The UWIC Archers have had a strong Standard Life GB player presence over the years which last weekend culminated in the team clinching the Division 1 Women's title.
UWIC claimed the title thanks to a 75-52 victory over the Nottingham Wildcats.
UWIC Head Coach and Standard Life GB Women's Assistant coach commented on the success: "Upon reflection, when you play each team three times, to collect a clean sweep over six teams in the most competitive league in the last decade we are very happy.
"Every team had a starting five that was impressive offensively, with even the teams at the bottom of the league boasting individual talent. I think by virtue of analyzing the stats you can see that we got it done by a team approach, relying less on individuals to consistently provide their stats and more about all players understanding their qualities and how to contribute across the 40 minutes.
"We are of course also very happy to have made history for UWIC and all the stakeholders involved behind the scenes. On the court I think special mention should go to the likes of Standard Life GB player Stef Collins as well as Meagan Hoffman, Nicki Avery and Sarah Wagstaff who have represented the Archers for the best part of 8 years through many changes, failures and successes. Their perseverance coupled with the commitment of newer recruits has made this type of achievement happen.
"On a personal note the league title displays which team is dominant across a season and we have led this from the start. Our full attention now turns to the play-offs to make the season that extra bit special, but for now we stand as a club very proud of this achievement and the efforts by many people to make it happen."
Some of the Standard Life GB women's players have shown strong contribution and commitment to UWIC over the years with Stef Collins playing for five years, Kate Butters for three, Rose Anderson has been with the team for the last year and Bermuda’s Jenaya Wade-Fray came to the squad in the last four months. GB assistant team manager, Sarah Wagstaff has also been with UWIC for the last eight years, with several Junior home nation and GB U20's representatives also involved.
With the help of the Standard Life GB women, since UWIC's promotion to Division 1 in 2007-08 they have won one EBL Play-Off Championship, one EBL League title, two National Cup Finals medals, three EBL League title Runner-Up medals, three BUCS titles (amassing a 45 game unbeaten record) and two EBL Play-Off Championship runner-up medals.
The UWIC girls now turn their attention to this season's Play-Off Final which takes place in two weeks in Manchester.
