Aimee Howarth looks back at the first White Rose Varsity weekend between York and Hull
Matt Cooke previews this weekend's white rose varsity tournament against Hull
James Tompkinson talks to YUSU Sports Presidential Candidate Ben McGladdery
James Tompkinson tells of England failings in Perth
- Why are you running for the position of YUSU Sports President?
I feel I've achieved a lot this year, and made huge dents into the major problems plaguing sport at York. However I am not comfortable leaving knowing that I can still do so much more.
- What important personal qualities would you bring to the role of York Sports President?
I am an approachable guy who comes from having played every level of sport; college, university, senior and international. It means I can truly understand different people from different groups and juggle their often conflicting interests.
- What makes you better suited to the job than your opponent?
I have valuable experience not only as the incumbent but also in the collegiate system and not only as ex-American Football President, but also as one of the founding members. This means I've seen a club right through from forming to being full members of their national league.
- How do you propose to improve sport at York?
Three problems plague York Sport: Membership, Storage & Space and Funding. A lot of plans are already in place to combat these, and with my experience I can steer them in the right direction; plans such as free York Sport Membership, new storage space and increased funding. Other plans I am proposing is to improve the Minibus Fleet, in order to reduce club's transport costs, improve the website to widen our reach and increase our sponsorship levels on our already high amounts this year.
- How do you think the new sports centre will benefit sport at York, and what would you do to try and ensure that students at York get the most out of the facility?
The Sports Village will revolutionise sport at York. The key part of it is the swimming pool which will allow so many of clubs to return to campus and reduce their running costs. The Dance Studios will give us some more multi use space and the four 3G pitches will alleviate the pressure on 22 acres.
- How do you propose to implement the plan to either reduce or scrap the York Sport £40 membership fee?
This plan will probably go ahead no matter who is elected as I have done the groundwork this year. But it will require the correct candidate to ensure it is done in the most effective way for students. The plan is that come October 2012 when tuition fees rise, students cannot be expected to pay such high hidden costs. We, alongside the University, have highlighted sport as a large hidden cost, and it is our intention to aim to have York Sport Membership free by the time that fees rise.
- What values do you place on college sport, and how would you seek to improve it?
College sport is vital as a pathway into sport. Myself and the current College Sport Officer Mark Lund have taken huge steps to improve college sport. With both of us having huge experience at that level, we know the problems from the ground up. We have already made College Sport Officer a two person job to alleviate the work load, furthermore we are developing an online system to make entering results easier, and we have put on free training sessions and bought new equipment for colleges. In the future we will look to hold more coaching and refereeing clinics aimed at college Sport, continue our free sessions, continue the equipment improvement and work on publicity and image of college sport.
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