals across the UK. Many of our athletes have strong links with Universities across the country, and we look forward to cementing similar links with all the nation’s University sporting establishments.”
Sports loving students are being invited to join the social network groups to show their support for the nation's Elite Athletes through the BAC, the unified voice of all Olympic, Paralympic and World Class funded athletes. With a mixture of interviews, features, blogs and media feeds the students will be updated all the way as their athletes embark on their sporting journey of a lifetime.
Membership of the Elite Athletes Supporters Club is free and can be accessed via most social network sites or by visiting www.britishathletes.org . An additional Premium Membership, complete with an extensive discount directory worth up to £13,000 is also available and comes with exclusive behind the scenes features, articles, features and chances to win sporting memorabilia.
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