Find out what developments has occurred with the Activities Union from last semester!
Well the weather seems to be taking a turn for the worst so I couldn’t think of a better time than to sit in and write this blog. This first semester has seen many changes occurring to the Activities Union (the societies and sports department of the SU) from new hardware, to the new direction of the department. I shall break it down so you can quickly read it over in the ‘5 minute break’ you’re taking from essay writing to check up on your SU... procrastination at its witts end!
The year began with Sports week where we brought in just over a 100 fresher’s early and gave them the chance to meet the clubs before everyone else and try out the vast amount of activities we have going on here in Aberystwyth. They were greeted by the Vice Chancellor before being introduced by the “Pro Vice Chancellor of the Students Union” Sam Lumb where they saw their first insight into Student life here in Aberystwyth.
Going on from that the Fresher’s week saw us cramming everyone into the sports cage so that every society and sports club that applied for a table had one and all had the opportunity to attract new sign ups to their Club or Society.
Towards the last two days we were able to carry out the training packages for both Societies and Sports committees. This showed to myself that the training packages must be carried out before the Summer and not during fresher’s, so for this year all committee training will be carried out at the beginning of third Semester, allowing you all to prep early and have a relaxed summer and even more relaxed fresher week.
All grants have now been allocated, with over 39 clubs and 19 societies applying. The grant pots for Sports was £16,500 and Societies £4000, each cash pot being raised through the sales of Sporty Cards and BOS numbers respectively. In total the 39 clubs applications tallied together came to around £130k where as the Societies came to around £30k.. Sadly we could not provide everything but everyone has had something.
So here goes on my manifesto:
Modernisation
We are still currently updating the MSL website in the hope that they are able to have it fully up and running for our societies and clubs to begin updating their own website. This area has stalled recently due to the change over of staff within the building but my hope is that by September 2013 all committees will be up to date on it and have the ability to run their page and forums online whilst taking up sign ups through the new system.
We have also welcomed the new floodlights down on Blandeloau fields, which are currently going through a 5 week testing stage before being on hand for any club that requires them. Finally we no longer have to wait for the sun to rise before we can begin to train and hopefully with Blan now being a night and day facility that it will give our clubs that extra training session to dominate any other university they come up against in their chosen sport.
Tackling the Suits
The Students Union building is to be catalogued giving you the break down of rooms and whats available in them so you may book it when you need it. Seeing as it’s your Students’ Union, you as a society or club should have the right to use it when needed and not be second best to outside organisations taking it over before you.
The careers portacabin near Pantycelyn fields has finally been handed over to the Activities Union for sports storage equipment, we are currently buying storage shelves and containers to be placed into the cabin and will have it available for storage from January 2013. We are currently in discussions with regards to areas across campus that could be used for societies’ storage.
Societies and Sports Exec
Since the election of each position took place, we have been holding fortnightly meetings to decide what the best direction is, for both executive committees and the Activities Union. The hope is that by second semester all members of the exec will be ready to carry out their own campaigns and meeting with you all to discuss their ideas on modernising the Activities Union that much further.
Student Led Events
Well, thank god for Wednesday night, the ents team made the effort to get out there to ask and speak with you the Students on what you wish to see within your SU. With you dictating to them what you wanted, all that needed change on the night was the free entry, drink promos, a mix of different music and a non-set playlist. It may not have been a massive change, however, it was you the Students who told them what you wanted and they gave you what you wanted. Keep telling them…!
New Recognition
On the 5th of December I sat on the first cross University activities meeting, to discuss the direction we want to take societies and sports within the University. This has not happened in a long time, if ever before, so this is a big step in finally getting recognition from the University for the work you all put into running your societies and clubs.
What’s coming up next…
Well for previous Activities sabbs, the next semester is the busiest and I cannot wait to get it going. The term kicks off with Varsity on 16thFebuary, with Bangor looking to stay over for the night; it looks to be a massive day but an even bigger night. Let’s bring home the trophy this year, back to where it belongs! #bringinghomethettrophy #teamaber
From Varsity, to Superteams on the weekend of 15thMarch and it’s looking likely to have both the male and female events run on the same weekend with an even bigger surprise ‘Aftermath’ held to congratulate you all on surviving the weekend and toasting the eventual winners of the competition.