The University of Stirling Students Union
Stir It Up (Sports Zone) Meeting
Minutes of Meeting held on 11th November 2014
- Members Present:Amy McDermott Union President and Chair (AMc)
Chris Priddle Sports President (CP)
Lauren Marriott VP Communities(LMa)
Lauren MckayVP Education(LMc)
Paddy Wilson Participation and Engagement Officer (PW)
Paige Turner Communications Officer (PT)
Jenny Lister Health Promotions (JL)
In Attendance:Netball - Caitlin McEachran(CMc)
Rachel Venton(RV)
Equestrian - Jennifer Rae(JR)
Emma Maitland(EMa)
Ellie Murdoch (EM)
Athletics - Ben Murdoch(BM)
Josh Taylor(JT)
Golf - Christopher Long(CL)
Volleyball - Markus Ostlund(MO)
JosefinDahlin(JD)
Tennis - Nikki Howie(NH)
Callum Scott(CS)
Fraser Hamilton (FH)
Women’s Basketball - Nicola Bradley (NB)
Meghan Plummer(MP)
Emma Cuthill(EC)
Women’s Lacrosse -Hannah Welshman(HW)
Badminton - Steven Watson(SW)
Yule Zhang(YZ)
Men’s Basketball - James Williamson(JW)
Fencing - Jamie Grant(JG)
Kevin Linklater(KL)
Tanya Dunton(TD)
Alistair Gordon(AG)
Dance - Clair Duncan(CD)
Georgia Danso(GD)
Kelly McDonach(KMc)
Jenna Holland(JH)
Jess Morris (JM)
Squash - Ben Maddley(BM)
Men’s Football - Alex Wilson(AW)
Men’s Rugby - Jack Hardie(JH)
Robbie Swan(RS)
Cricket -Graeme Etheridge(GE)
Men’s Hockey - Daniel MacDonald(DMac)
Stephen Thrower(ST)
Fraser McClelland (FMcC)
Callum Brown (CB)
Matthew Brews(MB)
Touch Rugby - Philip Clements(PC)
David Glen(DG)
SUTGC - Sarah Dunn(SD)
Greg Mihill(GM)
Connar Davidson(CD)
American Football - James Lighbody(JL)
Jorge Gutierrez (JG)
Ladies Hockey - Robyn Blair(RB)
Mhairi Hall(MH)
Ladies Football - Carolyn Reid(CR)
Aliexa Ball(ABa)
Nature Society - Alastair Buchannan (AB)
Observers:Scott Chaplain Sport Development Coordinator
Apologies: Not Applicable
Absent without Apologies:Not Applicable
- MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
AMc–Welcome everyone to the ‘Sports Zone Stir it Up’. As you may be aware the Student Union structure changed last year and we now have three zones: Liberation, Communities and Sport. Within each zone there is a ‘Stir it Up’ meeting where motions cab be passed. As this is a ‘Stir it Up’ I will be chairing the meeting. Following this meeting the minutes shall be available online from the Students Union website.
- CHALLENGES TO ORDER PAPER
Other Business is moved to the end
- DATES TO NOTE
4.1 Charities Week 10th – 14th November
VP Communities (LMa)–Charities Week is ongoing this week. In relation to sports club tomorrow (Wednesday) is the big day. During the day in the Atrium we have Forth Valley students coming in to do leg waxing. In the evening we have Blind Date and signups are going well, we also have the Sports Union Quiz. All the funds raised will go to Connors Journey.
AMc – As we have Rugby President in attendance can you tell us more about Connors Journey?
JH –One of our players, Connor, suffered a serious spinal injury in the first game of the season back in September. Since then he has remained in a Glasgow hospital and has no feeling from shoulder down. His family are trying to raise 25,000 to get Connor to California. Part of the fundraising the Rugby club are selling ‘Blue Bands’ and they can be bought in the Atrium on Thursdays. We appreciate all the support and fundraising to date.
CP -Bands can also be purchased from the Union Office for £2
AMc-I would also like to add that I extremely proud and impressed with how all the sports teams have come together to show support and help one of their own.
4.2Free Education Demo 19th November
AMc- The Free Education Demo in London on the 19th of November. It is a great cause I would encourage everyone to get involved. Education is a right not privilege so if anyone is interested in attending let us know as there is a bus running from the University.
4.3 De-Stress Week 17th – 21st November
VP Education (LMc) - De-stress is running from the 17th to the 21st November. Over the course of the week there will be a number of activities that aim to highlight ways in which we can De-Stress for example are we have the ‘Paws Against Stress’ are bring the puppy’s back in on Monday, tickets will be available from the atrium. On Tuesday we have a ‘Fitness and Exercise’ day were the Badminton and Muay Thai Boxing are doing demonstrations in the Atrium. We have a chill zone and Yoga activity during the week.
4.4World Aids Day 1st December
VP Communities (LMa) - This will include Atrium activity with LGBT, GEM and First Aid Africa, and is open to any other societies too, and possibly external charities such as Africa on the Ball. We are pursuing turning the lighting in Studio red to help raise awareness
- Elections & Resignations
5.1 Elect one member to the Elections Committee
AMc – We have a position on the election Committee that we need to fill. This can be postponed if there isn’t any interest or if anyone is interested it good way of getting involved in Union activity and gaining more experience. It may also be a good opportunity for anyone who is thinking of running for a Sabbatical position in the future. The main part of the role is to assist with organising and facilitating the Union elections, which it would involve workshops, meetings and general publicity. Is anyone interested?
No response
AMc – Ok we shall move on.
- REPORTS / PRESENTATIONS
6.1Sport President Report
CP – In terms of projects and work I have on at the minute:
Women in Sport:The conference was a massive success and congratulations to Rebecca, for delivering such a fantastic line up of speakers on the day. Scott is also in the process of the writing up a report that shall be presented to the Principal then onto Shona Robison. We are also looking into running another conference next year however changing the focus on a more action and solutions based conference.
Wheelchair Basketball: We are currently trying to set up a Wheelchair basketball club. We had a demonstration session from Basketball Scotland in October and have another session on Wednesday 3rd December from 1 – 3. We also applied to the Stirling Fund to get sport wheelchairs.
New Clubs: We have had a couple of new clubs form such as, Futsal and Self Defence, with the further possibility of Shinty.
Active Stirling: We have also been working closely with Active Stirling. We are trying to expand the Stirling Games event to 8 sports this year. A number of our clubs such as American Football and Table Tennis have been volunteering in the community. The Hockey club are also going to be going on the Hockey UKCC Level 1 course at the weekend in partnership with Stirling Wanderers.
Wallace Community Sports Hub: We are also working with Active Stirling within the Wallace Community Sport Hub, which is aiming to enhance community sport
Scottish Student Sport: My work with SSS on the competition committee is also continuing, we also now have two Play Sport Promoters now volunteering for them. SSS have also asked us about clubs looking for more activity. I know Netball and Hockey have been in touch. So anyone is looking to do more then let us know.
BUCS:We obviously have BUCS Wednesdays that is continuing. I was also at a BUCS conference last week in Nottingham. One of the main focuses was how student sport in Australia was structured. Over there due the distances between universities they focus more on inter-mural sport between schools or halls.
Men’s Rugby: I would also like to show appreciation for the work that the Men’s Rugby are and the fantastic fundraising work they are doing for one their teammates Connor.
De-Stress: As mentioned in the key dates we have De-Stress week next week, there shall be loads of activity of the Atrium so get involved.
6.2President Report
AMc –
Free Education: As mentionedpreviously mentioned in the key dates, I am organising a group of students to go down to London next week for the Free Education Demo. It is for a really good cause that effects as all is again if anybody is interested in coming let me know.
Equalities Campaign: I would just like to say how proud I was last week when all the home teams wore Rainbow Laces as a stand against Homophobia in sport. It would also like to give the Men’s Hockey team a special mention as it was their idea to wear. So thank you to everyone who got involved. It was great to see so many sport teams and members support the campaign.
6.3Participation and Engagement Officer
PW -
SSS: As a Play Sport Premotor with SSS I am working on project with Pam to look into how we can best integrate different student groups within clubs. For example looking at how we bridge the gap socially between Fresher’s and Scholars> we are using the tennis club as a pilot for the project.
Active Stirling: I am also working with Active Stirling on the Community Sport Hub
AirTV: As a Head of Sport at Air TV I am looking at how we can get more coverage and commentary on games
6.4Communications Officer
PT –
Media Officer: It’s been a bit of a slow to my role on the Exec Committee as I have been waiting for the Bye-Elections and the media officer to be elected. Now they have been elected I shall be working with them on how best to promote the sport teams from the university media outlets
Club Marketing: I am also looking at what clubs could do to market themselves better. This might, in the future, involve workshops with clubs on how best to create posters and videos.
Communication: Another thing I am looking at is how we can best communicate with teams. For example instead of speaking to clubs in the corridors about getting involved in the campaigns, could we have another forum where we can offer these opportunities to all clubs for example at a Presidents Forum. If there is anything you want from or the rest of the exec committee then just let me know.
6.5Health Promotions Officer
JL –
Health Promotions: I have been getting involved in all the health promotion stuff we have going on such as De-stress Week and World Aids Day. Get along and get involved.
- DISCUSSION AND DECISION TOPICS
CP – Moving on to thediscussion and decision topics. The first one we have on the agenda is Kukri Kit. So has anybody got anything to say?
7.1Kukri Kit
AG – We changekit provider
AMc–The thing I would add is that it isn’t as easy as moving away from Kukri as have a sponsorship agreement with them which involves us receiving sum of money and we would have to give that up. I am aware that we now have a new Sales contact. We need to make them accountable and make sure that they have to provide a level of service which makes them deserve the Sports Union contract. I feel that we need to give the new Sales person time to change and improve the service they give to us.
CP – What I would add is that if we are looking to change kit provider then mid-semester isn’t the best time to do it. It would be much easier to do it at the end of the year. I have also been involved in communication with the University about getting one kit deal for the whole of the university. It is in the early stages but it is something that we can work on.
CMc – The Netball club have also had issues with the quality and type of material that the dresses are made of. There hasn’t been a consistent design used, some of the logos on the dresses are stickers and some are embroidered. It doesn’t look great when the dresses are different. We have also had dresses that we only long purchased rip already.
RB – Ladies Hockey have also been taken off the website for some reason
AMc – If you could collate all your issues then we can take them to Kukri
FH –The scholarswithin the tennisclub have a different provider however when we have order Kukri kit is has taken a while to be delivered
CP - If any of you have issues come and speak to us about your individual kit complaints
7.2We Want Wednesday Win
CP – This was a policy that was passed last year and we are just wondering how well it is has been applied. How many of you have got classes on a Wednesday afternoon?
JH – I have a mandatory attendance lecture on a Wednesday afternoon
LMc – If any have classes that is impacting on playing sport then can you email me, John Gardener will be furious
7.3President Forum or Clubs Council Return
CP – As Paige mentioned earlier we are looking at what are the best ways to communicate with you as Sport Union members and Club Presidents. There has been the suggestion that the return of Presidents Forum or Club Council would be seen as a good thing. What are your thoughts?
PT – I think the return of Presidents Forum would be a good thing. I was on the exec last year and the Presidents Forum was a good way of communicating with Presidents to get across information in a less formal way. I felt it had more commitment and interest from Presidents as opposed to these meetings. The informal nature of them was a big part to it.
CP – For those of you that aren’t aware of Presidents Forum it was as Paige says less formal and was held in W1 as opposed to a big lecture theatre that we are in here. We also got free pizza which was good as well.
AMc – I would like to add that in terms of the types of meetings, Club Council is what you are sitting in now. I would encourage you all too fully interact in these meetings and bring things to us to help shape what these meetings are. You can also make us accountable, as Sabbatical officers.
PT – The thing about President Forums, they were more regular and had better engagement.
AMc–I would absolutely encourage more engagement from the Sport Union members in union activity as they are the biggest cohort within the student population. The need more engagement to ultimately shape what we do as a Union.
CP –Can we have a quick show of hands on who would like a return of Presidents Forum?
Vote result in favour of a return
7.4Sports Ball
CP – This year we are looking to hold Sports Ball on Saturday 18th April. So pencil it in your diaries
AW – Is it going to be at Murrayfieldagain?
CP – I am not sure what were your thoughts on Murrayfield last year?
AW - I liked the fact we ate in one room then moved to another at night
RB - We had issues seeing the stage from where we were sitting last year. It meant that we didn’t see any of the presentation.
CP – It hasn’t been decided yet where to go this year but these are factors to consider. We also need to take in the consideration of the capacity of the venue. Local venues have a reduced far reduced capacity to those in Glasgow or Edinburgh, but with those you have to take travel into account
AMc – Sports ball is an example of what I was talking about earlier in terms of shaping and inputting in what we do. It might be an idea to try and form a Sport Ball Committee that gets input from a wide range of members.
PT – That is the role of the Sport Exec
7.5Women in Sport
CP – We obviously held the Women in Sport conference last month and it was a great success. We are looking for some feedback on the event and wither it is something we should continue with next year. Carolyn you were there, what was your thoughts on it?
CR – It was really good. I enjoyed all the talks I went to and thought the SSS was good. The only thing was that the tickets were expensive and it was hard to get them. It being on Wednesday wasn’t ideal as people were playing sport and I also had to go to class between sessions.
CP – Yeah those are things to consider. As a mentioned, Scott is writing up a report so if anyone has any feedback or anything to input into it, them just let him know. We also looking at how to progress the good work that has been done, this may involve a different conference format
AMc – In terms of actions and initiatives to come out the conference we are looking to deliver a Women and Sport Leadership programme in the New Year. So look out for that and get involve if that interests you
ABa – One thing I think the sport teams within the Sports Union should help promote each other by for example the Women’s Football tweeting support to the Men’s Football team. I also think that they’re should be a better working relationship between teams.
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS
LM – Just to let you all know that Rate awards opened please nominate any fantastic members staff. They are open till the 13th March. Also to let you be aware ELIR (Enhancement led Institutional Review) has student focus groups on for the Reflective Analysis. The student voice is key in this aspect to ensure changes that are made are what students need. If any of you want to join keep an eye on your emails.
8.1Transport
FM - Men’s Hockey are having issues with transport. We can’t get a 14 seat mini-bus; we can only get a 12 seat bus. This has resulted in us doubling on costs on fuel
CP – I am aware of this issue and have been speaking with Arnold Clark