University of York Students’ Union

With the much anticipated 2012 Olympics coming to London, sport has been thrust into the limelight. Thanks to the successful Olympic bid, the government, councils, schools and even the University is beginning to sit up and take sport more seriously.

The sports centre is due to be refurbished over the next few months; and with over 1100 people voting on the Sport at York motion in last month’s UGM, this really is an exciting time for those involved in sport at York.

With the introduction of top-up fees, prospective students want more than just a university with a good academic reputation; whether it’s sport, RAG or a good bar, the ‘Student Experience’ is becoming increasingly important. Potential students are choosing other universities over York, where academia is just as strong, but the sports facilities are better.

The development of Heslington East is the perfect opportunity for York to put itself on the sporting map. Universities such as Durham, Bristol and Warwick have proved that academic and sporting excellence can go hand in hand, and the AU and its members need to ensure that investment in sport needs to continue.

Another area that the AU is committed to, in line with the national targets set by the London 2012 sustainability plan, is increasing participation and volunteering in sport.

The Sports Volunteer Programme and Coach Education Schemes offer students the opportunity to gain coaching qualifications the chance to use your skills either within your university club, or in the local community.

We will automatically subsidise 20% of the cost of coaching courses for AU members, and if you plan to use your qualification for the benefit of your club, we will subsidise a further 20%. If you are willing to volunteer your time in the community we will fund up to 80% of the course.

It is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have in your time at University; knowing that you are making a difference, and giving kids an opportunity to try out a sport they may not have tried before. Just think - you could be coaching the next Jonny Wilkinson or Steven Gerrard!

It looks great on your CV, but more importantly, it’s a hell of a lot of fun – for more information about gaining a coaching qualification or volunteering, either regularly or on an ad hoc basis, contact Naomi on auvolunteer@yusu.org.

Posted by Alex Lacy on 26th Mar 2008