University Men’s Indoor Nationals 2025: Division 1 Preview
By Kabir ‘Kb’ Adkoli
For reasons unknown, UKU has scheduled UMIN division 1 and both UWIN divisions on the same weekend, with UMIN division 2 having already taken place last weekend. This means that all you legends that read The Release Point are blessed (or cursed, I don’t know if you like my writing) with not one, not two, but three preview articles! Without further ado, welcome to the second of three articles headed your way as I dive into UMIN division 1!
Thanks to Strathclyde’s triumph at UMIN division 2 last season, Scotland gained an extra bid to division 1 this year. The three teams representing the region this weekend are St Andrews, Stirling and Edinburgh who finished first, second and third at regionals, respectively. For a detailed reminder as to how these teams fared at regionals, you can read the ScUMIR recap here. Unlike in previous years, no team went invincible, evidencing the close fought nature of Scottish university ultimate.
St Andrews: Seed 3
The Scottish champions are back in division 1, something they missed out on last year, so they must be raring to go considering their current form. Their game against Leeds will determine who wins the pool consisting of Manchester, Royal Holloway and Imperial. While there are new faces, their performance at regionals was not indicative of a team that lacks nationals experience, as they lost only one game the whole weekend, against Strathclyde. Veteran leadership in the form of Dan Lindsay and Matthew Miller have enabled new faces such as Jerome Gan to step up to the first team following the graduation of key players from last year’s team that went to division 2.
Here’s what captain Daniel Lindsay had to say:
What are your thoughts heading into this weekend?
We’re really looking forward to going down to Nottingham and facing up against the best teams in the country. For most of our team, this will be the first trip to division 1 indoor nationals so we’re just hoping to show how strong Scottish Ultimate really is.
What’s something about your team that’s changed or improved from regionals?
We’ve made no changes to our roster but have worked hard on our team dynamics and chemistry. We’re hoping to bring good vibes and enjoy ourselves which will hopefully result in us going far in the tournament.
What song is going to be on repeat this weekend?
‘Saints Pregame Soundcloud Mix’ no doubt.
Stirling: Seed 13
Despite WFDF mandating that a player can’t throw to themselves, Ronan Kelly of Stirling seems to be everywhere on the pitch. Stirling demonstrated at regionals that they’re happy to build around him, as they trust him to make plays on both sides of the disc. However, this is ultimately (please laugh at the pun) a team sport, and a team can’t go far without the other players on the pitch also contributing. Stirling has showed they have members who are willing to put in hard work while also having fun – this might be the only team whose ‘chicken wing’ throws are a genuine threat! In an extremely tough pool consisting of Loughborough, Southampton, Birmingham and Lancaster, Stirling will have to be near perfect from their first game to set themselves up for a good Sunday.
Here’s what captain William Harrison had to say:
What are your thoughts heading into this weekend?
We will aim to do as well as we can and build on our success at regionals. We are also hoping to push the English teams really hard and showcase some classy Scottish Ultimate! We also understand we have a relatively young team so it will be great for us to get in some nationals experience for future years.
What’s something about your team that’s changed or improved from regionals?
Our team from regionals remains relatively unchanged and consists of a core group of players who have all been committed to training and fitness sessions which we have been conducting over the last few weeks! I’m excited for us to put our chemistry and work ethic into practice!
What song is going to be on repeat this weekend?
Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield.
Edinburgh: Seed 18
Regionals was tougher than expected for the Ro Sham open team. As a team people tipped as a lock for division 1, they had to work hard in the 3 v 4 game vs Strathclyde to make sure they got there. They managed to squeak through by 2 points while also losing to Glasgow in pool play (yes, I’ve failed the ‘don’t mention Flung’ challenge). While Ro Sham haven’t been able to assert the same dominance as their team that won Div 1 bronze at UMIN last year, the experience this squad has might show that regionals was a minor blip and not a real reflection of the team’s ability. The team has a tough pool, but will still expect to put wins on the board against Warwick, Bath and Liverpool before facing their toughest opponent, Sheffield.
Here’s what captains Harry Bowman had to say:
What are your thoughts heading into the weekend?
Mainly excitement. We’ve got a well drilled team and we’re all keen to head down south and grab a medal again. Saturday is looking like a big day for us (four of last years top five in the same pool) so we’re going to have to come out firing.
What’s something about your team that’s changed or improved since regionals?
The squad has changed a little bit due to injury but we’re really excited about the guys coming in and know they’re going to put in a strong performance. We’ve worked on our weaknesses from regionals and all the boys are ready to go.
What songs going to be on repeat this weekend?
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A not-so-wise Norwegian man once said “Stay humble eh”, a piece of advice that when followed has bought considerable fortune to those who heeded those words (editors note – after Googling, this is apparently a football reference). I, too, will take those words into account and not let my prediction success from the last weekend go to my head as I tell you the definitive final standings for the open teams headed to division 1 nationals.
I will admit, I re-wrote this part of the article multiple times as I definitely overthought the weekend’s results as I look to uphold the unofficial “King of Predictions” crown. I think St Andrews are going to be the top representative from Scotland and having survived a tough pool at regionals, they will look to have a strong Saturday to build momentum for Sunday. However, Sunday will be difficult and they will eventually fall out of the top bracket to finish 6th. In a hypothetical scenario of Saints finishing third in their group and Edinburgh finishing second, an all-Scottish 7 v 10 matchup is on the cards to start Sunday with the loser relegated to the pool fighting for ninth. However, I don’t think Edinburgh will finish second in their group and Ro Sham will be unable to replicate last year’s impressive performances on their run to a bronze medal and will fall six spots to 9th. Stirling came 13th last year and I can see this year being exactly the same as the other Scottish team in green will hold seed all weekend.
That’s all from me (for now) but you can follow all the action from this weekend here!
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Featured photo by Tristan Millington.