On the 1st of August 2014 BUCS posted the following statement on their website:
BUCS Statement on Removal of Sports from Programme
During the BUCS AGM on Thursday 10 July at Swansea University and following extensive consultation with BUCS members, BUCS Sports Advisory Groups and National Governing Bodies of sport it was noted that BUCS members have now agreed to a methodology for the regular updating of sports to be included in the BUCS competitive programme.
This will involve the regular addition to and removal of sports according to an agreed process. This means that 5 sports will now be removed from the BUCS competition programme with immediate effect.
These sports are: Athletics – Marathon; Cycling – Cross-Country Mountain Bike; Cycling – Cyclo-Cross; Rugby Fives; Tenpin Bowling.
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David Gardner writes:
Following recent policy decisions made at the BUCS AGM in July, which go very much in favour of major participation sports, Rugby Fives no longer has their support.
Despite being run efficiently and at virtual maximum capacity for over 50 years under a British Universities banner, Rugby Fives has, together with some other numerically smaller activities, been removed from their list of events.
The event will, however, still continue, now under the total auspices of the Rugby Fives Association and with the same organisers. The only real difference is that BUCS points will no longer be awarded.
The title of the event will become BUSF, i.e. British Universities and Student Fives. A number of minor changes will occur, including a smaller entry fee and a raising of the lower age limit, bringing it into line with new Government policy on compulsory further education and training up to the age of eighteen.
It is hoped that University Athletic Unions will continue to support the event, but if anyone finds problems, then please contact the organiser (David Gardner), who may be able to arrange some sort of assistance, particularly with those individuals travelling long distances, or universities wishing to enter large numbers in their team.
An entry form with further details will be available on the RFA website at the end of September, and entries close towards the end of October.