The news that BUCS leagues will not feature promotion and relegation has received a mixed response from UoB’s sports clubs.
‘For there to not be promotion or relegation is very frustrating,’ UoB Men’s Football captain Sam Jay Thomas told Redbrick. ‘This wasn’t the case with the [2019/20] season in which we had games remaining to decide our fate which was ultimately relegation.’
In a statement last Thursday, BUCS explained: ‘We anticipate a reduction in team entries based on the feedback we have received from the membership.
‘With a significant reduction in team entries expected, teams may find themselves pulled up into higher tiers next year.
‘Utilising the 2019-20 standings as a blueprint for 2021-22 provides the best method to continue the existing programme, which has been shaped by promotion and relegation over many seasons.’
Despite the lengthy explanation, Thomas believes his team have drawn the short straw.
If there were ever to be a season to prevent promotion and relegation, we feel it should have been last season
‘This forthcoming season was one we felt we could have definitely pushed toward promotion with all three teams competing in BUCS,’ he said. If there were ever to be a season to prevent promotion and relegation, we feel it should have been last season.’
BUCS have acknowledged that their decision will not please everyone, saying ‘it will be an understandable frustration for a number of teams that finishing top of their league in the coming year will not see them move up a tier.’
However, promotion and relegation would mean that any team unable to compete in 2020/21 would either join a larger league in 2021/22, or re-enter the ladder at the very bottom, two scenarios that ‘presented more disruption and potentially more confusion’ according to BUCS.
Nevertheless, Thomas announced ‘[Men’s Football] will be looking to contact BUCS to review the decision of the ‘bridging season’ in the hope of allowing promotion for next season given that we feel we have been unfairly treated.’
It is a sensible thing to make the next year a bridging season
Meanwhile, UoB Netball captain Ellie Rattu is more supportive of the move, telling Redbrick: ‘I think it is a sensible thing to make the next year a bridging season as the fixtures are set to take place solely in term 2 – therefore not mimicking a usual BUCS season.
‘I understand that this can be upsetting for many teams that were on track for a promotion from last season, but it is out of our control.’
Eleanor Warrington, UoB Taekwondo’s new captain, echoes Rattu. ‘It’s a sensible idea to postpone the BUCS season until after January,’ she told Redbrick. ‘I’m happy that we won’t be hindered in the BUCS rankings due to COVID.’
The pair’s philosophical view is shared by Josh Dooler, BUCS’ student chair for the West Midlands. ‘I think it is the fairest option,’ the Guild Sports Officer said. ‘Universities might not be able to enter the same number of teams in the 2020/21 season, which would distort leagues and mean their teams would have to start at the bottom of the pyramid for the season after, so [promotion and relegation] would completely change the make-up of leagues in future.’
Responding to the criticism from Men’s Football, Dooler emphasised ‘if teams drop out of Bucs they have to go to the very bottom of the pyramid again which wouldn’t be right.’
Clubs are equally keen for their work next year to be recognised, with Warrington saying: ‘I hope that everyone who puts amazing effort into BUCS over the course of the next year gets the appropriate recognition.’
In information that may be of interest to teams like Men’s Football, Dooler added: ‘It might be disappointing for teams that might win a league in the 2020/21 season, but I think BUCS are looking at all options to reward and recognise those that are in this situation next season.’
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