Celebrating the successes and achievements of our students and sports clubs here at Aberystwyth University
The Adaptability and Resilience Award was created this year as a one-off award. It is there to celebrate the adaptability and resilience shown by our groups as a result of changing circumstances. This included finding innovative and creative ways of doing activities, utilising new technologies, and adapting to alternative ways of engaging their members. Vitally it was also there to recognise groups who were determined to support their members through the year, overcoming setbacks along the way. Overall, the panel really looked for groups who actively maintained their core purpose in the activities they provided.
The club winner of this award was Showdance.
Like all our performance groups they have significantly been impacted by the restrictions presented during the past year. All performance groups have been limited by restrictions imposed on indoor activities. Even when indoor activities were able to go ahead the limits on numbers and social distancing meant their practices and performances were still near enough impossible to do in-person.
Despite this the committee were creative and resilient, managing to adapt along the way, going above and beyond to ensure all members had an enjoyable experience despite the circumstances. Throughout lockdown the committee organised up to 10 dance classes and choreography sessions every week online, which gave everyone (no matter where they were) a chance to participate in club activities. Their annual Tapathon was wholly choreographed through virtual means and performed to an exceptional standard once restrictions were lifted. Fun and engaging weekly socials were held online and where possible outdoors in-person. The club have also organised an online Varsity-style competition against long term rivals, Bangor to further engage their members.
Through the nominations it was clear to see how much their members appreciated everything the group has done for them throughout the past year. Here are just some snippets from the nominations:
“The club participated in various events including Tapathon, Children in Need, Arts Fest and the Old College Fundraiser. We faced so many challenges in participating in these events from booking suitable locations, securing tap boards, and making sure we were always following guidelines in place.”
- Anonymous nominee
“The weekly socials are another example of how the society has been resilient and worked to use the technology in different ways - via Teams we have been able to take part in quizzes, have movie nights and take part in fun activities all whilst staying safe in our rooms and the creativity and determination of the social secretaries has been amazing!”
- Anonymous nominee
“Showdance have gone above and beyond to keep up the same quantity and quality of club sessions despite covid restrictions. Running up to 10 dance classes a week plus a social entirely online for every teaching week of the year, we've kept dancing throughout. Classes have been high quality and we've learned multiple dances entirely online”
- Anonymous nominee
Everyone at the SU look forward to what Showdance will get up to in the upcoming academic year!
Why not get involved yourself? Check out Showdance here: