As another season of BUCS University Sport gets under way, it is now easier than ever to watch your favourite teams compete at BUCS level, with the installation of a permanent pitch-side camera at the Armitage Sports Centre on Pitch A, all University of Manchester fixtures are now broadcasted on UoM Sport TV.
I spoke to UoM Sport Business Operations Manager, Andrew Miller, about the installation of the camera and the launch of UoM Sport TV. “UoM Sport TV launched in January 2024 to support raising the profile of student sport at the University of Manchester, showcasing fixtures taking place across the campus and wider city region”.
Currently, there are four fixed cameras on Hall A, Pitch A, Pitch B and Pitch E at the Armitage Centre. “This caters for Netball, Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Lacrosse, Hockey, Rugby Union, Rugby League and American Football” said Andrew, the wide range of sports on offer through the UoM Sport TV channel makes university sport more accessible to watch for university sports fans.
Credit, Andrea Finlay @ The Mancunion
I asked Andrew about the future of UoM Sport TV at the university; “We plan to schedule all BUCS, National League and Campus Sport fixtures using these facilities”. Currently, there is no platform to watch Campus Sport on, so UoM Sport TV will prove crucial to the development of campus leagues. With a large majority of Campus League fixtures being played at facilities other than The Armitage Centre, Andrew notes that “we will also be adding the portable systems later this term to profile fixtures at other facilities such as Sugden Sports Centre and Manchester Aquatics Centre”.
This will be key for individual sports such as squash, tennis and badminton or off-site sports such as equestrian and polo. Furthermore, Andrew explained that the streaming platform, Joymo, also have an app for both iOS and Android so that players and spectators alike can access the sports content from their phones. This will allow students can live stream fixtures from their phone or laptop if their fixture venue does not have an installed Pixello camera as of yet.
Credit, Jens Buurgaard Nielsen @ Wikimedia Commons
UoM Sport TV has also been implemented for Campus League sports. Currently, both campus league hockey and rugby fixtures are available to view on the online platform. The aspiration is for major campus league finals and games to be played at venues where there is an installed Pixello camera so that these too will be broadcasted online.
Finally, Andrew highlights the importance of student groups in the development of the streaming platform and also the many opportunities that UoM Sport TV can bring to the University of Manchester student body. “Through working with student sport societies, we hope to showcase other sports and will be working with other student groups to understand their specific needs”. With UoM Sport TV comes a multitude of vocational and leadership opportunities for students at the University of Manchester. The initiative requires motivated students who are looking to develop their skill set outside of their degree program.
Without a doubt, the installation of the cameras and the development of UoM Sport TV will continue to grow university sports here at Manchester making it more accessible for student sports fans to watch their peers compete in BUCS, National League and Campus League.
