FIVE university students have been given a boost as they prepare their sports clubs for Europe’s largest inter-university tournament in May, thanks to a partnership between York-based Scitec Nutrition, York Sport and York Sport Union.

Each year, sports teams from York and Lancaster universities compete for the Carter James Trophy. This year marks the 54th ‘Battle of the Roses’, and York will host over 50 teams from the two universities in May as they fight it out to win the coveted prize and accompanying prestige for their county.

This year, the Yorkshire teams have an ace up their sleeve: the backing of sports nutrition specialists Scitec Nutrition. The UK team of the established global sports nutrition supplements company is based at York Science Park, and the business is kicking off a partnership with York Sport and York Sport Union this month by selecting five student ambassadors to support as they prepare their clubs for this year’s Roses contest.

University of York women’s rugby first team captain Alice Jones, men’s rugby president Pierre Goualin, wakeboarding team president Dan Wyles, barbell club senior team member Rowan Hanson and Middlesex cricketer Emma Albery, were officially appointed as the five Scitec Nutrition student ambassadors at an event in York this week.

Jon Hutchinson, Scitec Nutrition’s UK North Area Manager presented the ambassadors with a sports nutrition starter kit to use with their teams to help with performance as they train for the Roses tournament. The company has also extended an offer to work with other University of York clubs as they prepare for the event.

Mr Hutchinson said: "We are committed to supporting student-level sport and helping local sports teams and people to be the best they can be. As well as a product allowance and clothing supply for each of our ambassadors, we will be running a series of activation events with all five students and their teams, bringing in top strength and conditioning coaches to provide advice on subjects such as training, nutrition, leadership and motivation.

“At the end of the process, one of the ambassadors will have a chance to visit the Scitec Nutrition Centre of Excellence in Budapest, where Olympic level athletes go to map out nutrition plans ahead of big events. We will also be offering some of the students a contract to become a Scitec athlete which will give them access to our global team of athletes helping them to gain valuable insights into sports nutrition. We hope we can play a pivotal role in helping our ambassadors move from student level sport right through to elite level sports performance.”

York Science Park general manager,Claire Bennett, said: This is a fantastic opportunity for university sports teams and exactly the kind of collaboration we encourage among our residents. The Roses trophy went to Lancashire last year, so naturally we’re very keen to see York’s sportspeople and teams bring home the trophy this year. Best of luck to them all”

York Sport Union president Zac Sheppard, said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Scitec Nutrition. As one of the leading sports nutrition brands their support will help push the performance of York Sport Union to the next level.

“Their knowledge and expertise on performance diets will help our student athletes to improve their physical capability, and consequently, performance. I’m also delighted they will be using student ambassadors to promote the brand by training and supporting them. I look forward to seeing how much this partnership can grow in the future.”