LIZZY Rees believes her maximum-points haul in BUCS competitions this year was the perfect way to thank the University of Bath for supporting her archery and academic careers.

The Sports Performance student, from Mere, a Santander Sports Scholar, won gold in the WA 1440 Ladies Barebow category at the recent BUCS [British Universities & Colleges Sport] Archery Outdoor Championships at Lilleshall National Sports Centre – setting a new record of 974 points in the process.

That followed on from her success at the Indoor Championships earlier this year, with Rees – a member of the British team that struck gold at the 2012 World Archery Field Championships in France – delighted to have secured victory in the blue and gold of the University.

“I’ve picked up maximum BUCS points for Bath, which I am really pleased about,” she said.

“Everyone here has been really supportive and the scholarship has been a massive help.

“Every competition costs around £20 in entry fees, then you have to travel and find somewhere to stay as most are two-day competitions. Some of them take place in Northern Ireland, so you have to fly or catch the ferry.

“Pretty much the cost of my whole year of competing equates to my scholarship, so I am breaking even which is brilliant. That is one less stress to worry about.

“I’ve just finished my second year here and my lecturers have been brilliant, they give me any time off I need for competitions.

“I go to the gym here six days a week and we have access to the indoor running track every day if we want it. It is ideal for training.”

Rees, who holds or has broken more than 50 British records, will next be in action for her country at the European Field Archery Championships in Poland in October.

She said: “I am shooting well and if I get to the finals, I have the experience now to have a pretty good stab at it.

“My ambition is to simply win as many titles and medals as I can.”