BU Sports Development Expedition 2016

camps-internationalSportBU are joining up with Camps International again this academic year, offering students the opportunity to work with rural communities in Kenya to develop a sports festival in the local school.

Barry Squires, SportBU, who has organised a presentation evening on 8 October about the 2016 expedition says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for any BU student to experience something many of us will never have the chance to. We’re looking for students who are enthusiastic, motivated and want to develop themselves as global citizens. There’s also financial support available from BU’s Global Horzions Fund to help make this possible. There’s no set limit of the number of students who can go, and we welcome applications from students of all backgrounds and courses.”

The group of students on the 2015 Expedition visited Camp Tanga in Tanzania for four weeks from mid-August earlier this year. Adam Arthur, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy student, says:  “When I first signed up for this trip I was hoping for an experience of a life time and I am delighted to say I have achieved this. In coming to this area where the only challenge in life is survival  I am proud to say I have helped to improve the lives of many of the school children and helped a head teacher to reintroduce sport into their curriculum at Boma Primary School so we can leave behind a SDX legacy. On a personal note I have gained many new experiences and feel as if I have grown as a person and in character in coming on this trip”.

Scott Wilkes, BSc (Hons) Sports Development & Coaching Sciences student, adds “This was the first time I had ever experienced anything like this and therefore had no idea what to expect. Speaking to the kids and getting to know them really makes you appreciate everything you have at home”.

Josh Green, fellow BSc (Hons) Sports Development & Coaching Sciences student shared: “this trip has helped me mature both as a person and as a sports coach and will help me improve my standard of coaching in the future – eel like the school has benefitted a huge amount from our efforts which made the whole thing worthwhile”.

The team have put together a blog of their collective experiences in the hope it encourages other students to get involved. Here’s a short extract about some of the practical elements of the project:

“The places you go are different to what you normally visit. The time you spend here will provide you with an unforgettable memory that will stay with you for many years. Watching the football and netball teams play helped us gain a better understanding of their needs and ability which we would soon be coaching. Theory lessons were introduced to ensure all the students were aware of international rules, to help compliment there technical and physical ability.”

As well as the work with the community and school, the group did have some down time at the weekends: “These are our days to come together as a group and enjoy what Tanzania has to offer. What is great about these times is that the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of activities such as, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, and venturing to the nearby towns to spend nights out the African way. These were our periods in the trip after working hard for the kids throughout the weekdays to come together to celebrate and experience Africa. They can also be a chance to catch up on much deserved R and R on the beach topping up that tan or join the villagers to cook their local favourite dishes”.

Read the groups full blog on Camps International and watch the video on BU’s YouTube channel.

To find out more, go along to the presentation evening on Thursday 8 October at 7.15pm in the Lawrence lecture theatre, Talbot Campus. If you can’t attend, visit Barry in SportBU, or look on MyCareerHub for details.

West Hants Club Squash and Racketball Offer

sportBU_logo_bigsportBU have arranged a partnership with West Hants Tennis Club, to give all BU students and staff discounted rates on squash courts.

The offer is available at the following times:

  • Monday – Friday 9pm – 4pm
  • Saturday 1pm – 4pm
  • Sunday 1pm – 7pm

Students: £2 per player (with access to changing and bar facilities post game)
Staff: £3 per player (with access to changing and bar facilities post game)

To book a court ring West Hants on +44 (0)1202 519455 stating that you are a member of BU staff and take your staff ID card with you to show at reception on arrival.

For further information, please contact sportBU by calling +44 (0)1202 965012 or email sportbu@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Dodgeball Mania!

SportBU-Dodgeball-sportBU proudly presents our very first Dodgeball Mania tournament…coming this March! 1st PRIZE for both the winning Student team and the winning Staff team is a Bournemouth 7’s festival team package worth £1200 for each!!

We are looking for teams to join us at our tournament on 8 March 2015, 12noon-6pm. Each team requires 8-10 players, at a small cost of £30 per team. Team entry closes on 2 March 2015.

The Bournemouth 7’s festival team package includes the following; TEAM ENTRY + 3 NIGHTS CAMPING + WEEKEND FESTIVAL TICKET (for 10 people).

Visit sportBU reception to enter your team. Spaces are limited, so don’t delay and sign up today!

Free Track Cycling Sessions

Free track cycling sessions are available to students and staff as part of the on-going Free Your Fitness campaign.

Sessions are held every Wednesday, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Slades Farm, a 10 minute walk from BU at Talbot Campus.

Coached by Jason Falconer, all equipment is provided – participants just need to bring along suitable clothing and footwear.

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Taster sessions available with SUBU ‘Let’s Go…Outdoors’

subu-lets-gosportBU & SUBU are teaming up to offer students the chance to try out some alternative sports including; Surfing, Skiing, Snowboarding and Kayaking!!

Book onto any of these tasters as part of SUBU’s ‘Let’s Go’ Campaign, starting in the next week! All just £10 each, so book your place online or contact SUBU Reception today to avoid disappointment!

BU varsity student successes celebrated at the 2014 Sports Ball

BU varsity students’ achievements were celebrated at the annual Sports Ball last week.

300 athletes went along to celebrate the achievements of all the teams and individuals who have represented BU over the past year. This year over 50 students were recognised for their contribution to BU Varsity Sports, and were awarded their University Colours, Individual and Team awards by special guest, Sarah Hunter, England Women’s Rugby Captain.

BU Varsity Sports offer students the opportunity to compete in over 40 team sports as part of the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition, which includes more than 144 universities in the UK. BU was ranked 34th out of 146 institutions in the 2012/13 league, and thanks to the efforts of teams such as men’s volleyball, women’s hockey and men’s football, BU is currently holding the 30th spot in the 2013/14 league.

Individual prizes were also awarded to several students and teams:

sports-ball-team-of-the-yearThe Men’s Volleyball team won the ‘Team of the Year’ award following a phenomenal season for both their first and second teams. Their successes include winning the Volleyball England Student Cup and the Beach Cup, as well as coming third in the National Cup final, and have put BU in 2nd place of the UK National Volleyball rankings.

sports-ball-jessie-dean‘Sportswoman of the Year’ went to Jessie Dean for her dedication, attitude and skill on the pitch that secured the Women’s Hockey Team their most successful season in nine years.

 

sports-ball-philip-smith‘Sportsman of the Year’ went to Philip Smith for his unwavering commitment and hard work which earned him a place representing Great Britain in both indoor and outdoor volleyball.

 

 

Other winners of the 2014 sports ball include:

  • Dedicated Athlete – Leigh Baker
  • Coach of the Year – Steve Cuss and Dan Neville
  • Most Improved team of the Year – Women’s Hockey
  • Team Performance of the Year – Women’s Hockey
  • Strength and Conditioning Team of the Year – Men’s Lacrosse

 

Find out more about BU Varsity Sports.

BU graduate ‘scores’ publishing deal with football book

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A Bournemouth University graduate has found success with the publication of a new book for budding football professionals.

Dean Caslake, an Accounting and Finance graduate, wrote ‘The Footballer’s Journey’ alongside current professional footballer Guy Branston to offer practical tips on becoming a professional footballer.

‘The Footballer’s Journey’ is aimed at young footballers, parents, amateur coaches and even current footballers who are looking to find success on the football field. The book also talks about the importance of education and how to react to setbacks within professional football.

Dean is no stranger to competitive football, as he was a key part of BU’s men’s football team while studying at university and nods to BU in his book. On studying at BU, Dean said, “Ultimately the experience at Bournemouth University improved my drive to achieve and opened my eyes to the possibility of doing something for myself and going it alone.

“After playing football myself and having a couple of unsuccessful trials with professional clubs, I was left wondering how the pros are different and what they had done that I didn’t to make the transition from an amateur level to a Professional level.  I initially had the idea to actually explore these unanswered questions in my final year at Bournemouth Uni.”

A number of current and former professionals were also involved in the book including current Manchester United footballer Chris Smalling and former Bournemouth striker and television pundit Steve Claridge.  Much of the work in contacting professional players was done by Dean, who said, “I contacted clubs and then sent individual letters to a large number of players at their clubs training grounds. Then it was a waiting game and thankfully quite a few responded.

“I must say I was hugely impressed with their willingness to help, they were brilliant throughout and gave up huge amounts of their time, and never once asked for a penny.”

The forward for the book was written by former footballer and television personality Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, who says, “The Footballer’s Journey is essential reading. It helps guide and advise not only football hopefuls, but also parents, and even current professionals when looking at life after football.”

The book was released in April 2014 and has been well received, with mentions in FourFourTwo magazine and an appearance on Sky 1 television programme Soccer AM due in May.  Further endorsements for the book have come from the likes of Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

Dean graduated from BU in 2013 and had these words of wisdom to share with current students who are burning with an idea for the future, “If you come up with an idea, or a project you have a great passion and drive for, and you think it can really make a difference and be successful, give it a try or you’ll forever wonder what might have been.”

More information about The Footballer’s Journey can be found through Amazon.

Community out in force for Sport Relief Mile

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On Sunday 23 March the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile set off in Littledown Park, Bournemouth, with around 300 locals walking, running and jogging for Sport Relief.  Super sprinters and willing walkers felt at home with a choice of one, three or six mile runs.

The event was hosted by Bournemouth University’s sportBU, in conjunction with AFC Bournemouth Community Sport Trust and BH Live.

Highlights included a 75 year old entrant who walked the course backwards and the youngest entrant, only 2 years old, who waddled the course with his parents to a standing ovation from the crowd of spectators!

Sainsbury’s supported the event handing out free fruit and water to runners and AFC Bournemouth brought down their inflatable shoot out machine for spectators to keep themselves entertained.

In total, more than £1,800 was raised for Sport Relief through the Bournemouth event.

BU men’s football team celebrate promotion success

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Bournemouth University’s men’s football team are celebrating this week, with the 1st and 3rd team clinching promotion to higher divisions.

The Men’s 1st team secured promotion with a 5-0 away victory against University of Winchester Men’s 1st team to claim the BUCS Western 2A League title.

The Men’s 3rd team finished the season with a top of the table clash against University of Bath and claimed a 2-1 away victory – with the winning goal scored in the last few moments of the game. They too, claimed their division title with the win and are promoted as a result.

From next season the Men’s 1st team will be playing in the BUCS Western 1A League, with the 3rd team playing in BUCS Western 2A League.

Marcus Dowdeswell studies Business Studies with Finance at Bournemouth University, and is Captain of the Men’s 1st Football team. He said, “The boys showed great commitment and character to win their respective leagues on the last game of the season. We have a strong squad, with strength throughout and I believe this is what allowed us to achieve what we did this season.”

Marcus continued, “There is a great spirit and will to succeed amongst the players and each member of the squad contributed to the success of BUFC. There are a number of final year students, including myself, within the squad and therefore the title deciding games were our last games for Bournemouth University FC, and this success concluded a great three years of university football for Bournemouth.”

Steve Cuss, Head of AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust, works with BU’s football teams as varsity football coach, and said, “Congratulations to all the players on the achievement of a double promotion.  We have enjoyed working with the players on a weekly basis, the effort and commitment shown by all has very evident and the two winning teams are reward for the hard work of the players throughout the season”.

Steve’s contribution to the football teams’ success was also highlighted, as the continuing link between Bournemouth University and AFC Bournemouth provides an opportunity for students to receive a professional level of coaching during their time at university.