SU Sport Officer Update

I realise I haven't done a blog in a while. And what better time than elections.

I am now looking for the next leaders of SU Sport. The Sports Exec are the right arm to the Sports Officer, and are first port of call for any student feedback. You have the opportunity to lead on projects, contact clubs and societies and arrange events if you wish. Over the last few years the Sports Exec haven't been called upon and given as much responsibility as I would like and the fantastic group which I have currently have started reviving this, but most will be moving on at the end of the year. 

If you would like to improve Sport for your fellow students and have a say on all things SU Sport, you can be involved right at the operational level. From planning and running events to having a say in BUCS entries, the Sports Exec get to be involved in it all. 

Nominate yourself today! Nominations are open now and close on Sunday 20th at 23:59.

Important things to note:

• You can be in any year to be on sports exec!
• You can be part (or not part) of any club!
• You don't need to have had any prior engagement with the SU or have been on any committees - just a drive to make changes.
• You work very closely with me, the Sports Officer.

There are some general responsibilities:

• Bi-weekly meetings
• Helping at Events such as Snowball and Varsity
• Hosting, alongside the Sports Officer, of Committee Evenings

But also some perks (providing you fill your responsibilities):

• Free Score tickets every week
• Free Snowball ticket
• Free Varsity ticket
• Exec jumper
• Fantastic CV building experiences!

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, then please take a look at the roles below:

Chair:

• Chairs all meetings of the SU Sport Executive Committee
• Works with Sport Officer and SU Sport staff to ensure full and efficient functioning of the Executive Committee.
• Works with the Sport Officer, SU Sport Executive Committee and SU Sport staff to deliver on the Sport’s Officer’s top 10/manifesto goals
• Works with the SU Sport Executive Committee members to ensure the smooth running of all areas within SU Sport.
• Ensures a high standard of communication is held within the executive group
• Delivers committee nights in absence of the Sports Officer
• Assists the Sport Officer with tasks related to functioning of SU Sport, including general/Executive Committee meeting administration
• Can pick up areas of interest alongside other members of committee.

Treasurer x2:

• The primary role of the Exec Treasurer is to manage and ensure the correct payments are made in a timely manner. This is done from the SU Finance office where each treasurer will go in once per week (ideally 1 early in the week and 1 late), here you have 2 main tasks:
  • Go through the Exec inbox, print off payment requests and invoices from clubs, check it has been authorised and that the club have money, then finally sign it off and hand over to the SU Finance team.
  • Approve claims from the expense 365 app. Once Chair’s or Treasurer’s have approved it from their end, it then comes to you for final approve. This is a completely paperless system and gets digitally sent to SU Finance.
• Record of any transactions and payments made.
• At committee meetings, in the event of the Chair being absent, you will assume the role of Chair and minute and guide the meeting.
• There is scope to get involved in other sport related events through the committee. This semester I am helping organise Varsity and earlier on helped with Speed Dating for Sport. In this aspect it’s up to you to choose what you’re passionate about and to get involved as much as you like!

Volunteer Recognition Coordinator:

• Works with the University Sports Department and SU Club Development Officer to develop the Sports Volunteer Recognition Scheme (VRS)
• Liaises with SU Sport club committees to ensure their volunteers apply for the Sports VRS
• Publicise and process applications to the Sports VRS alongside SU staff.
• Collect applications for Volunteer of the Week, allow Sports Exec to vote and work with Media, Marketing and Sports Officer for Instagram post and rewards.
• Produces an annual report on the Sports VRS.
• Supports clubs in their development of volunteers, promoting development workshops organised by the SU staff.

Marketing Officer:

As Marketing Officer, there are a number of things that happen on a weekly basis and others that happen as they come along.

• Weekly:
  • Update sports fixtures on SU website
  • Coordinate Social Media Takeovers
  • Organise and advertise Team of the Week and Volunteer of the Week.
  • Create and post to Instagram Stories
• Advertise one off events on Social Media and via emails.
• Communicate about current events
• Contact and meet with members of societies to coordinate activities/events
• Collaborate with SU Marketing.

Media Officer:

• Gathers photos and videos from all sports clubs at all levels of participation - requires creating content from Wednesday fixtures and other sport activities.
• Produces photo and video promotional material for SU sport events including Varsity, Rugby at the Rec, etc. (will be given basic video editing training if required).
• Works with marketing officer to design and produce graphics.
• Liaises with student media, Exec Marketing officer and SU Marketing to ensure the publication of sporting achievements and events.
• May attend BUCS Nationals in Sports Executive capacity.
• Attends Student Media exec once per semester, remains in constant communication with the media exec throughout the year to improve sports media production in the future.
• Provides link between sport and Student Media exec.

Recreational Coordinator:

• Monitoring engagement and developing Bath Active sessions
• Assisting in the recruitment of Bath Activators and liaising with Club Development and Social Sport Manager, Matt Price. 
• Planning more inclusive recreational events such as a range of tournaments, inter-halls and fun runs (colour run) etc.
• Encouraging rec engagement with sport through pop-up sport events across the year
• Working with clubs to create space for non-experienced and beginner athletes in all sports.

Performance Officer:

Unfortunately we have not had a Performance Officer this year, so this role is up for shaping and changing to suit the current student body. I (Elizabeth) have previously held this role and really enjoyed it, and will happily work with whoever gets this role to make it more suitable.

• Sits on the Elite Athlete Forum with SU Sport Officer
• Sits on Blues Committee
• Helps organise any Talent ID events with the Sports Department and National Governing Bodies
• Promotes performance athletes on social media, working with Marketing Officer
• Encourages engagement from students at home games
• Represents performance athletes to the Exec

Inclusivity Officer:

This role was unfortunately unfilled this year and is a role I am keen to be filled and utilised a lot more over the next year. There are lots of fantastic ideas clubs are having towards inclusivity and individuals could be implementing good practice to the whole of SU Sport.

• Develops an understanding of the disability sport landscape through liaising with external providers and University/SU-based groups such as Diversity and Support (D&S) groups.
• Works with the Community Officer, Sport Officer, D&S groups and Exec Welfare Officer to develop and deliver training on Inclusivity for sports members.
• Works with club committees and the University Sports Department to implement inclusive sport within their regular activity.
• Organises an inclusive and/or disability sport event and one inclusion in sport campaign at least once per year.
• Works with club committees to enter disabled and other under-represented athletes in sports competitions.
• Attends SU Liberation Network regularly to liaise on emerging issues.
• Develops awareness of the underrepresented groups in sport and work with relevant stakeholders to improve representation. 

Welfare Officer:

• Leads on campaigns related to mental health and welfare in sport and contacts other university departments who are running campaigns in order to publicise them within SU Sport
• Supports club Welfare and Inclusivity officers with initiatives regarding mental health and welfare.
• Promotes mental health peer support training to club members.
• Attends SU Diversity and Support (D&S) Exec at least once per semester to liaise on emerging issues in mental health and welfare.
• Provides a sport link to welfare related societies (Nightline and Student minds)
• Provides a place in which W&I officers can interact with each other in order to improve their offering with their clubs by learning from others.

Events Coordinator:

• Works with relevant stakeholders to assist with major events run by SU Sport.
• Plans event dates to suit the academic year and other events.
• Coordinates volunteers and ensures events run smoothly.
• Publicises events alongside SU Marketing.
• Publicises opportunities for clubs to get involved with ‘Sporting showcase’ and is sport lead.
• Reviews all events to improve processes and execution the following year.

If you would like to contact any of the committee for more details, then you can find their details here.

Finally, if you want to be part of the best committee at the University (not bias at all), then please feel free to contact me with any questions or go ahead and nominate yourself here!

Elizabeth x

susport@bath.ac.uk