Top left: Katy Dalglish, Top Right: EUVC (Bayley Smeath), Middle: EUAFC (Mike Powel), Bottom: EUAC

Student Sport Spotlight - Term 1 Round Up

University of Exeter's Athletic Union (AU) President, Katy Dalglish, takes you through the highs of term 1, from charity fundraising to BUCS success. Here at Exeter, excellence in sport has most certainly been demonstrated once again. 

With just under 10 000 AU members, sport has been a huge part of what has been a highly successful first term for many of our students. After welcoming Dodgeball to become an official AU club back in October, our 51 clubs have since competed in 539 competitive fixtures, securing wins or draws in 71% of these. Some personal highlights of mine have included watching our 1st XV Rugby team’s winning performance at Sandy Park, see our netballers beating Bath in a very competitive fixture, and having the privilege to play alongside the 4s lacrosse team against UCL 1s, in what was a very close game! Other notable achievements include our Karate club securing the trophy at the KUGB southwest competition, our Trampoline club’s exceptional performance in the SUTL (Southern Universities Trampoline League) and lots, lots more.

On top of this, the demand for recreational sport has gone through the roof, which is fantastic to see after a very quiet year previously. We’ve had 1738 members playing weekly netball, football, badminton, basketball and hockey fixtures in teams that have consisted of friends, course mates and accommodation groups. It’s been a fantastic way for first years in particular to meet others and get involved in something new. Our newly launched ‘Pitch Up And Play’ sessions have provided a similar opportunity, and we have seen an additional 548 individual students participating in some of these free sessions.

Alongside participating in sport, and of course, completing their degrees, our AU members have done a huge amount for charity this year. Notably, Movember has been a highlight this term after we collectively raised an unprecedented £138,076.38 to support men’s mental and physical health. I cannot thank student fundraisers and those that donated enough. The effort put in by individuals and teams was tremendous, highlighted by the creativity and challenge of some of their events. To name a few, these included open mic nights, marathons, charity tournaments, sea swimming and more.  

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our AU members and club committees, captains in particular, for their hard work on and off of the sports pitches so far this year. I am excited to continue working with you next year, and in the meantime, make sure that you sign up to our Strava page, and join our community of 1008 members keeping active amidst the festive celebrations. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and very happy New Year!

Katy Dalglish (2021/22 AU President)

Date: 10 December 2021