Sport and Wellness- Dual Assurance Meeting
Thursday 4th June 2009 – John Usher room, Northcote House
Present
Russell Seal (Chairman of University Council) RS
Prof. Neil Armstrong (Deputy Vice-Chancellor) NA
Phil Attwell (Director of Sport) PJA
Simon Tyson (President of Athletic Union 2008-9) ST
Tom Murray (President of Athletic Union 2009-10) TM
Dr Harriet Tillson (Sports Performance Administrator)
Apologies
Jeremy Lindley (Director of Corporate Services)
The minutes from the previous meeting on 29th January 2009 were approved.
Matters arising from previous minutes
Rowing: PJA reported that details and costings were being finalised re the new boat
house. Building the new facility would be start in Spring 2010 and it would be ready
for Oct 2010. A boatman would be employed. NA pointed out the importance of
contacting alumni. PJA to meet with Susie Hills to further discuss this on 15.6.09.
Sponsorship: NA underlined the importance of centralising approaches to companies,
individuals and alumni re requesting sponsorship so that parties are not approached
repeatedly.
Rifle Range: PJA reported that the current rifle range on campus would be in use
until October 2010 but that replacing this was not a priority and that he was in
discussion with Wyvern Barracks to discuss possibility of student usage of shooting
range there. NA suggested contacting Heidi Hallam, who is the university link with
the military.
UECC: PJA reported that he had sent a draft sports strategy to Paul Robinson in
Cornwall but that the Cornwall campuses had not put forward a sports strategy yet.
NA pointed out the importance of students at the Cornwall campus having a
comparable experience. NA to raise issue with Mark Overton and Lucy Black.
Health and Safety: PJA reported that a representative from Oxford University had
examined Health and Safety policies and a specialist Health and Safety Consultant
was having meetings about the sports health and safety framework; Neil Sheppard
would be delivering this for the Sports Park and Charlotte Edwards, AU Manager, for
the AU.
NA reported that Gwyneth Leonard (RELAY) was doing some exciting work with
studentships as a sports science consultant and that Tim Coles (ESRC) was in charge
of developing Tourism and Sports Science studentships.
Report from the Director of Sport (Appendix 4)
Facilities: PJA reported that the official opening of the new cricket centre would be
on 6.7.09. Mike Gatting and Giles Clarke would be attending as this centre was seen
as a “grass roots” project, encouraging and widening participation in cricket. PJA
reported a £100,000 cost over-run on the project which still needed to be negotiated.
PJA reported that there were many projects under way within the sports park and
surrounding grounds including moving offices, improving changing rooms, boat
house improvements, running trails etc and that the extra funding was helping with
long-term maintenance improvements.
Staffing: PJA reported that that the number of applications for the Director of Cricket
post were encouraging. There would be more support for the AU office specifically to
help with the Student Volunteering Scheme which had been highly successful. A
Student Wellness Officer would be employed to encourage off peak and off site
activities such as moor walking and surfing.
Business Development: PJA pointed out that the pressure for space for students to sit
exams caused by the Forum project meant that he was under increased pressure to use
the Sports Hall for exams. Both RS and NA agreed that the Sports Hall being used for
6 weeks out of a potential 30 weeks was detrimental to Sport at the University. NA
offered to help work on this difficult issue and requested that PJA send him figures
and data on usage.
AU Governance: PJA reported that Jeremy Lindley has agreed in principle to sports
clubs being able to administer the money they have raised and operational regulations
may be different eg petrol rates different for University/AU.
Internationalisation: PJA reports that the visit from Shanghai University of Sport
on 1 June was very successful and that 2 Msc students would be arriving in
September 2009. NA reported that 5,000 PhD students from China are being funded
to study abroad. It is possible that the University will be running at least 10 PhD
scholarships at £5,000 per student. He suggested that there will need to be deciding
criteria re award of scholarships which could include sports/music etc.
Report on Progress Against the Sports Strategy (appendix 5).
PJA explained that a recruitment drive was aimed at getting an increased level of
quality sports coaches to enhance the student sports experience. PJA reported that
loans had been paid off and even in the present economic climate and with financial
cuts his budget has received its biggest ever lump sum to invest in sport. Bath
University is laying off sports staff but Exeter is recruiting new staff.
Athletic Union 08/09 Review against the 3 year AU Strategy and Sports Strategy
( appendix 6)
ST reported that the AU questionnaire is now asking the question “Are you an
international student?” so that AU can start to monitor and encourage International
students to join sports clubs etc. A second Freshers Squash was held in January this
year and this encouraged more International students to participate and to go on to
represent the University eg at Table tennis where Exeter had some success in this
year.
ST reported that Timepiece is vital to AU funding particularly at a time when
sponsorship is under threat due to economic crisis. AU are setting up a database of
sporting Alumni and hope that, together with the scheme “Exeter Sporting
Graduates”, this could be a major help in funding sports clubs.
The Student Volunteering Scheme which sent students into state schools to help with
sport has grown enormously this year. On 24th July the scheme is hosting a sports day
for approx 400 local school children with activities and workshops. ST hopes that
Connaught sponsorship will continue.
Tom Murray was welcomed as incoming AU Sports President and Simon Tyson was
thanked for his very successful year in the role. NA wanted particular thanks to be
expressed to Simon for his hard work in helping with BUCS success and the SVS.
Operating Statement for Sports 2008/9 (appendix 7 & 8)
PJA reported that despite an increase in staff costs and having to implement 5% cuts
Sport at the University was moving forward and being invested in; for example the
sand-based pitch was being replaced for summer 2010 at a cost of over £100,000.
Sports Scholarships (appendix 9)
NA requested a governance role in the deciding of sports scholarships for 2009-10;
Nick Beasant will attend the Management Dual assurance meeting on June 11th 2209
at 11.30 am where he will present this year’s shortlists.
NA requested a breakdown of degree results of sports scholars which HT will email.
Many sports scholars stay on to study for postgraduate degrees and therefore continue
to represent the University at a high level in sport.
NA thanked RS for his contribution and attendance and thanked PJA for his reports.
PJA thanked NA and RS for their on-going support
Date of next Full Sport and Wellness Dual Assurance meeting : Friday 9th
October 2009 from 2pm-5 pm in the Ted Wragg room, Northcote House.