Two University of Lancashire students are European champions after winning the European Baseball Championship with Great Britain.
Samiya Rahman and Bethany Casson were part of squad which beat off stiff competition to be crowned the queens of Europe.
Silver level Sports Scholarship students Samiya, 27, and Bethany, 23, travelled to Czechia to compete against the Netherlands, France and Czechia.
Outfielder Samiya, a part-time MSc Digital Marketing Communications’ student at the Burnley Campus, said: “After a good result in the round robin stage, we came to face the hosts in the finals. Towards the end of the game, we needed to defend our lead, so as you can imagine it was a very tense moment.
When our pitcher, Claury Scatliffe, threw the strikeout for the last out, everything slowed down. I watched everyone run on to the field and, for a moment, it didn’t sink in - that was the moment we became European champions– Outfielder Samiya Rahman, a part-time MSc Digital Marketing Communications’ student at the Burnley Campus
“When our pitcher, Claury Scatliffe, threw the strikeout for the last out, everything slowed down. I watched everyone run on to the field and, for a moment, it didn’t sink in - that was the moment we became European champions.”
As well as representing the University in the British Universities and Colleges Sport league, Samiya competes for Manchester Baseball Club. The former Sir John Thursby Community College and St Mary’s Sixth Form College pupil, who combines her studies with a graphic design assistant position at Burnley Football Club, has been part of the women’s national team talent pool for two years.
She commented: “Playing at the European Championship was honestly unforgettable. It was an honour to play alongside such incredibly talented women, each one of us contributing to that moment. It was intense, emotional, and full of pride. We weren’t just there to play games; we were there to represent women’s baseball on the biggest stage in Europe. The atmosphere was electric, the level of competition was unreal, and the bond within our team was something really special.”
It was such an incredible opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Euros, and to come away as European champions is truly unforgettable– MSc Mountain Medicine student Bethany Casson
MSc Mountain Medicine student Bethany, who predominantly plays centre field, added: “It was such an incredible opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Euros, and to come away as European champions is truly unforgettable.
“I’m so grateful to my family, friends, and coaches for all the time and support they’ve given me to make this possible.”
The BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science alumna, who works as a paramedic in Barrow-in-Furness, plays for Manchester Jetts and Liverpool Trojans in addition to the University’s baseball team. The former Holmfirth High School and Greenhead College has been part of the GB talent pool since 2023.
As well as claiming the top title in Europe, the win has also earned Great Britain a place in the 2026 Women’s Baseball World Cup qualifiers which will be held in Illinois, United States of America.