Roller Hockey as an University Sport

Flyer of Cup (source:Desporto UP facebook)

All of us, which had the pleasure to study in Universities know about the amount of sports that could be practice, representing our Faculties/Universities. Although our roller hockey doesn't have almost expressive concerning University sport. One of the uniques countries where this is possible is Portugal, but even here it's impossible to compare their power with other sports like football, handball, rugby, athletics...
One of the unique championship each year, is "Torneio dos Campeões". Universidade do Porto organizer of the competition this year, that took place today, in Valongo, near Porto, with 4 men teams and 4 women teams from 5 different universities:
-Universidade do Porto (men and women)
-Universidade do Minho (men)
-Instituto Politécnico do Porto (men and women)
-Associação Académica de Coimbra (men and women)
-Universidade Técnica de Lisboa (women)

It's important to note that it's the first time that Women play in this tournament what means, something new for our sport in Portuguese universities. 

Rolling Together believes that Universities could have an essential role to assure that young players formed in clubs, when apply for universities, could have here an opportunity to keep practicing roller hockey. We can't forget about United States University sports example, where there are very important competitions concerning American Football and Basketball. Here the students reach in a lot of cases professional level. 

Furthermore, for example in Chile some of the existent teams are part of National Universities, eg: Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católicaand the same happens in Mexico, eg: BUAP (Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla and UABC (Universidad Autónoma de Baja California). The same could happen in other countries, having University teams competing in national competitions, and not just in university championships (eg. Associação Académica de Coimbra , team from Coimbra's University Association, playing in 2nd Portuguese Division).

One more idea to National Federations think about :) 

More info on:
Facebook Desporto U.Porto
Jornal a Voz de Ermesinde Tweet