Sport and Wellness- Dual Assurance Meeting
Tuesday 30th September 2008 – Meeting Room, Sports Park
Present
Russell Seal (Chairman of University Council) RS
Prof. Neil Armstrong (Deputy Vice-Chancellor) NA
Phil Attwell (Director of Sport) PJA
Jeremy Lindley (Director of Corporate Services)
Simon Tyson (President of Athletic Union 2008-9) ST
Dr Harriet Tillson (Sports Performance Administrator)
1
Matters arising from previous minutes
Cricket centre: The budget over-run on the cricket centre expenditure had
risen to £137k but ECB had agreed to fund the short-fall. The extra costs were
due to unforeseen extra drainage and extra stabilisation of the site. The centre
should be completed for March 2009.
Car parking: There had still been no further news on the University estate
master Plan and how it related to car parking at the Sports Park. PJA stressed
how strategically important car parking was for sport. PJA was working on
plans with B&E to connect the Sports Park with the new car park to the rear of
the Innovation Centre.
Outdoor swimming pool: PJA brought members up to date with the latest
position on swimming, including discussions with the city council. Further
work was required on this, and a working group will be established as a high
priority, to ensure that aspirations for the sports estate align with the estate
masterplan. It was agreed that PJA should report back to the next meeting
setting out the strategic priorities for sport so that decisions could be made for
the long-term development of the estate.
Cornwall: NA asked PJA to prepare a report on sport at Tremough. It was
suggested that PJA should work with Matthew Evans, Provost, to ensure that
sport receives the appropriate level of priority.
2
Sports Strategy
NA reported that the Sports Strategy had been very well received by VCEG.
It was acknowledged that sport in the broadest sense was an important selling
point for the University and that to reach the top five would require top 5
investment. This would require additional resources, to take the spend per
student from £31 to £48. The draft strategy would be adjusted to reflect this
position.
JL pointed out that the financial position over the next two years was going to
be difficult, but that VCEG support was critical for any increase in resource.
JL also pointed out that now fundraising for the Forum was well underway,
attention could soon be turned to fundraising for sport. Sport in Cornwall
would however need to receive some priority too.
RS observed that in planning spending of 200k of additional resource, it would
be important to consider the wellness agenda as well as high performance. It
was expected that, as with existing sports, investment in coaching would not
only reach the elite athletes, but would permeate throughout those sports.
NA was very supportive of the internationalisation initiatives, and in future
would be interested in seeing how these might best relate to the overall
international strategy.
It was agreed that the strategic priorities for Dual Assurance this session
would be finalising the Governance of AU, bedding in the new sports strategy,
and resolving sports estate issues.
3
AU Strategic Aims
ST pointed out that Exeter was 11th in BUSA (now BUCS) last year and will
aim to be in top 10 next year. ST was advised to contact Sue Laurie in the
International Office to reach all international students.
Improved income from sponsorship was a target for the year, and this would
be tackled in conjunction with Sports Office initiatives. Efforts would also be
made to improve the AU website to make it more attractive to sponsors.
There would also be renewed efforts during the year to draw a strategic
alliance with DARO to secure greater support for the university and for sport
in particular, from Alumni.
4
Health and Wellness
A report was considered setting out the achievements of the wellness
programme over the 2007/8 year. RS was thanked for his financial support of
the wellness programme.
5
Safety of Student Activities
Members were concerned that the Guild no longer funded a safety officer to
oversee AU club student safety. It was agreed that contact should be made
with Paul Adams, Safety Officer, to discuss risk assessment and other safety
issues, and that an audit should be carried out of current policies and
procedures. All agreed that it was vital that a process and structure should be
put in place. Uncertainty around the location of the rifle club demonstrated
the importance of safety issues.
6
Sports Office Finances 2007-8
PJA reported that the Sports Office had marginally exceeded it budget surplus,
and this was in addition to overpaying on the loan by £30,000, and having to
make exceptional VAT payments of £30,000 during the year. Detailed
discussions were underway concerning the financial model for tennis, but all
other business areas were performing well.
7
AU Finances 2007-8
ST reported that the AU had operated within budget but that this had been
difficult given significant increases in BUCS participation costs and increased
travel costs. More sponsorship and grant funding were vital to the on-going
sustainability of the AU.
8
Sports Scholarships 2008-9, Graduating Scholars and overall
performance
HT reported that numbers of applicants had doubled this year and that there
were 52 sports scholars this year including 25 new ones. Profiles of graduating
and new scholars and the Review of Sporting Performance were well received.
NA suggested sending out a report to VCEG and Council members on
sporting success over the 2007/8 session.
Special thanks were expressed to PJA for his Sports Strategy Report to VCEG and to
Simon Tyson for his excellent first reports.
Next full meeting of Sports Dual Assurance Board: Thursday 29th January 2009, 12
noon – 3pm, Sports Park meeting room.