Glasgow Taxis Cup kicks off

Glasgow’s three universities squared off today in six venues across the city as the Glasgow Taxis Cup was decided.

Now in its 9^th year, the day-long sporting contest saw 15 different categories being competed as Glasgow, Strathclyde and Caledonian Universities took part in Scotland’s biggest student sporting event. 

The Emirates Area played host to six sports this afternoon, acting as venue for the first time in the competitions history.

Glasgow Green Football Centre, Gorbals Leisure Centre, Carrick Golf Club, Hutchesons Grammar School and the University of Strathclyde also played their part, with football, rugby, swimming, tennis, hockey, squash, athletics,  indoor cricket and golf all going ahead.

Fencing is the latest addition to the busy roster of sports which took place, with ‘Classic Team Matches (Foil)’ being fought between the mixed teams of three students from each university.

The eyes of the venues were on The University of Glasgow after they took first place last year following a nail-biting finish which came down to the final volleyball game and it was their squad who took home the trophy last night.

Caledonian University were hoping to get on the podium for the first time, having never returned home with any Silverware. Strathclyde’s disappointment was also visible after losing to their rivals in yellow and black (Glasgow) for the third year in a row, finishing behind by only one point in 2011 and 2012.

Glasgow Taxis Ltd, the city’s black taxi operator, is the main sponsor of the competition, viewed as the biggest event in the student sporting calendar. The quality is always very high with students taking the day extremely seriously hoping to get one over on their city rivals.

Speaking about the event, Colin Evans, University of Strathclyde Sports Union President said: “All of our guys played really well today and feedback from the event has been great. The Emirates is such a fantastic venue and we’re extremely grateful to Glasgow Life for allowing it to be used as venue.”

Fencing, volleyball, basketball, trampolining, badminton and netball were all taking place within the walls of the Emirates, which was the ideal venue for the final basketball match which decided the competition, as well as the closing presentations.

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Stephen Flynn, vice-chairman of Glasgow Taxis Ltd said: “The event was extremely successful and the organisers from the universities have done a great job in putting it all together. It’s great to see so many students getting involved in sport, with some future Scotland stars in their team colours.

“Over the years we’ve done a lot of work with universities, promoting getting home safely to students, which is very important to us. Our message to the winning university is after the celebrations in the city centre, make sure they get a licensed taxi from one of our Nite-Zones or by seeing the orange light.”

A number of the competitors from the day play at a senior level, including Jamie Frew, a men’s basketball player of the University of Strathclyde who is on the national Under 23 side and Glasgow University’s Calum Nicol, another basketball player who only last month narrowly lost out on becoming Scottish Cup Champions after a defeat by Edinburgh Kings.

The competition also raised over £700 for their partner charity, The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.