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Kent Sport (University of Kent) magazine
Citation preview
kent.ac.uk/sports
on themove
2013 - 2014
FeaturesSport Matters! Why sport matters to graduates
History of Kent Sport
Interview - Justin Noble, ice hockey player and Kent alumni
Interview - Kent Sport welcomes Chris Bull, the new sports VP at Kent Union
02
Contents
on themove
Welcome 03
UpdateNews 04
InterviewJustin Noble 08Chris Bull 18
Join inTry sport 10Fitness and dance classes 16Health and fitness How we can help 20Training v’s exercise 22
FeaturesClimbing in Sicily 15
History of sport at Kent 30Moving forward 32Sport matters! 34
Club focusUniversity of Kent (UKC)Sailing and Windsurfing 26
Sports scholarsSpotlight on our sports scholarsFreddie Hulbert 36Emma Stanley 37
MembershipJoin today 38
to Kent Sport’s 2013-2014 edition of On The Move magazine
Welcome
03kent.ac.uk/sports
| Contents
on themove
he Olympic period has come and gone and as a result Kent Sport members are now enjoying brilliant new facilities, completed in May
2013. We are now able to provide more sports facilities and services, more often to more people at the University of Kent.
Our programmes are expanding, our membership numbers are increasing and we have taken on more staff in order to continue to provide you with the best service we possibly can.
The new facilities have been very well received and I am extremely grateful for the huge number of positive comments.
This inspires me to continue to push the boundaries on what is achievable here at Kent.
This edition of On The Move looks at our past, present and future, with an article about the history of Kent Sport on page 30 and comments about Kent Sport moving forward on page 32. I have used the term ‘past, present and future’ before when we hosted the Kent’s Sporting Legends event in November 2012. This was so successful that I intend to run it again in 2014, in partnership with Kent County Council, as a University of Kent 50th anniversary event.
Moving beyond 2013, we will be looking at ways in which we can harness this very powerful theme, tapping into the success of our former, the currency of our present and the potential in our future sporting legends.
I urge you to make the most of the great many opportunities available to you during your time with us. It really can be the best time of your life, if you get involved and use what is on offer.
Graham Holmes Director of Kent Sport University of Kent
Welcome
T
content subheading
04 on themove
Update
New sports developmentsIt has been an exciting, if challenging year at Kent Sport with the building and opening of the new sports facilities at the Canterbury campus.
The new fitness suite, indoor tennis centre and dance studio have been well received by our members.
The third sports hall opened in May 2013, providing further opportunity to play a range of sports such as rush hockey, volleyball and handball – see page 11 for more details.
Let us know what you think of the facilities by completing one of our feedback forms to be in with a chance of winning a goody bag. (See page 39 for more information.)
Online bookings and memberships As part of ongoing improvements to our service, we are introducing online bookings and memberships during the autumn term. The introduction of telephone bookings up to seven days in advance proved a huge success and it is hoped the introduction of online booking for all classes, courts and sessions will prove to be as popular.
Look out in the Sports Centre for further details of when this new service will be introduced.
Give your racket a new lease of life!
Is your favourite racket in need of some attention? Kent Sport can
restring your badminton, squash or tennis racket from just £10.50.
Bring your racket along to the Sports Centre reception today, complete the String’em Up form and give your racket a new lease of life.
‘The new facilities and
equipment in the gym are
outstanding. There is probably
nothing more that we could ask
for. Big thanks to Kent Sport for
facilities and services.’
Chris Davies, student member
‘The Sports Centre is
an amazing resource for
those looking to get fit
and the sports staff are
super supportive. The gym
classes, nutrition advice and
personalised programmes are
great. I have recommended it
to all my friends.’
Jen Brampton, staff member
News
05kent.ac.uk/sportson themove
Update
SummerZoneRecord numbers of children took part in this years SummerZone, the University of Kent’s fun-packed summer camp for children. Mel Clewlow, who runs the summer camps said:
Kate Farrow, Enterprise Officer at Kent Innovation and Enterprise, whose son attended SummerZone, said:
In 2014 SummerZone will take place from Monday 11 August to Friday 15 August and Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August. For further details please contact [email protected]
What a Summer in 2013!Aside from the glorious weather, the opening of the new sports facilities and preparing for the arrival of our new students, we have had some exciting visitors to Kent Sport over the summer.
The Morgan Car Exhibition saw hundreds of these classic cars converge on campus for the annual Morgan Owners Gathering (MOG 13). The event culminated with a rally at the Sports Centre on Sunday 18 August 2013, with all the cars on show in the car park and
exhibit stands in the third hall.
Karate do Shotokia summer school returned to the Sports Centre in August for its 25th year, giving over 130 people the opportunity to train and learn from others. This is an annual event, which takes place in the main sports hall. To celebrate it’s 25th anniversary they held a special overnight training session on Thursday 22 August 2013.
Wheel Chair Tennis came to Kent Sport’s indoor tennis centre on 10 and 11 August 2013. This tournament was part of the Tennis Foundation Development series run by Kent County Council and the Lawn Tennis Association.
Kent Sport Charity Challenges Several members of Kent Sport staff have challenged themselves to take part in some gruelling sporting events to raise money for charity during 2013. Mel Clewlow, Sports Development Manager, cycled 338 miles in four days from Geneva to Nice (over the Alps!) to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research. With a target of £2,000 she has currently raised £3,416.23.
Ben Trott, Assistant Director pushed himself to the limit with seven events, both running and cycling, on behalf of Pilgrims Hospices, a charity supporting the terminally ill and their families in East Kent.
Lee Thompson, Outdoor Facilities Manager and Max Campbell, Duty Officer, played 72 holes of golf at Faversham golf course to raise money for the Elimination of Leukemia Fund, raising over £600.
The Pavilion Café BarThe Pavilon Café Bar is open from Monday 14 October 2013. The café is located at the outdoor pitches at Parkwood and is a great place to chill out, with delicious food, viewing balconies over the pitches, free wifi and Sky television. See our website for opening hours, menu and special offers. This space is also available for groups to hire. For further details please email: [email protected]
‘This is probably the best summer camp ever! It gives kids the opportunity to learn a range of new sporting skills with fantastic instructors, meet new friends and have great fun too. My son comes home tired and happy at the end of a fun day - perfect!’
‘This was the fifth year that Summer Zone has been running and once again it exceeded all our expectations. We have established an experienced group of qualified coaches who help deliver a fun- packed programme for children for all ages and abilities. You know that you are doing something right when on the last day parents and children are asking for next year’s dates!’
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News
06
Update
Did you know? Funny ha ha!A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that 15 minutes of laughter a day will burn 10 to 40 calories, depending on a person’s weight and the intensity of the laughter. That’s enough to shift between one and four pounds a year.
So to get you started, here are a few jokes:
Why couldn’t Usain Bolt listen to his music? Because he broke the record.
Golfer: “I’d move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course.” Caddy: “Try heaven; you’ve already moved most of the earth.”
Why do golfers carry two pairs of trousers with them? Just in case they get a hole in one.
I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.
I phoned the local gym and I asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. He said, ‘How flexible are you?’ I said, ‘I can’t make Tuesdays or Thursdays.’
What is the noisiest game? Squash – because you can’t play it without raising a racquet!
For sale: Limited edition Wilson pro-tennis racket for ten, no strings attached.
Jeni Dexter, Kent Sport Studio Co-ordinator has danced aproximately 5,878 miles in the last year. This is equivalent to dancing from Canterbury to Thailand!
Kent Sport has sold 226 tennis balls since the opening of the indoor tennis centre.
The heaviest lift seen in the new fitness suite is a rack pull of 380kgs by alumnus Tobi Wood.
This is equivalent to the weight of a small Arabian riding horse.
The heaviest squat achieved in the new fitness suite is 215kg by Fitness Auxilary Ben Roberts. This is two and a half times his own bodyweight.
1000 cups of coffee have been drunk at the meeting table in the Kent Sport Director’s Office over the last year. This is equivalent to 300 litres!
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News
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| Section title small
kent.ac.uk/sportson themovekent.ac.uk/sports
UniKentSports
café bar
situated by the outdoor
playing fields, ParkwoodA fantastic place to chill out. Good food, great atmosphere, viewing balconies, wifi and large screen tvs
Open from 14 October
2013
The Pavilion café Café counter service hours (term time)
Monday closed Tuesday 17:00-21:00Wednesday 12:00-21:00Thursday 17:00-22:00Friday 12:00-21:00Saturday closedSunday 09:30-13:00
Vacation hours - see website
Our vending machines and social area are available when the café is closed.
See our website for menu details and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for
special offers.
News This space is also available for hire. Email: [email protected]
08
Interview
On The Move talks to Canadian Justin Noble, who plays ice hockey for Invicta Dynamos and has just completed a Master’s in Financial Markets at the University of Kent at Medway.
How did you get into ice hockey?
I explain getting into ice hockey for a Canadian much the same as a Brit getting into football, or soccer as I know it. It’s just what we do. We play on ponds, streets and in living rooms. I’d have a hard time naming one of my friends from home who hasn’t played the sport. Fortunately, I excelled enough to continue playing a bit longer and am fortunate to still be playing.
Why did you decide to come to the UK?
The main reason I am here in the UK is to play ice hockey. I was recruited to join the Dynamos last season and enjoyed it enough to return for a second season. The idea of returning to school was more of an afterthought.
How does playing in the UK differ from playing in Canada, if at all?
Like I said before, hockey in Canada is football in the UK. The sport is taken more seriously and the level of players is definitely stronger. There are so many leagues and teams in Canada that players are always training and the competition is strong. Saying all that, the UK hockey scene has drastically improved and no doubt will continue to improve in the near future.
What is your training regime?
Training for me differs on the time of year. In the off-season is when I work the hardest in preparation for the upcoming season. I am fortunate to have friends with an amazing training facility at home. I have access to things like skating treadmills and shooting ranges to work on skills without being on the ice. During the season it’s more about maintaining what I’ve done in the summer and making sure I don’t get hurt. I am also very into Crossfit. It’s very popular in North America and creeping into Europe just now. It really has everything you need to be a top level athlete.
Invicta Dynamos Ice Hockey player and University of Kent Student.
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Justin Noble
Invicta Dynamos Ice Hockey player and University of Kent Student.
09kent.ac.uk/sportson themove
Justin Noble
Who or what inspires you or motivates you?
When I play here in the UK it’s a bit different. Every time I step onto the ice I am not just representing the Invicta Dynamos but I am also playing as one of the only Canadians on the ice. I am proud to say I am Canadian - I like to play like I am representing my country as well. I also get great support from home, knowing that my friends and family follow our team closely pushes me to play my best.
What are your future hopes and ambitions?
The thing about playing hockey professionally is that you have no idea where you’re going to be in a year’s time. If a good offer comes that I would like to pursue, there’s no doubt I’d love to play a little longer. But as I said before, I am really enjoying my programme here at the University. I am learning a ton and am excited to begin working in the industry. I really enjoy the idea of coaching hockey and giving back to the sport for everything it’s given me.
How has a scholarship helped you and what does it mean to be a Kent Sport scholar?
Too be honest I wasn’t sure what the scholarship was when I first applied. I found advertisements on the University’s website and felt I fulfilled all the requirements to become a sport scholar. The scholarship has been a great help but more has been the people involved. Everyone from the trainers to the organisers have been extremely motivating and show a real interest in my team and my personal progress throughout the season. The programme is a true testament to the
University’s interest in their athletes and I am extremely happy I am a part of it.
What do you miss most about Canada?
It isn’t easy being away from home for such a long period, as I sure some other students know. With our hockey schedule I wasn’t able to get home for the holidays for a second year in a row. Family is definitely something I miss about home. Also I miss my sports teams. I love the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays. I can follow their scores online and can sometimes catch a game online if I’m lucky but it’s not the same. You can’t beat being around the city after a big win. Also to name a few other things I miss: maple syrup, driving on the proper side of the road, less expensive gas, snow/sun, square-toed shoes and HBO.
How have you found the experience of coming to the UK and what do you like most about the UK?
I’ve really enjoyed the people I’ve met. I am fortunate to have lived with guys from all over the UK. At times it’s tough to understand their accents, especially the guys from Yorkshire, but they will be guys I keep in touch with forever. I just wish we could come up with some better TV programs here. Some of these reality TV series are just horrid!
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Join in
Try Sport
11kent.ac.uk/sportson themove
| Join in
Try Sport
Kent Sport offers you the opportunity to try sport in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, improve your game with our courses and compete in organised sporting tournaments.
Try a sportOur sports development department are giving you the opportunity to try something different, starting in the autumn term of 2013. Numbers are limited and are subject to change, so please check the website for full details and book at reception or by calling 01227 823623 or contact: [email protected]
Handball (students)
Mondays 5-7pm, Hall 2
Handball is the second most popular team sport in Europe. It’s a mixed seven-a-side game that is won by the team throwing, passing and bouncing the most balls past the keeper into the opposition’s goal.
Players are encouraged to be athletic, flamboyant, inventive, and above all, work together as a team. With physical contact, unlimited substitutions and shots at goal that can reach over 100 km/hour, there is always something exciting happening on the field of play!
Coached by Tom Middleton, Kent County Handball Development Officer
Dodgeball (students and staff )
Tuesdays 12-1pm and 1-2pm (student league). Ten teams per hour, per league. Thursday 12-2pm (staff)
Everyone can play dodgeball. It is very social and extremely addictive, as well as great for fitness. Some players will be good at throwing, some good at catching, some great dodgers (or a combination of these). Some of you will throw yourselves around; others are more economical with their energy.
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Join in
Futsal (students and staff)
Tuesdays, Hall 2, 6-8pm staff and students
Futsal is a variant of football played mainly indoors on a smaller pitch, with a smaller ball, and between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. The surface, ball and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique, as well as ball control and passing in small spaces. Unlimited substitutions are permitted.
TennisZone (student league)
Tuesday between 12-5pm, Indoor Tennis Centre from 15 October 2013
The newly created TennisZone allows participants of all abilities to play against each other in a friendly yet competitive environment.
Relaxed Rackets (students)
Tennis, Mondays 12-2pm, Indoor Tennis CentreBadminton ,Fridays, Hall 3 12-2pm
An opportunity for students to turn up and play badminton or tennis.
Relaxed Rackets (staff)
Badminton, Mondays, Hall 3 12-2pm Tennis, Fridays Indoor Tennis Centre, 12-2pm.
An opportunity for staff to turn up and play tennis or badminton with other staff members.
Volleyball (students)
Thursdays, Hall 3, 5-7pm
Volleyball is a high energy, social sport, often played by mixed sexes and mixed abilities. This session is aimed at anyone wanting to try something new, with the emphasis on a fun and social environment, whilst developing the core skills of the game.
Rush Hockey (students)
Fridays Hall 3, 5-7pm
Think you know hockey? Think again.
Played on a reduced size pitch in a five-a-side format, rush hockey is a fast, furious and fun indoor game. Whether a group or an individual, experienced or inexperienced, come down and give it a go.
Netball Now (students and staff)
Saturdays, Hall 2, 3-5pm
Netball Now is a simple, straightforward way to play netball. It’s not a coached session, it’s not a competition led by rules, regulations or recorded scores, it is simply a session that you turn up at, and play a game of netball! If you’re currently playing and want to play a bit more or if you’re looking for a flexible, non-committed way to play netball then Netball Now is for you!
Turbo Touch™ (students and staff)
Saturdays, Hall 2, 1-3pm
Turbo Touch™ combines elements of touch rugby, netball, basketball and ultimate frisbee.
It’s a fast-paced game perfect for all fitness levels and abilities. Unlike traditional touch rugby, the ball can be passed forwards (and backwards, sideways, any way you like!) with teams only having two possessions to create a touchdown. This is ideal for anyone wanting to try something new and for other sports teams wanting to cross train.
3 x 3 Basketball (students and staff)
Every second Sunday, Main Hall, 1-5pm
3x3 is a formalised version of three-on-three basketball. With over 250 million players worldwide and among the most played recreational sports in the world, this variant of the sport is currently being promoted by FIBA and is highly tipped to become an Olympic sport as soon as Rio 2016. Come along as individuals or groups. The format will be structured on the day.
Parkrun (students, staff and public)
Saturdays 8-11am around campus. Check website for dates.
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| Join in
Leagues and TournamentsSoccerZone (students and staff)
Fridays12-5pm, at the Pavilion 3G pitch
SoccerZone is the campus-based five-a-side football competition played every Friday between 12pm and 5pm in the first two terms and between 5pm and 9pm on Mondays and Fridays in the summer term.
Kent Amateur Football League (students, staff and Alumni)
Saturdays 1.30- 9:30pm at Pavilion 3G pitch Sundays 1-6pm at Pavilion 3G pitch Sundays 2-6pm at Pavilion astroturf pitch
The Kent Amateur Football League (KAFL) is played in the eleven-a-side format, with a focus on inclusion and increased participation.
Inter College Cup (students)
The University comprises of five colleges; Darwin, Eliot, Keynes, Rutherford and Virginia Woolf. The Inter College Cup is played between the five colleges on campus and is a multi-event sports competition
aimed at students. Colleges accumulate points throughout the academic year based on the results from each of the five sports; badminton, men’s basketball, men’s football, netball and tennis.
If you would like further details of how to get involved or to find out which college you are affiliated, to please contact the sports development team at: [email protected]
Inter College Basketball (students)
Every second Sunday 1-5pm Main Hall
Inter College Netball (students)
Saturday 12 October 1-5pm, Hall 2
Inter College Football (students)
Wednesdays 12.30-6.30pm at the Pavilion 3G pitch and Thursdays 8.30- 10.30pm at the Pavilion 3G pitch.
Inter College Tennis, Badminton and Rowing (students)
Times and dates to be confirmed. If you are interested please contact [email protected].
on themovekent.ac.uk/sports
‘Here at Darwin and Woolf Colleges we are
extremely keen to encourage participation
in the college teams. We have seen the
startling results that engaging in team
sports can bring, both on the field and
off. It encourages not only team play, but
also tactics, problem solving, organisation,
management and fundraising skills. All
these skills will bear fruit as students
become graduates in the workplace.
We also see how college affiliation helps
to create a sense of belonging and community, it builds a formidable network
early on in life that lasts for many years.
As well as all the benefits to students, we
are also keen to get Darwin and Woolf
back on top in the winning stakes! So ‘go
for it,’ we are right behind you.’,Dermott O’Brien, Master of Darwin
and Woolf olleges
‘The Inter College Cup is fantastic to get
students from the different colleges together and
compete in loads of different activities. For me
and my children, this year’s highlight were the
basketball competitions, where we had front-row
seats. We really got to know some of our (and
the competing teams’) players. I was really blown
away by the skills all the teams showed and I am
very proud of the Rutherford team, who made it
into the final. You guys rock(et).’
Peter Klappa, Master of Rutherford College
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Join in
Vice-Chancellor’s Cup (staff)
The Vice-Chancellor’s Cup was introduced in 2011 by Graham Holmes, Director of Sport. It is an inter-departmental, multi-event, staff competition for all abilities; to encourage staff to keep active in a fun and non-threatening environment. The programme runs from February to October and full details can be found on the website at www.kent.ac.uk/sports/vc or from your department.
Coaching and courses Kent Sport offers a range of weekly coaching sessions for student staff and public members. Places are limited, so booking is advisable at either the Sports Centre or Pavilion receptions.
Squash (students, staff and public)
Mondays 1-2pm in squash courts 3 and 4, starting Monday 7 October 2013
Badminton (students, staff and public)
Tuesdays 1-2pm in main hall, starting Tuesday 8 October 2013
Tennis (students, staff and public)
Thursdays 5-6pm at Indoor Tennis Centre, starting Thursday 10 October 2013
Golf (students, staff and public)
Mondays 5.30-6.30pm at grass pitches starting Monday 12 May 2014
Coaching sessions are FREE to gold and silver members and are subject to change,
so please check the website for full details.
FA Level 1 Coaching Course (students, staff and public)
Course one is over two weekends on Saturday 12 and 19 October and Sunday 13 and 20 October 2013.
Course two is on Saturday 8 and 15 February and Sunday 9 and 16 February 2014.
FA Basic Level Referee Course (students, staff and public)
Sunday 26 January and Sunday 2 February 2014 (TBC)
England Netball Beginner Award Umpiring Course
(students, staff and public)
Autumn 2013 (dates TBC), please check our website.
English Lacrosse Level One Umpiring Course
Please check Kent Sport website for dates.
All courses and coaching are subject to change, so please check www.kent.ac.uk/sports for details or contact: [email protected]
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‘Just wanted to say how much I have
enjoyed the tennis courses. Now we
have the indoor courts, maybe we can
do them all year round!’
Laetitia Gullett, staff member
‘The introduction to golf was very enjoyable, with a friendly and informative coach. It’s only lack of time
that’s prevented me from putting the
skills I learnt into action!’Wendy Raeside, staff member
| Feature
I went to Sicily on the recommendation of fellow climber friends. I thought I would check it out to add to my list of world climbing destinations and I was not disappointed!
We arrived at our destination, Palermo to San Vito, in the darkness of night and we could not believe our eyes. A big part of the crag (cliff face) was lit up with flood lights, illuminating the entire cliff face in a bright white light. The first thing on all our minds was…we can do some night climbing here!
As the sun rose the following morning, we were all eager to get out and explore. Five minutes walk through the green vegetation of olive trees and cacti and we reached the base of our first climb. I geared up with quick draws, helmet, slings and squeezed on my tight climbing shoes and proceeded my first ascent up the steep rock face. We climbed throughout the day, only resting for lunch, starting on nice easy routes with giant hand holds and progressed onto the more intermediate ascents, balancing and technical, edging feet on tiny holds up the rock. The grade used is the recognised French grading system. There is a whole range of grades to climb from F4’s up the high F8’s.
We watched the orange glow of the sun set over the horizon, until darkness came. We then headed over to the floodlit crag and made an effort to make the most of our trip with some night climbing, head torches and all!
San Vito has a yearly climbing festival in October, which also includes exciting sports like trail running, mountain biking, and kayaking. The festival is an international sport and tourist event, gathering hundreds of climbers, runners, bikers and kayakers from all over Europe. The festival also hosts film shows, featuring mountain and adventure movies.
Over all I had a fantastic time. I ate lots of pasta and Italian ice cream and drank Sicilian wine. Locals were friendly and I tried to get by on my limited knowledge of the language. Sicily is definitely one place I would go back to for sport climbing.
If you are interested in climbing, contact the UKC Mountaineering Club by emailing [email protected] or check out their website at ukcmc.org/wiki
Climbing in Sicily By Emma Harrington
Oli, Naomi, Lissa and Ebrina
Barbell, weights, step and mat
Increased strength and endurance. Tones and develops muscles.
‘It’s awesome!’
Darius and Ray Gloves, mitts and circuit stations
Develops boxing form/technique and promotes strength and endurance.
‘Box your way to fitness - boom, boom! I have already noticed my arm muscles.’
Jeni Just you
Jeni and Clair Just you - if you can!
Cardio Cheer Hayley Pompoms ‘I loved this class - I felt like I was in Glee!’
Jeni, Hayley and Miles Just you. No partner needed
HIIT Mike Indoor and outdoor circuit stations
Pilates Ray and Ebrina Mat, straps and blocks
Chris, Oli, Pat, Mike, Darius, Ben and Ebrina
Spinning bikes
Yoga Monica, Liz and Daniala
Mats, blocks and straps
Jeni, Hayley and Lissa Just you
Jeni and Lissa
16
Join in A brief overview of some of the classes held in our studios.
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Bokwa® participants draw letters and numbers with their feet, while performing an energising and addictive cardio workout routine.
World-renowned resistance training programme. The original barbell workout.
Sizzling cardio dance workout, combining the hottest routines and latest music from around the globe.
A fun way to get in shape and improve your moves. Get your heart pumping, and boost your confidence.
Mix ballroom and latin dances together to create a really fun, energetic and effective way to stay fit and keep trim.
An intense whole body workout, using pauses within each set of exercises to really get the best from yourself.
Slow core conditioning with an emphasis on body awareness and control.
Stationary cycling across endurance, interval and strength themes.
Relax and explore strength, stretching and breathing.
Dance fusing latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to awesome music.
The popular fast and slow rhythms of Zumba combined with toning and sculpting movements.
Fitness that’s ‘Strictly Fun!’
Class InstructorsDescription
Fitness & Dance Classes Duration
Choreographed boxing routines, promoting strength and toning.
Oli, Naomi, Lissa and Ebrina
Barbell, weights, step and mat
Increased strength and endurance. Tones and develops muscles.
‘It’s awesome!’
Darius and Ray Gloves, mitts and circuit stations
Develops boxing form/technique and promotes strength and endurance.
‘Box your way to fitness - boom, boom! I have already noticed my arm muscles.’
Jeni Just you
Jeni and Clair Just you - if you can!
Cardio Cheer Hayley Pompoms ‘I loved this class - I felt like I was in Glee!’
Jeni, Hayley and Miles Just you. No partner needed
HIIT Mike Indoor and outdoor circuit stations
Pilates Ray and Ebrina Mat, straps and blocks
Chris, Oli, Pat, Mike, Darius, Ben and Ebrina
Spinning bikes
Yoga Monica, Liz and Daniala
Mats, blocks and straps
Jeni, Hayley and Lissa Just you
Jeni and Lissa
Instructors
17kent.ac.uk/sports
| Join in
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Fitness & Dance Classes
‘Loving the easy to follow steps and music is amazing. Anyone can do this class if you can spell then you can Bokwa. Can’t wait for my class every week.’
An intense cardio dance workout that feels like a fun night spent dancing with friends at a party, to music you love.
‘Booiaka is a brilliant dance class whether you can dance or not. Anyone would enjoy this class, it is great fun.’
Fun, cardio class helping with coordination and fitness with set routines to follow
Using ballroom and latin steps this cardio workout will help your fitness. The structured classes deliver real, measurable fitness results.
‘I love watching Strictly Come Dancing. Now I can try it in the studio. It is so much fun you don’t even realise you’re getting fit!’
Strength, agility, stamina, power, fat burning and resistance to pain!
‘Hard core. Intense intervals but so worth it in the end. I love it!’
Increased core stability, muscle tone and control. Relaxing and rejuvenating.
‘Pilates has really helped my bad back, but I don’t do it just for health reasons; I do it as I really enjoy the class.’
Improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens legs and core muscle groups
Improves flexibility, posture and balance. Breathing techniques help to relieve stress for a healthy body and mind.
‘I love the relaxing effect and the stretching. I have become more flexible as a result and my balance has improved tremendously.’
Increased fitness and co-ordination and a guaranteed smile!
‘Great for letting your hair down and having fun. It doesn’t matter if you can’t dance or lack co-ordination, as long as you have a good time.’
2.5kg or 1lb Zumba toning sticks
Resistance training combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat.
‘I love Zumba so I tried toning, adding the sticks is really amazing and I have noticed a marked difference in my arms, core and overall fitness.’
Building strength and endurance within a party atmosphere. You will get fit and burn calories in no time whilst moving to the pulsating beats.
‘I love the fact you have different training days, endurance. strength and intervals then race day….all on a bike….brill!.’
ResultsEquipment What our members say:
Please see the timetable or website for full details of all classes.
18
Interview
Sport at Kent
Sport is an integral part of many students’ lives here at the University of Kent. For some it entails competing on a weekly
basis in the University colours as part of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) programme, others compete on behalf of their College, whilst others partake in sport as a means of socialising and exercising with fellow friends and colleagues alongside their studies.
In my role as the Kent Union Vice-President for Sport, I aim to provide our students with the best possible opportunity to thrive and to develop by means of playing sport. Regardless of whether they’re competing in a National Championships or having a kick about with their housemates on a Saturday morning, sport means so much, to so many and throughout this year I will strive to make it more accessible, affordable and ultimately more enjoyable for all.
Sport matters!
Sport plays an important role in several different areas, such as employability, recruitment, widening participation, retention, wellbeing, student satisfaction and community engagement. Sport has the power to change lives, with the ability to enhance and to develop one’s personal skills through means of working and interacting with others. It is imperative that we make our students aware of the skills they’re gaining as a result of playing and volunteering in sport and how best they can articulate those skills to enhance other areas of their lives, none more so than their academic studies. This year I will be focusing upon the importance of sport within higher education and staking my claim that sport at University really does matter.
Over the past year we saw the evolution of Team Kent, which resulted in us finishing 30th - our highest finish in the BUCS league table in recent years. As we look forward to the new academic year we have 12 teams currently in BUCS 1A and the National Premiership combined. Last year we saw a number of our teams battling it out for
Kent Sport is looking forward to welcoming Chris Bull, the new Kent Union Sports Vice President into the fold. Here he talks to us about his thoughts on the role of sport at the University, his hopes for Team Kent and why you should get involved.
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Chris Bull
Chris Bull19
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kent.ac.uk/sports
promotion, of which ten clubs won their respected leagues, three of which made it into the National Premiership playoffs. Besides the traditional BUCS Wednesday afternoons, we had many outstanding individual performances throughout the year, which resulted in national success, both in the form of titles and national selection. Amongst all this success we once again regained our Varsity title for the 17th successive year, with a record margin of 30-10.
The future
Over the next year, I would love to see Team Kent, grow and develop even further. We’ve now laid the foundations to build upon our success. Over the next twelve months I’ll be working very closely with our individual sports men and women and their respective clubs as I hope to provide them with greater resources and expertise to allow them to progress. In the near future I would also love to be able to bring a number of major University Championships to our campus, in doing so putting the University of Kent on the national sporting map.
Sport is for everyone and this year I am really excited to work with numerous clubs, organisations and societies as I strive to make sport here at the University inclusive and accessible to all. Over the next year
expect to see a number of campaigns and events that not only raise awareness of various liberation groups, cultures and non-traditional sports but also provide greater opportunities for each and every one of us to get involved within sport, regardless of our ability and our background.
Get involved!
I stand here today in what is an extremely privileged position: I have the opportunity to stand forth on behalf of our students to provide them with the best possible opportunities with regard to sport. I am so very fortunate to have been given this opportunity, one that I will give my all. My time at university wouldn’t have been the same if it weren’t for getting involved within sport. On leaving university, people remember their time through the people they met, the things they did and the places they went. Sport epitomises this and presents many incredible opportunities for all those that get involved and I cannot reiterate those words enough. For all those who have thought about playing and/or volunteering within sport here at the University, all I can say is to get involved. Regardless of your ability, your motives and your background, sport can present an opportunity for all, and you never know, you might find yourself a part of the premiership battling netball squad, playing badminton with your fellow course-mates, or you might even become a student volunteer at the 2014 Varsity Competition. Whichever it may be, there are so many opportunities out there waiting to be discovered. So go on, get involved today!
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Chris Bull competing at BUCS in Leeds
20
Health and fitness
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How we can help
Achieving a healthy lifestyle is often a surprising challenge for students living on campus or away from home for the first time. It can be equally challenging for our staff or public members who may be juggling a busy day at work with family and social commitments.
However, a healthy lifestyle can help your concentration, give you more energy, relieve stress and is a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Our team of qualified instructors are proud to offer a full range of one-to-one health and fitness appointments to help you get the most out of your workout, achieve your goals or just lead a healthier lifestyle.
If you are lacking motivation or want to take your fitness and lifestyle goals to the next level, why not book an initial fitness consultation to discuss how we can help you move forward? See details of all our fitness and nutritional consultations opposite. Consultations are availabe from £5 and are bookable at reception.
Alternatively look out for the return of Xercise Factor which opens for auditions in the first term and runs after the Christmas
vacation. Looking even further ahead in the academic calendar, you will find the annual Fit 4 the Beach promotion, which will run in the summer term of 2014! See our feature
on pages 24 and 25 for further details.Quick tips for a healthier
lifestyle:
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Exercise daily – whether
it be in the gym or just a
quick walk
3. Get plenty of sleep
4. Snack the healthy way,
choose raw nuts, fresh
fruits or berries
5. Eat breakfast.
With the new sports facilities at the Canterbury campus there is no better time to join Kent Sport and benefit from the enhanced fitness services and facilties available.
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Fitness and nutritional consultationsFind out about the fitness and nutritional consultations offered by Kent SportExercise induction
A full induction on the use of all equipment in the fitness suites. You will work one-to-one with an instructor who will ensure you are able to set up the equipment in the fitness suites and you understand the different programmes and modes on the equipment consoles.
Initial fitness consultation
This appointment provides the catalyst for discussing all our other fitness services and provides an environment for you to discuss your health and lifestyle objectives, activity history, injuries, health concerns, diet, training preferences and anything else relevant to your wellbeing. Following this 30-minute discussion, you will be offered advice to determine an exercise path to meet your needs.
Exercise programme
Whether you are a beginner or experienced gym goer, our programme service may be the difference between you achieving your goals, whether it be strength, endurance, health, sports fitness or a 5km race to a marathon. Our team of trainers will be able to write a suitable programme for you to follow.
Fitness asessment
Following the opening of our new facilities Kent Sport is now able to offer increased fitness testing to both individuals and teams. Whether it is a benchmark for pre-season fitness, weight management measurements or occupational entry tests, such as the forces or the Fire Service, we have a broad range of testing tools to help measure your progress.
Nutritional services The Kent Sport team, whilst not nutritionists, do provide a Nutrition Consultation services, where you can discuss your eating and drinking habits with a qualified instructor who will advise you on simple changes, which could have a big impact on your diet.
Personal training
With the new facilities launched, Kent Sport is now better positioned to offer personal training for members at a very competitive rate. A one-to-one session with a personal trainer can broaden your understanding of exercise choice, whilst also adding motivation and variety to your sessions in the fitness suite. Whether you are working towards a goal, striving to get better at your sport or if you simply just work better with someone there to push you harder, personal training could be the health and fitness solution for you?
Please speak to a member of the Kent Sport fitness team for more information on any of the appointment services.
How we can help
22
Health and fitness
Chris Payne, Kent Sport Health and Fitness Instructor and accreditied strength and conditioning coach UKSCA, tells us about the benefits of training over exerciseKent Sport provides services for everyone, from those who simply want to improve their health and become more active, to elite athletes.
Many members may feel like just attending the Sports Centre is sufficient to stimulate health and fitness changes, however for others exercising isn’t enough, training is the way forward…
What is exercise?
Exercise implies that a person is engaging in a form of physical activity. Walking the dog, cleaning the house, a recreational game of badminton, and going for a jog on the treadmill are all forms of exercise.
What is training?
Training is the process of goal setting, learning new skills and applying those skills in the pursuit of health, fitness and performance. Although beneficial to stress relief and social interaction, general exercising will
not help you realise your fitness goals, but training will!
Setting fitness goals
It is important to understand what a fitness goal is, losing weight and toning up is not a fitness goal. Losing weight and toning up is a by-product of training.
If your fitness goals were instead to improve cardiovascular strength and learn the five basic movements of a kettle bell: once these goals were achieved (over time) the by-products could be weight loss and an improved body fat percentage. Now you can start to set further goals and give yourself a set period of time to achieve those goals. If the goals are achieved then further benefits in physical adaptation will take place. if you do not manage your goals, assess why and change your training in order to reach what you set out to achieve you will not reach your goals.
‘Do not exercise to try and have a better looking body, have a better conditioned body because you train’
Chris Payne, Kent Sport health and fitness instructor
Learning to train
The fitness consultations offered at Kent Sport can assist you in your goal setting and to achieve the ‘training’ state in your workouts.
See page 21 for details of the fitness services available to members to help you reach your goals and improve your training.
Chris Payne asks the question and seeksto define the difference between exercise and training
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Training vs Exercise
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| Health & Fitness
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Training vs Exercise
To assist you in understanding training principles and to help set appropriate programmes, Kent Sport are also introducing the Fitness Training Seminar Series. This series of seminars will be held during the first term and entail a weekly group presentation and demonstration of a specific topic related to fitness training. These seminars are open to all members and our aim is to help you learn new skills, improve technique and realise the benefits of effective fitness training.
The topics covered over eight weeks will be:
Week Seminar series topic Week commencing
1 Barbell Strength Training 7 October 2013
2 Strength Training for Women (first of a weekly women-only strength training group)
14 October 2013
3 Cardiovascular and Heart Rate Training (spinning case study).Powerpoint presentation
21 October 2013
4 TRX Suspension System and Using the Octogan Bodyweight Cage
28 October 2013
5 Human Sport Cable Stations 4 November 2013
6 Kettle Bells and Power Bags 11 November 2013
7 Barbell Strength Training 18 November 2013
8 Cardiovascular and Heart Rate Training (spinning case study). Powerpoint presentation
25 November 2013
Fitness training seminars
Please check our website for additional fitness training seminars
24
Health and fitness
Have you got the Xercise factor?Following a year off during the new build, Kent Sport is pleased to confirm Xercise Factor returns this year, with auditions opening during the autumn term.
Members will be asked ‘Have you got the Xercise Factor?’ as they are invited to apply for this popular promotion. Members have the opportunity to list their health and lifestyle goals and history on their audition form before the fitness team mentors select their candidates. In a light-hearted reference to the similarly named TV show, each mentor prepares a regime for their contestant over the Christmas vacation before the promotion starts in earnest in January 2014, and the contestants are put to the test.
Successful candidates work together with their mentors to achieve their goals and commit to new health and lifestyle habits. Whilst the first challenge is often against their own bad habits, contestants ultimately compete against each other for the duration of the promotion.
The Xercise Factor is in its third season, after missing a year due to the new build. Two years ago six members were selected to undertake the Xercise Factor and were put through their paces by their mentors with some amazing results.
The Xercise Factor is a complete overhaul of exercise and lifestyle habits and the promotion requires full commitment from the contestants to complete and potentially win the title of Xercise Factor Champion 2014!
Xercise Factor aims to make long lasting changes to member’s lifestyles. So if you think you have the Xercise Factor, then look out for the X-Posters soon around Kent Sport and be sure to complete your audition slip, available after 1 November 2013.
‘The Xercise Factor had been truly
life changing. It really has, I think
if I hadn’t done it I would still be in
the rut of wanting to do something
about my weight but not physically
doing anything. If I hadn’t broken
my routine, I’d probably still be
exactly the same as I was a year
ago!’Inaugural Xercise Factor Winner,
Emilie Saintas
‘Exercising no longer feels like
‘exercising’, it is now part of my
normal daily life whether it be an
hour in the gym, attending class or
simply cycling to and from work.
My new lifestyle has enlightened
and inspired me, and seeing the
differences in appearance and
measurements makes me even
more motivated. Then of course,
there is the massive decrease in
my stress levels! Today I feel fitter,
healthier and above all, happier.’
Reigning Xercise Factor champion,
Jana Ray
returns in the
summer term
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‘The new gym at the
University of Kent’s Sports
Centre is perfect for this sort
of varied training and I’d
love to keep up the personal
training sessions after this
promotion ends.’
Heather Ferguson, staff
member and Fit 4 the
Beach contestant.
‘Fit, maybe not – fitter
definitely! I find myself
wanting to go to the gym
and I truly believe that
this time around I’m really
going to stick at it! So
thank you for giving me
the this opportunity and
the encouragement to
persevere.’ Lyn Scarfe, 2013 Fit 4 the
Beach winner
returns in the
summer term
Are you Fit 4 the Beach?Fit 4 the Beach is our summer promotion and returns during the summer term with a surprising new twist for 2014!
Six lucky applicants will win the chance to get fit for the beach as they are guided through a challenging personalised training programme to help them reach their goals and empower them with new knowledge about exercise, training, fitness and nutrition.
Four students and two staff took part in this years Fit 4 the Beach challenge.
The winner was Lyn Scarfe, a staff member who worked with Fitness Instructor Mike Burrell. Lyn applied to Fit 4 the Beach after receiving Kent Sport’s e-newsletter asking
for applicants. She decided to make an application, as she wanted to get fit before hitting 40.
Mike commented ‘I was on hand to correct form or advise as required but the primary aim was to give Lyn the knowledge and ability to control her ongoing training.’
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Club focus
Try something new! Sailing and windsurfing with the University of Kent’s Sailing and Windsurfing Club (UKCSWC)
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UKC Sailing
UKC Sailing
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Sebastian Scott, founder of the Universities Sailing and Windsurfing Club, tells us about the Club and its fresh start...
The Sailing and Windsurfing Club was re-founded in 2009 by a small group of determined sailors, windsurfers and enthusiasts. With just a handful of enthusiastic members, a fleet of toppers donated by the Croydon Youth and Schools Sailing Association, three old windsurfing boards and two storm-battered 420 sailing dinghies, UKCSWC made an appearance at the Fresher’s Fair. Our aim was to build a competitive club to rival other universities’ watersports clubs and to make the most of the opportunities on offer through its affiliation with Whitstable Yacht Club, based in the lively sea-side town.
There was never an official ethos for the club, but its diversity and mix of experienced and inexperienced members highlights what UKCSWC stands for; a club that anyone from anywhere with any experience could join, feel welcome and be part of the group.
UKCSWC is by no means the biggest or the most successful club in the University however it has one of the biggest hearts, and anyone who joins to sail, windsurf, or party will not fail to make lifelong friends.
The social side
Our Social Secretary Elise Baseley will be organising big nights out, with bar crawls both on campus and in Canterbury, as well as meals out at the WYC and in town throughout the year. The Christmas meal is one of the highlights for UKSWC, and is a great way to celebrate the end of the first term. We also have regular trips
away, including the infamous windsurfing trip - Aussie Kiss, held in Cornwall. We finish the year with our annual Summer Tour abroad for a week of sun, sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and a day on a 50ft yacht. The last three years we have visited the island of Lefkada, Greece and plans for 2014 UKCSWC Summer Tour are already underway!
and Windsurfing
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Club focus
The future
We currently have five Topaz sailing dinghies, which are ideal for members new to sailing or for those who just want to chill out on the water. For experienced members who are looking for a greater challenge, our Sailing Captain Luke Higgins will be organising some Team Racing events away, in addition to a few sailing sessions with the Kings School Canterbury who own a fleet of 420s. This year we are also looking to expand our fleet of sailing dinghies. We have been recently been awarded a grant from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and are currently looking to buy two Laser 2000s and train up more of our members to become RYA instructors.
Get involved
As well as full access to kit, the UKSWC membership includes one year’s membership to the Whitstable Yacht Club, a guaranteed place on the 2014 Summer Tour, and tuition from RYA instructors in addition to weekly Whitstable sessions and socials. At £65 the UKSWC membership is great value and not to be missed.
We welcome sailors and windsurfers of all abilities with taster sessions on the 5 and 6 of October 2013, so you can find out for yourself what it’s like to be part of the UKCSWC.
Come along and make new friends!
For more details about the Club and how you can get involved, feel free to contact anyone of our members on our Facebook page or visit the Kent Union website: www.kentunion.co.uk
A day in the life of... UKC sailing and windsurfingWill King is a third year Architecture student from Colchester, Essex and has sailed since a young age. Now Public Relations Officer for UKCSWC Will tells us about a typical weekend with the club.
The weekend
For me, going down to Whitstable every weekend with the Club gave me a break from all the lectures, essays and coursework at Uni, as well as a chance to meet people outside my course. Here is a brief glimpse into a typical weekend session at Whitstable, and what it’s really like to be part of UKCSWC.
11am - say hello!
Late enough for those recovering from a hangover, but not too late to make the most of the day, we meet at the Keynes car park before catching a bus down to Whitstable. With over 60 members last year from a range of courses and year groups, we are looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of Freshers this year to the Club as well as catching up with some old faces.
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Will King
UKCSWC Public Relations.
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11.30am - rigging up
Having arrived in Whitstable, our next destination is the clubhouse of the Whitstable Yacht Club (WYC). One of the oldest and largest sailing clubs in England, WYC holds regular club racing which offers our members an opportunity to crew in a variety of sailing dinghies. As part of the UKCSWC, you will have full access to kit including beginner and intermediate windsurfs, sailing dinghies, wetsuits, buoyancy aids and shoes. Everybody lends a hand to help rig up the boats and windsurfs on the beach, so if you’re a complete beginner, one of our experienced members will be happy to show you what to do. All kitted up, it’s now time to head out into the water.
12 noon - on the water
Buddy up and go for a sail or take a windsurfer out for a ride. If you haven’t sailed before, one of our RYA instructors or experienced members will take you out to help you quickly learn the ropes (pun intended) in a fun and safe environment. You will learn how to control and manoeuvre the boats, from tacking and gybing (turning the boat into the wind and against the wind), capsize practice (safely righting the boat if it overturns into the water) and how to control the mainsheet of the sail (the ‘accelerator’ of the boat).
Our windsurfing gurus, Sammy T (Vice President) and Sarah Mae Love (Windsurfing Officer), will be close by, giving out hints and tips on the best techniques for windsurfing. Don’t worry-
we have a rescue boat on the water during our sessions to help you out should you get into difficulty.
1:30pm - time out
Apart from great waters for sailing and windsurfing, Whitstable has a lot to offer including great places to grab a bite to eat. Against a backdrop of fishing boats and lobster pots, take a wander along the south quay of the harbour and pop into the famous Whitstable Fish Market or follow the sea wall and pop into The Forge and try some of their tasty doughnuts! For the best fish and chips I would recommend V.C Jones Fish and Chip Restaurant, located
just a stones throw away from the WYC on 25 Harbour Street. The WYC clubhouse also serves good food at affordable prices.
2:30pm - back on the water
If you have been sailing all morning take this chance to give windsurfing a go or vice versa. We will set out a course and have a couple of friendly races to give you a chance to practice the techniques you have been learning.
4pm - hot showers
The sun is beginning to go in and so do we, although when the weather is good we tend to stay out longer. Wash down and pack the boats and windsurfs away and head over to the changing rooms.
5pm - it’s not over yet
It’s been a fun day but it’s not over yet. Equipped with a bar and comfortable sofas, the WYC clubhouse is an ideal place to relax after an active day on the water. Now warm and dry, we head back to Uni and get ready for the evening social.
30
Feature
Following the opening of our £4.8m redevelopment of the sports facilities at the Canterbury campus, we look back over the history of Kent Sport, its development and major events.
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1968 Opening of our first sports hall and squash courts four years following the opening of the University of Kent.
Jan 1971 English Table Tennis Championships - the first major event held in sports hall.
Sept 1971 First grass pitches opened but no changing facilities. Campaign starts for changing rooms to be built.
Late 1970s Oast house changing facilities and wooden changing hut alongside the cricket pitch become available.
Late 1970s Red shale training area, astro pitch and running track with floodlights introduced.
1983 First purpose-built gym on site of current Wellness Area.
1983 First sports membership fees introduced for students,- to allow for greater investment in sport at the University.
1992 Cricket Pavilion built.
1992 Sports hall two built.
1968
1970 1980 1990
1983 Slade concert in main sports hall.
.
History of sport
1988 International church leaders converge on Kent Sport for the Lambeth Conference.
2000 2010 2020 2030
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History of sport at Kent
2001 High specification sprung floor installed in the main hall.
Oct 2009 New Pavilion opened, including changing rooms, reception, café and seminar room.
2005 Astro, 3G and all-weather tennis courts built.
2012 Work starts on £4.8m Olympic legacy investment in new sports facilities.
2013 New facilities open, including indoor tennis centre, third sports hall, larger studio, fitness suite, physiotherapy clinic, self-service fast-track kiosk and online booking system. 2015 - 2025
Swimming pool, glass backed squash courts, a cycle hut and new pitches. See page 32 for more details.
2003 Kent cricketer Dave Fulton opened the £1.5m refurbishment and extension to the Sports Centre, including a new studio, new gym and new reception.
What are your memories of Kent Sport? Do you remember any of these events or can you think of any other interesting events or facts about Kent Sport? If so tell us on Facebook at UniKentSports or email [email protected] so we can include your memories in future editions.
2014 The University of Kent’s 50th anniversary.
32
Feature
Director of Sport, Graham Holmes sets out his plans for the future of Kent Sport.Last year we provided services to over 6,500 individual student members at Canterbury, not including the additional sports users at Medway or staff and community members. This is a large proportion of the numbers at Canterbury (and growing) and a clear signal that sport at Kent is one of the most (if not the most) successful areas in encouraging student activity and engagement.
As part of our ongoing commitment to sport and physical activity, we will continue to push the boundaries on what is achievable here at Kent on behalf of every student and every member of staff.
The need for a swimming pool
Enquiries about plans for the development of a swimming pool on campus arise more regularly than comments about any other aspect of sport at Kent. There has been considerable interest expressed on a daily basis for many years. In fact the University publication ‘From Vision to Reality’ has plans in 1964 that show a swimming pool (page 87), so this is nothing new. There must have been an intention to build a pool on campus even then, with only a tiny proportion of the student numbers we now deal with. So, nearly 50 years later and looking forward a further 50 years, it is appropriate and right that we now seriously consider the one facility we don’t have that has always been in the greatest demand.
Wet facilities in any leisure complex is the thing most people desire. This is a fact known across the leisure industry. It is the thing that is most attractive to non-traditional sports people. It is an amenity that is likely to engage those who don’t ordinarily take part in sport. I call it the ‘Hotel Syndrome’ in that any hotel being considered by its potential guests is instantly more attractive if it has images of its own swimming pool attached to it. This would be the same for the university, and in particular for our potential students.
• Wet facilities will be a fantastic service that we can offer our students and staff.
• It is by a large margin the one thing that is requested/asked about most at all open days. The prospective students do not ask ‘Have you got a pool?’. The question we are asked often is ‘Where is the pool?’. We constantly have to try to explain why we do not currently have one, when all the evidence and demands points out that we should.
• A significant proportion of universities now have swimming pools. This number is growing every year (without research into this at time of writing, I expect the number to be between 30 and 50 universities)
• A swimming pool complementing the existing range of sports facilities at the Canterbury campus would be an asset and clearly an additional consideration for prospective students when selecting their university.
• Swimming is one of the most beneficial types of exercise and the positive impact it would have on health and wellbeing for students and staff is well documented.
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Moving forward
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| Feature
Over the next 18 months I will be looking into the feasibility of developing wet facilities on campus. This would include a 25m pool but with the addition of a significant spa facility. This is something not often seen on university campuses and would be unique, if not currently very rare within the university sector. This would make it very attractive to prospective students, and a wonderful stress reliever for staff.
Increasing demand on grass pitches
There is also a need to develop additional pitches for our ever-increasing numbers of student sports teams, be it at inter-university, inter-college level or other.
Kent Sport’s long term goals include developing sports pitches by utilising some of the land adjacent to our existing playing fields. This would require close working with the Estates department regarding the master plan for the university estate.
Some of these new pitches will simply replace others lost due to various building works over the last few years. The intention is to end up with a positive balance of pitches, with more than we had prior to building works, in line with the ever increasing numbers of our various sports teams. The continual increase in demand has put extreme pressure on our current pitches to the point now where it is increasingly difficult to maintain them due to their overuse, despite the great work being done by our grounds maintenance team.
The alternative would be to reduce the amount of sport being played by our students, and this is simply not an option.
Other potential ideas in the mix for future development:
• Conversion of the existing courts to two glass backed squash courts, providing more space, light and visual relief in what is otherwise a long corridor.
• More multi use space for a variety of exercise activity (cross fit, TRX etc).
• Better cycling facilities
• Additional artificial pitch
• Greater emphasis on more off campus activities such as outdoor activities, leadership development and water sports.
We welcome any other ideas or suggestions and will always add them into the mix for future consideration, though I think the ‘space station anti-gravity chamber’ suggestion was ‘one small step’ too far (or was that a giant leap too far!).
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Moving forward
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Feature
New research commissioned by BUCS proves that sport has a positive impact on graduate employability and shows the current average salary of graduates who engaged in sport is £32,552 compared with £26,728 for those who do not. More than just earning power, the study shows 51% of graduates say sporting involvement has helped them develop team work skills and leadership qualities in the workplace.
The research set out to look at the impact of engagement
with sport on graduate employability. They used a
mixed method approach, which included
secondary analysis of Sport England’s
Active People data and primary research with the key
audiences, including 13 interviews with Vice Chancellors, 112 interviews with graduate employers and 5,838 interviews with graduates.
Graduate perspective
The results from both primary and secondary research showed that graduates who took part in sport have a higher annual household income than graduates who do no sport and the relative growth in career earnings is also greater for those who took part in sport.
51% of graduates said that engagement in sport at university had a positive impact on employability skills. Graduates who had also been involved in the organization and management of university sport reported that this experience had the greatest impact on developing key skills. They were also the least likely to have encountered a period of unemployment.
Employers perspective
Graduate employers were overwhelmingly positive about the benefits of graduates having engaged in sport whilst at university. Many employers actively looked for a mention of engagement in sport in graduate job applications. Positive attributes including team working, communication skills, motivation, competitiveness and resilience were deemed important by employers. However, employers emphasised that applicants need to demonstrate employability skills and attributes that they have developed through sport, rather than just listing playing sport.
On the Move looks at new research from British Universities Competitive Sport (BUCS) by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, which proves that sport has a positive impact on graduate employability.
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Sport matters!
94% of employers
questioned identified
a clear link between
university sport participation and valuable
skills and strengths in
potential employees.
Average earnings of
graduates who engaged in
sport at university is £5,824
higher than those who did
no sport.
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University perspective
Senior executives within universities agreed that sport was an important factor in the student experience and was an important determinant of choice in student recruitment.
Student engagement in sport whilst at university (especially volunteering) is considered to have significant impact on student employability and is an essential part of the development of ‘well-rounded’ graduates.
Conclusions
As numbers of graduates increase, students need to do more than pass a degree to get their first job and to sustain their employability. The evidence indicates strongly that in the context of rising fees, engagement in sport provides a good career return on investment of between £4,264 and £5,616 per annum.
There is significant evidence from employers that engagement in sport is a recognised strength, but it’s not just about playing sport, it’s the involvement in volunteering and management aspects that provide competitive advantages in the jobs’ market.
Students who engage in sport need to be able to make the best use of their experience in the recruitment process by demonstrating transferable skills.
The sport offer at university is not just about investment in facilities, it’s an overall package which includes participation and opportunities for engagement in volunteering, management and leadership activity.
There is a need to ensure that the value
of engagement in sport (as recognised by graduate employers) is communicated and promoted in universities to all who have a role in helping graduates prepare for employment.
The research concluded that sport does matter and can contribute in various domains. It is a force for good and a sound investment from the graduate, employer and universities’ perspectives.
Now is the time for all partners and stakeholders to realise the potential of sport and to act accordingly.
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Sport matters!
‘My view is that engaging in sport could have some significant benefits to candidates when making job applications.If it was a team sport and the candidate was a captain or took a leading role we would take this seriously as a non-academic achievement.
It’s a supporting factor alongside their application of having taken the opportunity to practice and develop leadership skills.’Waitrose spokesperson
This research was undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of BUCS. For more information and to see the full report, visit: www.kent.ac.uk/sports/news.
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Sports scholars
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On The Move talks to two University of Kent sports scholars about their sport and what it means to be a sports scholar at Kent.
Freddie Hulbert - Cricket Philosophy
Why did you choose to pursue cricket?My grandparents introduced me to test cricket when I was younger and I am yet to witness a greater sporting challenge. Cricket is an intellectual contest as well as a physical one. There is no other sport which offers so much diversity and variation in play; one pitch, one team and one set of weather conditions might offer you a completely different challenge from the next. Cricket is a complex sport steeped in tradition, something still apparent in the game today.
Who has had the biggest influence on your sporting career so far?Probably the 1st XI captain I played under when I joined at Priory. Jason was tough on me but he showed me how to make the jump to the highest level of cricket. In many ways I learned more from him in the first season than I had done in the six years previously whilst learning the basics of the game.
If you could be any person in the world, who would it be and why?
Hugh Laurie. He’s bright, talented and House was without doubt the greatest television show ever.
Who or what motivates you?
Aside from a constant desire to be better than my younger (and infinitely more talented) brother, I am motivated by the prospect of winning. There are few things in life more satisfying than winning, especially when it comes at the expense of somebody else. More than anything though, I love the game for all its imperfections and I relish each new challenge it brings.
What does being awarded a Kent Sport scholarship mean to you?
Having the use of a gym and a trainer to aid your development is an opportunity anyone should relish. The staff at Kent are fantastic and as scholars we couldn’t ask for anything more in terms of support. The training has undoubtedly been beneficial to my cricket and I hope I can continue to reap the benefits of the scheme while I am here.
Spotlighton our sports scholars
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Emma Stanley - Korfball Law
Korfball is a mixture of basketball and netball played by two teams of eight players.
How did you get into your sport and at what age?At the age of eight a korfball coach encouraged me to join my primary school team. After only two months I was playing for the local club, Invicta, at Under-9 level.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career so far and why?My Scotland coach Bethany Bennett. Beth has always encouraged me to play to my full potential and to never feel intimidated by male players. Despite the majority of teams playing through the male players scoring, Beth has always motivated me to take more shots with the same amount of confidence as a male player, I feel this is why I am now the University’s top scorer.
How does being awarded a Kent Sport scholarship assist you?The scholarship makes it much easier for me to afford travel to the many tournaments I attend around the world, representing Scotland. Knowing I have financial support from the University makes me constantly play at my best to prove I deserve the award.
What are your sporting ambitions?To be captain of Scotland and compete in the Commonwealth Games when Korfball officially becomes accepted into the competition.
Who or what motivates you?
My team motivate me to do well, not just for my own individual performance but my contribution to our team effort. When my team competes in tournaments we always have a group of supporters who come with us and support and motivate us which is always makes us strive to do better.
My family also motivate me, especially my father who was the manager of my Under- 11 Tornados korfball team.
I am also motivated by competition. After leaving our local team for university teams, my old Tornadoes and Kent teams have mostly divided into many different university teams. This results in many of us playing against each other in national and southern tournaments. This motivates me to do well, to prove I can play just as well adjusted to a different team.
Please list your top three sporting achievements, so far?
Being the youngest player the Scottish International team has had in their starting line up.
Representing Scotland U23s in the World Cup 2011 and almost beating the Dutch Internatonal korfball team, the highest ranked korfball team in the world and winners of the World Cup most years.
on themove
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SILVER membership includes access to all sports facilities, with limited access to the fitness suite at the following times: weekdays between 7am-9am and 2pm-4pm, Saturday 9am-11pm and Sunday 10am-12pm.
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Anyone can become a member of Kent Sport.We offer Gold, Silver or Bronze memberships for University of Kent students, alumni, staff and members of the community.
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University of Kent StaffGold £258 Silver £219 Monthly payment via payroll is also available subject to conditions.
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To apply, complete a staff membership application form, available from the Sports Centre or our website. Return the form to Kent Sport reception with your staff card, contract or last payslip. If you are taking out ‘partner’ membership you will also need to supply proof of partner ID.
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Join at Kent Sport reception. See our website for further details regarding membership options at: www.kent.ac.uk/sports/memberships
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