Team Sunderland’s Uzokwe promoted with Falcons

Newcastle Falcons yesterday had their promotion back to the Gallagher Premiership confirmed by the RFU following the premature end to the season.

The decision was announced after the RFU decided to finish the season due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and enforced a “best-playing record formula” to rank the teams.

With the Falcons winning each of their 15 games this season, and 18 points clear of second place Ealing Trailfinders, they looked set to secure the league title before the season was curtailed.

This meant good news for the University of Sunderland with Team Sunderland Elite Athlete Simon Uzokwe featuring throughout the season for the Falcons.

The final year Pharmacy student has been supported by the Elite Athlete Scheme for the past three years and represented England Students in 2017.

Uzokwe joined the Falcons in 2016 after playing for Darlington Mowden Park and has gone from strength to strength before being promoted to the first team in the summer of 2019.

Team Sunderland Sport Development Officer Laura Hockaday said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Simon and the team to be granted promotion in such uncertain times, it’s only what they deserve.

“It has been great to support Simon over the past years through our Elite Athlete Scheme and to watch him grow and develop into the great player he is today.

“I look forward to following his journey in the coming years.”

The Team Sunderland Elite Athlete Scheme supports the university’s high performing athletes throughout their studies.