Sport and Wellness Dual Engagement Meeting
Thursday 14th October 2010 – Vice Chancellor’s Office, Executive Suite, Northcote House,
University of Exeter
Present:
Russell Seal, Chairman of University Council (RS)
Neil Armstrong, Deputy Vice Chancellor (NA)
Phil Attwell, Director of Sport (PJA)
Josh Belsher, President of the Athletic Union (JB)
Katherine Salvetti (notes)
RS thanked PA and JB for the papers they had circulated
1. Notes of Dual Engagement Management meeting, 16 September 2010 and Minutes of
Dual Assurance Meeting, 14 May 2010
Matters arising from previous Minutes:
AU Governance arrangements:
PJA reported that they had had some very useful comments back on this, including the need
to amend the phrase “constitution”. The draft has been agreed and is currently with the
solicitors and will be presented to Council in December.
PJA requested RS’s presence at the internal launch of the new running trail. RS confirmed
that he would be delighted to attend as long as the event could be tied in with his other
meetings at the university.
NA confirmed that while the term ‘Dual Assurance’ has been exchanged for ‘Dual
Engagement’, the process will operate the same as before
The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
2. Report of the Director of Sport & Student Activity
PJA had circulated this report already and the following points were raised in discussion:
- There had been huge numbers of students attending pre-season training this year including
a vast number of talented 1st years who had enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the
various clubs prior to term.
- Duckes Meadow is on target to be completed by 4th November 2010
- Discussion ensued surrounding the new boathouse project and PJA reported that there is
now a verbal agreement with South West Water as to how the project will go forward hereon.
PJA enlightened RS with the historical context to the problems concerning ownership of the
land.
- PJA reported that use of the Clifton Rifle range is working well and responded to concerns
raised by RS that the students are now able to use the right equipment within the right
environment and in line with new AU precedence, will fully risk assess each event. PJA
confirmed that in the long term, a full survey of the facilities and service will be undertaken.
- NA/RS confirmed that while Sport has been recorded on the list for the Tranche 2 capital
building programme, a significant amount of funding will be needed to be raised externally to
make sure this does happen. RS stated that the improvement to Sport’s facilities was high on
his priority list and that he is keen to see a tailored business case put forward in the near
future. This must include such details as how much might be raised; possibilities of the
generation of third party income; the effect on the holistic sport ethos. RS reinforced that
Sport is crucial to the student experience and this is a golden opportunity given the current
changing climate following the Browne Report.
NA reiterated that never again would there be an opportunity like this for Sport with such
prominent support from senior management and with the Student Experience about to
become so much more high profile.
RS stressed that we should be ready to go forward by March 2011.
NA queried if we had any further information yet on how many students are likely to be
affected should lectures be placed on Wednesday afternoons.
PJA responded that as well as having been made aware from the Guild as to how many
students are already having to attend lectures on a Wednesday afternoon, we have
conducted research into how many students are involved in music and sporting activity on a
Wednesday afternoon and at this early stage of investiations, looks to be between 2 – 3000
students.
- NA requested that for the time being JB should not encourage a campaign from the students
and let him and RS test the waters with senior management.
There was brief discussion as to how a number of alumni were currently competing in the
Commonwealth Games.
With regard to the unsuccessful bid for funds from Sport England Active Universities, PJA
reported that, effectively, we had been unsuccessful as we were already being too pro-active.
PJA reported that the wellness–related bid from Tremough had been successful.
Action point: RS requested that PJA contact Lucy Studholme and follow up the
police/wellness agenda.
3. Targets for the Athletic Union 2010/11
JB had circulated a paper via email and in the meeting highlighted a number of points:
- With Nick Beasant leading on High Performance, JB is able to concentrate in participation
and volunteering.
- JB reported that while the SVS scheme had a target of a 20% increase this year, numbers
are already up by 30%. Simon Tyson is in post to ensure the scheme works.
PJA reported that with the loss of sponsorship from Connaught (£9k), the AU are currently
looking to approach a new sponsor for next year having secured funding for this year from the
Annual Fund and AU reserves. A potential sponsor might be TCL who already sponsor a
Scholar.
NA extended his congratulations to JB for the content of his report and the results already
visible.
JB reported that while the AU is currently engaged in a £60k, (£20k a year for 3 years)
sponsorship deal with KPMG, they are continuing to look for a second-title sponsor and have
shortlisted ten companies to approach. JB reassured the group that KPMG are in agreement
with this, having outlined the six or seven competitors that the AU are not allowed to
approach.
It was observed that the AU had planned to push the Exeter Graduate Scheme this year and
have exceeded their target number of sign-ups in the first two weeks alone.
RS suggested that Sport work more closely with DARO to source any alumni with expertise in
sport. NA noted that this could be linked with the proposal for a fundraiser for Sport and
agreed that communications should be opened with DARO as to finding out whether there
might be an Alumnus with expertise in sports sponsorship. RS reinforced that Sport needs to
be being seen to be doing all it can to mitigate against future changes.
PJA advised the group that in terms of Sport Development, the team are getting better and
with regard to sponsorship, the office is getting there, lining more possibilities up.
PJA highlighted that with Chris McInroy on the Senior Management Team, the office are well
equipped to go forward using his expertise and guidance.
RS queried how we are placed among our competitors and PJA responded that
comparatively, we are in a good position and can keep building.
RS suggested that following the resolution of the RBS / Forum project difficulty, it might be
prudent to approach RBS about sponsoring SVS. It was suggested that as and when the
current issue is resolved, NA and RS would initiate contact with RBS.
Action Point: PJA to put together a proposal to be put to RBS.
RS reiterated that Sport need to ensure that a proper update be placed in the University’s
Annual Report (issued in March) and suggested that the group be proactive now to ensure
this happens.
Action: PJA to contact Stuart Franklin to initiate profiling Sport within the Annual
Report.
4. Draft of Sports Strategy 5
PJA had circulated this paper by email previously and in discussion the following points were
noted:
- Questions concerning which element to focus on / should costs to use facilities be rolled into
the overall student fee?
- Effects of the Browne Report
- Should we focus what we’re doing – Paul Mouland to be student focussed (leaving staff
wellness to HR)
- INTO students – should they be treated the same as other International students?
- RS queried how capacity would be altered if we did not do any of the above - to be
discussed next time.
- Cornwall…still a mystery
- Investors in people - for discussion at the next meeting.
- Use by third parties…current options open to us
5. Health & Wellness Programme
The diary of planned events for 2010/11 had been circulated previously and the group
commented favourably about the number of, and variety of, events that have been scheduled.
- RS would appreciate an idea of numbers that participate in these events.
Action: PJA to provide numbers of participants at Wellness events at next meeting.
6. Internationalisation and Sport
NA extended his congratulations to PJA on “an excellent paper”.
PJA surmised the following points in discussion of the paper:
- The paper was started in the Spring. Lots of suggestions were made at the last Dual
Engagement meeting enabling this paper to be written. We are still waiting on numbers of
students signed up to AU clubs this year – we should have these figures in early November.
We are anticipating extensive participation in intramural sport and are optimistic that a
number of projects and objectives will come to fruition this academic year.
RS commented that it is a challenge to know what our international students want. NA
concurred that this is a difficulty, particularly given that any non-British student is grouped
together under the heading ‘international’ and obviously there are considerable cultural
differences between groups of different nationalities.
PJA commented that the Sports Office and AU are trying a combination of ideas including
extended opening hours and bespoke events, but while they can and offer a wide range of
opportunities, they can’t cover everything – and is this a University-wide problem that just not
enough is being done?
NA commented in agreement that we need further intelligence on this problem university-wide
and will look at what facilities and opportunities there are abroad as and when he is next in
Shanghai.
RS suggested that we talk to the Business School as it is in their interests that we get this
right.
Action point: NA to initiate discussions with the Business School and Hong Kong
universities.
NA observed that it is vital that we encourage integration and not just hold international
events and will discuss the paper with the International Office.
Discussion ensued around the pros and cons of using the International Student Barometer
and it was generally agreed that it terms of measuring student satisfaction, it is not the best
measure.
7. Safety of Student Activity
PJA observed that the majority of accidents reported can be attributed to legitimate sporting
activities. RS suggested that an audit be carried out in the not-too-distant-future.
8. Sports Scholars 2010/11 and success of graduating scholars
NA extended his congratulations to those Sports Scholars who have graduated and to the
Scholars of 2010/11.
9. Financial Out-turn 2009/10 – Sports Office and AU
PJA summarised the following:
- That at the end of the 2009/10 financial year the Sport Office posted a deficit of £93k. This
was the first deficit the department had posted in eleven years and the deficit was absorbed
into Corporate Services (who posted an overall surplus).
- £63k of the deficit had been accounted for (£49k for a replacement shock pad that had not
been budgeted for and £35k accountancy error from 2 years previously), while a £30k carryforward had not been accounted for.
10. Sport in Tremough
PJA had circulated a paper by email prior to the meeting and during discussion, the following
points were raised:
- The FXU/TCS don’t buy into the fact that the students should be involved with the local
community
- Lucy Black is onside for students to have as broad a student experience as possible
- While PJA continues to encourage them, the comparability between Exeter and Cornwall is
low.
- We are trialling a voucher scheme this year and an update on this will be provided at the
next meeting.
- Unless Falmouth provide additional income, the only alternative is to set up a University of
Exeter Union to run the sports clubs.
- RS: If Falmouth isn’t working, we have to broker our own destiny.
- RS/PJA: We need someone down there and to be accountable.
Action point: NA/JB agreed to organise a meeting with representatives from Cornwall
as soon as possible.
11. Objectives for Sport as presented for SPaRC
NA commented that there were no surprises on this list and these would be checked off at the
next Dual Engagement Management meeting.
12. Any Other Business
NA observed that this had been the most exciting Dual Engagement meeting so far and
extended his thanks and congratulations to both PJA and JB for their hard work and input.
NA informed the group that he was currently engaged in conversations between Manchester
United Sports Academy and Abu Dhabi and would keep the group updated with any progress
made.
Date of Next Meeting:
10am, Thursday 20th January 2011 (Ted Wragg Committee Room, Northcote House)
The meeting closed at 12.00