March 2015

WE ARE STALLIONS

FREE MAGAZINE

Hello all welcome to the March Edition of We are Stallions.

It has been a fantastic few months for all the Stallion teams out there. Everyone has worked extremely hard to try and help Northampton move up the BUCS table as much as possible. March has become such a busy month for everyone involved it has decided if many of our teams stay where they are, get relegated or promoted for next season. We had sports awards on Friday night which was a fantastic success and enjoyed by all. Coming up in the next few days is our annual Varsity against Team Derby who we managed to narrowly beat last year at Derby.

Throughout this edition I will be brining you all the latest information around campaigns the AU is getting involved with, looking at the future of University sport, all the highlights from Sports Awards and an insight into Varsity.

Make sure to tweet us @wearestallions

All that is left to say is “GO STALLIONS!”

Also, that is the Wealdstone Raider and yes, he does want some!

Davidx

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Contents PageIs Intramural the Future of Stallions’ Sport

This Girl Can

Q & A with Becky Craven

Who’s horsing around for Varsity?

Varsity 2015!

Sports Awards

Season Recap

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Left photo: Northampton Student UnionRight photo: Nina Cartwright

More and more students are getting actively involved in sport whilst at university.

The majority of students engaging in sporting activities at the University of Northampton do so in competitive manor usually in the BUCS league. However, hundreds of students are getting involved in intramural leagues. The difference between intramural and BUCS sports are the fact that they play other students with in the University for fun. These sports are still highly competitive with teams still battling it out for a winning title. Currently Northampton Student’s Union offers intramural in a wide variety of sports including Football, Netball, Badminton, Rush Hockey, Flag American Football and Rounders. Richard Say, the current sports officer at Northampton Students’

Union thinks intramural is fantastic way for students to engage and get involved in sports. “Often many students have a great passion for playing sports. However, sometimes they can’t fully commit due to lecture or placements. Also many students don’t feel confident at first to get involved with BUCS sports so intramural is a great way to build up your confidence and skills. Also helping you create a great set of friends.” To help gather more funding from the Athletic Union’s (the body of students in charge of governing sports) Engagement Fund. Every team tries to create as wide a demographic of participants as possible. So every team can apply for funding to get more equipment or hire out larger facilities so more people can get involved. Many sports teams such as Men’s Football use their intramural league as a gateway to

their three BUCS teams. If they see some fantastic potential they will offer the students the opportunity to move up into their BUCS teams. Recently this happened to Laurence Cheese. “It was a great opportunity to move up from the intramural league into the Stallions third team. Playing intramural helped me develop myself as a player and athlete. It was a great moment when James Cooper the football President offered me the opportunity to move up and enhance my skills even more. With over two thirds of people over the age of twenty in the UK being classed as obese the intramural leagues that the Students’ Union offer are a fantastic way for people to stay active whilst having fun at the same time.

Is Intramural the Future of Stallions’ Sport?

Unathletico Madrid Vs Uni 4th team. This Girl Can logo from www.thisgirlcan.co.uk Photo: Adryanne Beaveruuuuuu Girl, Photo: Northampton SU

This Girl Can

This Girl Can is a national campaign developed

This Girl Can is a national campaign developedby Sport England and a wide range of

other organisations. It’s a celebration of active women across the country, who are doing their thing no matter how well they do it or how out of breath they get. Northampton Students’ Union plans on rolling out a campaign to get more women involved in playing sport. The majority of students at the University of Northampton are female, however sport still tends to be male dominated. Throughout the Stallions teams there are numerous mixed and female only teams where you can participate in confidence without feeling humiliated or nervous. Laura Everton, Netball Intramural Officer, said “Before I came to university I had engaged quite a bit of sport mainly trampolining and netball.. However, I never really had the confidence to take it anywhere further. When I first signed p to both sports, I was a bit hesitant to how I would cope. But after a while the girls and boys that I trained with became some of my best friends. Once you’re all at that stage of friendship there is no need to worry about embarrassment because nobody is judging you.” However, if you feel that there is no sport here that is ideal for you, do not worry. You can create your own sport be it Dodgeball or

Modern Pentathlon the Students Union here at the University of Northampton will help you along the way. All you need are four other friends to help create your sport. One of you to be the President, another to be the secretary and also somebody to be the treasurer along with two other team members. If you don’t fancy joining a team there are numerous other ways to stay active at the University of Northampton. The Dance Club offer a weekly social class where you can go along and learn a new routine and try some different styles of dance ranging from ballroom to banghra. Jo Furber, Dance Club President said “No matter what your skill level or dance experience everybody joins under one collective and has fun. If it is your first time at a dance class or your umpteenth it is always fun and you’ll always take away something new.” The University of Northampton also offers a fully operational gym on Park Campus. If you are a student of the University of Northampton you will be able to get a vastly reduced rate and support and guidance is always on hand from trained instructors and supervisors. The University of Northampton in conjunction with Planet Too and

Northamptonshire County Council have a bicycle rental scheme throughout

the local area. The system runs very similarly to the Boris Bike system in London where you can rent out the bike for a small fee and then return it to numerous points in the local

area. So if you fancy reducing your

carbon emissions but increase your calorie burn make sure

to give it ago. The bikes are available

from both Avenue and Park Campus along with the train station, Kingsthorpe Shopping Centre and the town centre.

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Joe Costello; “Through taking part in the intramural football league, I have com-pletely built up my confidence and it has not only enhanced, my physical skills but it has turned my social skills to something that will continue to develop with time.

Georgie Sainsbury; “When I came to this university I didn’t think I was going to fit in in the slightest. Howev-er, I then plucked up the courage to join Rounders. Rounders has helped give me an extra boost in life. I’m currently about to be treasurer for the second year in a row. Without the Stallions and the Rounders team my Uni experience would have been com-pletely different.

Harley Itai; “in my second year, I found my true passion and that is Cheerleading. I was always hesitant to try it due to the stigma attached with it. But I just decided that I was not going to let anyone put me down and I’ve never looked back. Without the opportu-nities for free Sport the Northampton Students’ Union offers. I think most peoples’ Univer-sity experience would be a whole different game.”

How Stallions’ Sport has Helped Me

Becky Craven is currently a sabbatical officer at the University of Northampton Students’ Union.

She is Vice-President for Student Experience. Becky is currently in charge of sports, societies, volunteering and media output. Whilst studying at the University she graduated with a BSc in Sports Development. Becky has been a keen sports woman throughout her life representing the Stallions in both Women’s Squash and Netball. I spoke to her about Sports within the Students’ Union.

Q: How did you go about getting your role as VPSE?

A: I was elected last March in the annual Student Union elections by

the student body of the university.

Q: What drew you too the role of VPSE?

A: Before being elected as VPSE I was the Students’

Union Sports Officer which is a part time officer position. I also had a great love for the Students’ Union sporting output having represented them in Netball and Women’s Squash during the three years of my degree.

Q: How does the

sporting system work within the Students’ Union?

A: Every month committee

members from each sports team meet at an Athletic Union (AU) meeting. Here the AU committee members vote upon different issues reflecting sports teams such as how the funding should be divided from the different pots. We have grants available for Health and Safety and Sports

Development and New Sports, which each team can apply for. Each team is also tiered dependent on how many members they have.

Q: How does the tiered system work within the Students’ Union?

A: The teams are tiered depending on how many members they have.

At the top of the tier system are the platinum clubs; it then goes gold, silver, bronze and then new sport. New sports tend to be sports which have just started up such as this year we’ve had an athletic team and swimming team created.

Q: How many teams are at platinum status at the moment?

A: Currently we have Men’s Football and Badminton.

Badminton have only recently become platinum within

the last year due to a large influx of members for their intramural and social members who come along

every week to have some friendly competition.

Q: What has been you major focus so far this

year within sport at the SU?

A: Well coming up in a few days we have

our annual Varsity event against the University of Derby. This is only the second year we’ve had a Varsity and it’s the first time it has been held at

home. Working alongside Paul Robbins the Sports

Development Officer for the Students’ Union to help create the best possible event and hopefully retain the trophy again.

Q: Sustainability is a very key issue

within the SU. What do you think you have done to leave

a lasting legacy within Sport at Northampton Students’ Union?

A: I have recently created a system called a club council where I will

go into each team and speak to their members without the committee being there. That way I am able to develop a real understanding of how the club is really operating. I have also gotten the Stallions involved in the This Girl Can campaign. This will hopefully encourage more women to actively get involved in sport. Even though Northampton University has more female students than male. The sports teams are still very male orientated. Hopefully by rolling out this campaign, we can get more ladies involved in staying fit and active and helping them develop a real passion for sport.

Q: How essential do you think the free sport is, in getting people

engaged?

A: Without a doubt, free sports and societies is one of the greatest

things about Northampton SU. If we did not subsidise as much as we currently do, not everyone would get the same opportunity as they do now.

Q: Which sport are you most looking forward to watching at this year’s

Varsity?

A: Well, that’s a tough one for me. I really enjoy watching all the sports,

even if it does involve standing out in the pouring rain for a few hours. Or in the case of American Football it feels around 10 hours! Sadly however, Women’s’ Squash aren’t involved in the upcoming Varsity so I’ll have to say I’m most looking forward to watching Netball. Having been in their position last year, I know how nerve racking it can be in an enclosed environment with everyone chanting. However, under Lauren Cassidy our current Netball first team captain, I’m sure we’ll smash them by a fair few points.

Q: Finally, with Varsity soon approaching, what do you predict

the score to be?

A: Well it’s always a tough one to work out especially after how close

it was last year. But I’m predicting a Stallions victory of course with us

Q&A with Craven

Photo: D Lewis and Northampton SU

The University of Northampton’s biggest in house sporting rivalry is back again, Cross Codes. Rugby League (formally known as the Gremlins) and Rugby Union (formally known as the Bears) will battle out over a mixed disciplinary match.

The first half of the match will be played as Rugby League and the second half as Rugby Union settling the scores over who is the better team.

The last time Cross Codes happened, back in 2013. Rugby League destroyed Rugby Union with a 54 to 0 victory. However, Rugby League have had an awful season this year either losing every game due to walkovers or injury.

The match will take place on Saturday 28th March on the Pavilion field. With all money raised going to the Wooden Spoon charity, which is the children’s charity of rugby. Gates open at 2pm with kick off commencing at 2:30pm. During half time a barbeque will be available serving burgers and hotdogs.

So come down and support your fellow Stallions as they battle it out to be crowned the 2015 Cross Codes champions.

BEARS VS GREMLINS

2015

7Who’s horsing around for Varsity?

Varsity which is approaching upon us very quickly, the first year stu-dents on the BA Marketing course

have come up with the idea for our very own mascot for our first home varsity. As part of their course they have had to develop the character of Hampton and how they are going to sell him not just as the mascot for the Stallion sports teams, but also as the mascot of the University.

Hampton will be having very close ties with Bernie the dog, who is currently the mascot for the Northamp-ton Saints rugby club. There are plans in the pipeline to use both Bernie and Hampton along with the Stallion Cheer-leaders at an upcoming Saints’ match.

James Channon, a first year Marketing student said; “It was great fun getting involved with the whole Varsity hype. It gave me a real insight into how the marketing industry works to sell such a unique product.

During Varsity day Hampton will running round trying to get involved with as many sports as possible whilst also entertaining the hundreds of spectators who will be excited for the days events.

It will be extremely interesting if Hampton the Horse takes off. Maybe he’ll spawn a new passion amongst British Universities for mascots like they have in the States.

Varsity 2015For the second time, Northampton

Stallions will take on Team Derby for their annual Varsity event.

Taking place on Wednesday 25th March, Northampton Stallions and Team Derby will battle it out over 16 sports to take home the much coveted Varsity Trophy. With the majority of fixtures taking place at Park Campus. Last year Northampton Stallions were victorious against Team Derby, with the final score finishing at a dramatic 10 – 9 win. Can Northampton Stallions retain the trophy or will reign supreme? Varsity 2015 will commence with the Men’s football match on Tuesday evening. The match will kick off at 7:30pm at the local Spencer ground. Dan Dineen, Men’s Football Varsity Captain, said: “Varsity is a fantastic event that brings all the sports clubs at the University of Northampton together. So very often we’re all playing away at institutions across the country and unable to support on another. With our match opening Varsity, we wanted to ensure that we could include all the Stallions by bringing them all to Northampton Spencer FC.” Busses will be running from

Park SU from 6:00pm to make sure everyone has the opportunity to go and support their fellow Stallions. However, Varsity is a complete team effort. To insure a win, all the Stallion teams need to secure victory in as many sports as possible. Two points will be for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. At a recent Dance competition held at the University of Loughborough. The Northampton Stallions and Team Derby both competed, they both place equally within the competition meaning both Northampton and Derby head into Varsity at one a piece. Jo Furber, Dance President, said: “It was great to see the girls perform so well at Loughborough and we congratulate Derby on doing so well. It gives us both an interesting start to the 2015 Varsity.” Throughout the day the Northampton Student Union staff will be out and about to help guide you to enjoy the Varsity experience to the full potential. Information points will be set up at the main reception at Park SU and also outside the Pavilion. To go watch the majority of sports you will need to

purchase a Varsity T-Shirt. These will be available to purchase from Park SU reception from Monday 23rd March and cost £5. There are a limited amount available due to the capacity of certain arenas. So make sure to purchase these early otherwise you will be denied entry into Benham sports arena. Becky Craven, VPSE (Vice-President for Student Engagment) said, “There’s a real bus around campus from the student body and staff. Through all the students’ hard work, enthusiasm and the countless volunteering hours each sports team committee has made the day will culminate in great pride for the University. Make sure too look out on the day for some fantastic athleticism and a special surprise including the launch of our very own mascot. Come on you Stallions!” Wednesday 25th will culminate with an awards ceremony

2014 Varsity PromoPhotos: eduphoto.

2015 Varsity Promo: Northampton SU

announcing the 2015 victor announced in Benham sports arena in the evening. For many students it will be the last time they represent the Stallions due the BUCS season being over and due to graduation. I’m sure it will be an emotional day for all involved. Steve Dickens, Men’s Lacrosse Captain said, “It is always a sad ocassion to see your team

mates go. However, what better way to celebrate your last match as a Stallion than to lift the Varsity trophy high in the air?”

After the results and awards have been announced the Northampton Stallions will either be celebrating their victory or drowning their sorrows at Park SU where the official after party will go on until the early hours. With pints starting from as little as £1.50 it

will be the best way to celebrate on a student budget. The Varsity T-Shirt will guarantee you entry to the after party. So come support your fellow Stallions hopefully reign supreme again by supporting and cheering them on. Making sure Derby know what true support really is.

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Derby, you’ve got no fans!

Spencer Ground, where Men’s Football will play the opening match of Varsity on Tuesday night. Photo: Rob Bernard

2015 Varsity Time Table above explains where all the events are happening and at what location on the 25th. Courtesy of Northampton SU

Wealdstone Raider greeti ng

If you “want some Derby, the Stallions will give it to ya.” That was the message given by the internet sensation the Wealdstone Raider at a recent Insane Tuesday event.

The Wealdstone Raider, AKA Gordon Hill a painter decorator from just outside London shot to fame after his antics at a local football match went viral. After performing a rendition of his attempt at Christmas number one, he was more than happy to pose for photos and psych up the endearing fans ready for the upcoming Varsity.

He recorded a little video for the Students’ Union to use as promotional footage and get everyone in the mood for what should hopefully be an extremely successful Varsity. Atleast the Stallions have one famous fan!

Photo: D Lewis

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On Friday 25th March the University of Northampton Students’ Union held its annual

Sports Awards at Franklin’s Gardens the home of the Northampton Saints rugby team. Hundreds of students involved in sports at the university turned out to celebrate their sporting achievement and success throughout the year. The awards were not just attended by students and Students’ Union, Professor Nick Petford the Vice Chancellor of the University was in attendance in a much more docile appearance than the year before along with Jane Bunce, Director of Student and Academic Services and Deborah Mattock, Director of Human Resources. It was just food slightly fancier than the average student diet and awards, comedian Russell Kane was there to deliver a half time stand up performance. He made fun of the majority of the sports teams, especially Men’s Rugby Union and Men’s football, which were all taken with a lot of laughs. Tommy Bowdrey, Rounders’ President said, “Sports awards is one of the best nights of the year, it is a great opportunity to see all your friends and team mates dressed up and to celebrate the years achievements. It was great honour to be nominated for most improved club with Rounders. It just makes all our hard work pay off.” This year the Student’s Union was inundated with nominations for awards. Becky Craven, VPSE said, “It was such a hard job to decided between all

of the nominations. Every single club and individual that was shortlisted for an award should be extremely proud of themselves. With all the clubs this logging thousands of volunteering hours and achieving some fantastic sporting results the final decisions were so hard to make but we believe we made the right ones. Over 70 students received their half colours, an award given to students for representing their first team for two years and around 20 students received their merit colours an award for representing your first team for one year. However, one student, Jack Verling received his full colours from American Football for not only representing the University but also playing for Team GB. The individual awards were as follows, Sports Man of the year was given to Dan Dineen, Men’s Football 1st Team Captain, Sports Woman of the year was awarded to Megan Jones who plays for both Women’s Rugby and Women’s Hockey first teams. First year of the year was awarded Carly Ayre who plays Women’s Football and is in the Netball first team, she has recently been elected as Netball’s President. Sports personality of the year was awarded to Richard Say, the current Sports Officer for the Student’s Union.

After the individual awards were handed out it was time for the team awards. Women’s football won team off the year, Athletics won most improved club and Men’s football won the best sustainable team award due their low carbon emissions when transporting three teams around. Then

it was time for the big award, club of the year.

This award was closely contested by Men’s Football, Dance and Rowing. With the victory going to

Men’s Football.

Sports AwardsRussell Kane’s set w

ent down a treat w

ith both Students and Staff. Photo: N

orthampton SU.

Right: Students enjoying themselves at Franklin’s Gardens. Right: Men’s Football celebrating Club of the Year.Photos: Northampton SU

Plans are currently underway for the transition to Waterside in 2018. However, what sporting facilities are we gaining? Or more likely to be losing? From the proposed plans, it seems we will be having one 3G all-weather pitch, tennis courts and a sports hall.

But where does that leave us without our Rugby, American Football and Lacrosse pitches. Currently the only Lacrosse pitch in the county is at Park Campus. Does this mean we’re kissing goodbye to those expensive sports such as American Football which costs the SU over £200 per person per season?

Thankfully, the plans are not set in stone, so they are still subject to change and consultation. Not just from the students and staff but from the wider Northampton community. Hopefully the Student’s Union and wider community can come together and hopefully get the best results possible.

When the move does eventually happen. Will Varsity still continue? For the community feeling it brings to everyone. I really hope it does.

Season Recap11

This season has seen a lot of ups and downs for the Stallions.

However, the majority of them have been ups. We have moved four places up on the BUCS league table which couldn’t have been done without all the hard work and valiant effort of every single sports player here. Everyone’s commitment has shone through again. Four teams this year have been promoted to the league above. They are; Table Tennis, Women’s Football, Netball and Men’s Hockey. Each of these finished the top of their league, with Women’s Netball and Men’s Hockey

not losing a single match. Unfortunately we have had a few disappointing walk overs this year.

Rugby League fell short to a back

draft of injuries and Men’s

Basketball lost their passion. However, of our more

musical

teams, Cheerleading and Dance both placed highly in their respective competitions and Dance once again ran an extremely well executed competition in Northampton having roughly 20 other Universities in attendance. Rounders had a slow start to their season losing their first two matches by two rounders and half a rounder. However, they brought it back on Saturday finishing 2nd out of 8 Universities meaning they’re not as terrible as everyone makes out. However, the BUCS leagues aren’t over for everyone. Cricket have just finished playing their indoor season and now they are about to head out into the beautiful British spring. Meaning most matches will probably be rained off. Next season everything could change as we have a new influx of Freshers into our teams and our committees change. Hopefully Stallions will keep on winning because…

“WE ARE STALLIONS, SAID WE ARE STALLIONS!”

What does Waterside

mean for the Stallions?