Class of 2017: Nick Sims

All this week we are celebrating the achievements of some of our students who are graduating in the class of 2017. Nick Sims graduating today from the School of Biological Sciences tells us his story.

Nick Sims (BSc Sports and Exercise Science) has enjoyed phenomenal success with the Essex Blades basketball squad – remaining undefeated for three years and in the process twice gaining promotion to put them into the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) premier league.

They also won the Basketball England national league division 4 and rounded off the season picking up a gold medal at an international tournament in Antwerp.

Nick, who plans to stay at Essex for his Masters, said: “This programme has been much more than just playing sport. We have been a family with an incredible team spirit and sense of belonging. We have played together, lived together, partied together and been there for each other – both on and off the court”

For Nick basketball has become a way of life - fitting in tactical and mental training sessions alongside time in the gym. They have also been put through a barrage of tests to assess the performance of elite athletes.