Over in the sports department, everyone has been really busy and working hard indeed.  We have been doing very well in our recent fixtures, including Men’s Rugby and Hockey who have not yet lost a game!  This week was the knock out rounds for many teams, so to those of you who won – congratulations and good luck in the next round.  To those of you who lost – commiserations, but there is still the league to be taken!!!

This years Reunion was very successful indeed, with 10 teams holding Reunion matches (I think the Reunion teams won the majority of matches over current student teams).  After the matches everyone headed to Park for what was an amazing night of dancing, laughing and catching up with old friends!  Over 700 tickets were sold for this, which just shows how important sports is at our Uni and how much it means to the people that play it, even after they have left!  I’m glad the majority of you seemed to enjoy it, so I shall look forward to next years Reunion!

I would briefly like to mention the lovely memorial game and service for Chris Ball, a former rugby member and current PGCE student.  On the Saturday of Reunion, the current rugby boys played against a squad of old boys, where a friendly but competitive game took place, which resulted in a victory for the old boys!!!  Then Sunday 16th, a memorial service was held in FCH chapel where some lovely speeches were said about Chris from friends and lecturers.  Over 100 people showed up and I’m sure Chris would have appreciated everyone trying to sing Smokey Robinson, Tracks of My Tears and Wild Rover!  Not to mention Poor Boy!

We still have lots to do before Christmas and many more matches to play, so let’s not take our foot off the gas until then and work hard, but don’t forget to play hard and especially win those matches!!!

Blue and Blue.

Charley

However I take great pride, and I mean GREAT pride, in informing you all that it was shot to oblivion by a great love of mine, High School Musical 3. Yes the third instalment but first to the big screen took a whopping $42million over its first weekend. This has made it the #1 film, in the WORLD. The last film to achieve global domination was The Dark Knight (which is on DVD in time for Christmas everyone).

Not only is High School Musical 3 the #1 film in the world, it has also broken, for the third time, the highest grossing musical opening; completely thrashing Hairspray and Mamma Mia.

Now in case you hadn’t guessed yet, I am a humongous High School Musical fan and I but up with a lot of grief for it. So it is comforting to learn it is #1 in the world as I am not alone in my love for East High, the Wildcats and Troy Bolton.

The only concern now is how long Disney is going to milk this cash cow. It might not shock you to know that talks are already underway for a 4th & 5th film and those of you who have seen 3 will have spotted the new characters which are going to be taking over.

Bad Times ahead. However I shall be basking in the glory of HSM3 being the #1 film in the world for a long time yet. What team?

Written By Iszy Hooley

Hey,

I hope you all enjoyed the fun of Fresher’s fortnight.  We all had a great time meeting you all and catching up with all old faces too.

The Fresher’s Fayre this year was very successful from the Sports point of view.  Many students showed interest in all of our sports teams by signing up at the sports teams’ stands and the teams that have had training or trails already, proved successful with outstanding numbers.

Playing sport at University is a massive part of many peoples life.  It is a great way to make new friends, especially your best mates and people you will be friends with for the rest of your days.  To put on your playing shirt/vest/kit and go out to compete for your University is a massive honour and the people who do it, I know, feel immensely proud!  Not only do you get to play sport each week, you also get to join in all the fun, sociable events sporties put on and in general have a fantastic time.

If you have not yet signed up to a club, I really recommend you go along to any training session.  Whether you’ve played the sport before or you just fancy giving something a try, you won’t regret it, it’s all so much fun!

If you have already found the sport for you and you are interested in signing up to that club (remember, you cannot play for University if you have not signed on as a member) you need to get online at www.yourstudentsunion.com and join your sport.  Once you have signed up you will receive a 5 digit transaction number via e-mail.  This needs to be brought to Oxstalls bar on Monday 13^th October with a passport photo in order to pick up your Sports and Societies membership card.  If you chose not to pay online when you sign up, you can bring cash along on the Monday when you come to pick up your card.

So all that is left to say is I hope this year will turn out even better than you expect and a massive GOOD LUCK to those of you who do decide to compete for the honour of our University.

Blue and Blue (a common phrase I will use a lot due to our Uni colours!!!) xx

Currently, our elite athletes here at the university do not receive much support so I would like to help support them, and I have put aside a small pot of money from the budget in order to do so.  This will help go towards the expensive costs of playing at such high levels and therefore support and encourage our elite athletes to continue their participation in their sport, representing our university. 

The Folley is our home pitch for football, rugby and occasionally cricket but the state of the changing facilities there are poor, especially compared to the excellent pitches.  Therefore, with help, I am hoping to get the Folley renovated and make the place a much better sporting facility, which visitors will hopefully be jealous of! 

Overall, there is a lot of work to be done but I am looking forward to it!  If anyone would like to be involved in any of our projects or just simply get involved, I’d be delighted to have a chat with anyone.