British Universities and Colleges Sport has confirmed its first set of athletes that will compete at the Naples 2019 Summer Universiade with the selection of a six-strong table tennis team ©BUCS

British Universities and Colleges Sport has confirmed its first set of athletes that will compete at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples with the selection of a six-strong table tennis team.

Half-a-dozen athletes from institutions across the United Kingdom will come together and represent GB Students to compete for international glory at the event, scheduled to take place in the Italian city from July 3 to 14.

The team is made up of three women - the University of Bedfordshire’s Emily Bolton, the University of Nottingham’s Tin-Tin Ho and Bournemouth University’s Chloe Thomas - and three men - the University of Nottingham’s Joshua Bennett, Aberdeen-based Robert Gordon University’s Colin Dalgleish and the University College London’s Helshan Weerasinghe.

It will be led by Aled Howell, while Craig Bryant will serve as the coach.

Naples is due to host the 2019 Summer Universiade from July 3 to 14 ©Naples 2019
Naples is due to host the 2019 Summer Universiade from July 3 to 14 ©Naples 2019

The International University Sports Federation organises the Summer and Winter Universiades every two years.

The Summer Universiade consists of 10 compulsory sports with 13 compulsory disciplines and up to three optional sports chosen by the host country. 

It is widely recognised as the second largest multi-sport Games in the world after the Olympics and has progressively risen in scale and standard.

Nowadays, the event attracts 10,000 participants from more than 150 countries.