British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), the new national organisation tasked with promoting the benefits of sport and physical activity on university and college campuses, launched today, creating the largest higher education sports organisation in Europe.

The organisation brings together two former representative bodies, the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) and University College Sport (UCS).

BUCS will offer a comprehensive, multi-sport competition structure, and oversee the development of programmes and facilities for participants in grassroots sports as well as elite athletes.

The association will work with students, athletic unions, elected officers, professional sporting staff, coaches and volunteers from around 150 higher education institutions.

Karen Rothery, former commercial director at England Netball, has been appointed BUCS chief executive, while Ed Smith, formerly a senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and chair of conservation charity WWF-UK, will act as chair of the board.

The organisation is hosting its first conference for 300 delegates at the University of Sussex from 24 to 27 June.

Smith said: “We have an ambitious and challenging vision for higher education sport—greater participation, better competition and a higher, national profile in the UK and overseas. At the 2004 Athens Olympics students took home 46 per cent of the medals won by Team GB. “We should have high hopes for this summer in Beijing, but all eyes will soon be turning to success in London in 2012. So for government, university leadership, sports governing bodies and our students, our collective challenge is to raise the profile and quality of university sport and to showcase how sport can contribute to the UK’s economic and social aspirations.”

The body has signed its first partnership deal with Nike, making the company its official kit supplier. Barclays Bank will continue to support BUCS tennis, with Kukri sponsoring BUCS netball.