2 Bath students and 2 Bath alumni have been selected for Team GB, for the forth coming World Student Games (WUGs) in Belgrade
2 University of Bath students and 2 University of Bath alumni have been selected for Team GB, for the forth coming World Student Games (WUGs) in Belgrade. All 4 athletes are footballers who have, in their time represented TeamBath football club as well as the University teams that compete in the BUCS competition. WUG’s, which takes place every two years, is the highest level of university competition. There are 11 sports on show, including Artistic Gymnastics and Diving. This years competition gets underway, with the opening ceremony on the 30th June.
The 2 current students, Grace McCatty (Bristol Academy FC) and Lauren Wells (AFC TeamBath), both have representative honors for their respective countries and youth level, and for Lauren, at senior level also.
Gary Warren (TeamBath FC) and Matthew Townley (TeamBath FC) join previous premiership caliber players in the men’s GBR team, coached byGraeme Dell. This is the second occasion that Matt will be representing Team GB, having traveled to Bangkok in summer 2007 also.
Both squads travel to Belgrade with high hopes of returning with medals. In the previous WUG’s, in Bangkok the women’s GBR football squad narrowly lost 1-0 to Russia in the knockout rounds, eventually finishing 7th overall. The men’s GBR football squad finished one place lower in 8th after being knocked out at the quarter final stage by Canada.
For more information on their progress during the tournament, follow this link:
Special thanks to the Alumni office who have helped financially support the women to be able to attend.
To see the full BUCS press releases click the links below:
Meet the Players:
Matt Townley – Alumni
Matt has worked his way through the Team Bath FC set-up to establish himself as a first-teamer. Matt was named Team Bath FC’s second team player of the year for 2003/4, the versatile midfielder or fullback.
Matt has also captained the University of Bath team in British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) competitions.
Previously with Southampton youth and Bath City, he has worked his way through the ranks to establish himself as a first teamer. Now in his fifth season, Matt has played over 150 matches for the club. Can play either in midfield or defense and was one of the players of the round in the FA Cup last season.
Gary Warren – Alumni
Gary is now in his third season with the TeamBath FC having joined in the summer of 2007 from Mangotsfied United where he made over 200 appearances. Gary has made nearly 50 appearances for the club. Warren has been outstanding form this season, at the heart of the TeamBath defense and has proved a truly inspirational skipper for the team.
Grace McCatty – Student
Before joining Bristol academy, Grace was at school studying GCSEs and playing football for Gloucester City LFC, as well as County U18s and centre of excellence level. Grace has been training regularly with Bristol Rovers and got into an England under 19s and under 23’s training camp. In the future she aims to play football at the highest level possible, if possible for her country – England and play regular football in a Premiership team.
Lauren Wells – Student
Lauren started playing football at the age of 10 for Reading Royals (then changed to Reading Girls)
At 16 she went to Arsenal Ladies Football Academy for 2 years whilst playing for Arsenal Ladies.
Lauren then moved to Bath University and joined Cardiff Ladies. After 3 months she moved to Bristol City for first team football and now has moved to Team Bath.