Sports clubs celebrate their success
Four booming sports clubs at the University of Essex have received funding to help further improve the sporting opportunities available to students and promote excellence.
The clubs receiving a share of the £5,000 available for sports club grants this year are fencing, Ultimate, football and pole dancing.
Dr Dominic Micklewright, Chairman of the Sports Awards group and Curriculum Director of Sport and Exercise Science at Essex, presented the awards and said he hoped the money would help the clubs strive for excellence. He said: “I very much hope this money will help you progress with your individual sports.”
Pole dancing club President Sophie Logan and Vice-President Alex Copley receive their award from Dr Dominic Micklewright, Director of Sport David Williams and Becky Fisher, Vice-President for Student Activities at the Students' Union
The University’s pole dancing club is the biggest in the country and currently the national champions. It is also one of the largest sports clubs at Essex with more than 100 members.
The fencing club is also proving very popular and now has 56 members. Its first team is currently tied for first place in their league and awaiting a crunch showdown in the spring with Queen Mary, University of London.
Mathew Hare, from the fencing club, said: “This is a real boost and the money will help us get more members participating competitively.”
Mathew Hare and Christopher Clarke with the fencing club's cheque and Dr Dominic Micklewright, Director of Sport David Williams and Becky Fisher, Vice-President for Student Activities at the Students' Union
The University’s Ultimate team is putting its grant towards equipment and kit for the dozens of new members it has attracted this year. The club has grown to more than 40 members and has been competing against universities across the south east.
The football club is investing its grant in additional coaching and equipment. Currently the club has 115 members and has five teams competing in university and local football leagues. The first team is currently second in the South Eastern 2B League, where it is unbeaten and has not yet conceded a goal. The team is also in the last eight of the South Eastern Conference Cup and will play for a place in the semi-final against the University of East London on 6 February.
Players from the football club receive their cheque from Dr Dominic Micklewright, Director of Sport David Williams and Becky Fisher, Vice-President for Student Activities at the Students' Union
The funding for the awards comes from the Passport for Sport membership scheme and was introduced to support the aims of the University’s sports strategy.
Clubs can bid for funding of up to £1,000 which can be used to run sporting events, increase participation and membership, improve training and coaching, purchase equipment or invest in sports science support and conditioning.
Further awards will be made later this year and all clubs are still able to apply for funding.
The University's Ultimate club will be buying equipment and kit to deal with an influx of new members. Also pictured are Dr Dominic Micklewright, Director of Sport David Williams and Becky Fisher, Vice-President for Student Activities at the Students' Union