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32 SPORT
The Stag | 22nd May 2012 sport@thestagsurrey.co.uk
Sport
2012: THE END OF THE WORLD?
...or the start of something new?
By Douglas Elder, Sports Team
Well, I’ve had a good run. It’s been a
pleasure writing about various sports
this year and all for your entertainment. It’s
been fun writing for The Stag and covering
pretty much everything from women’s
fencing to Rafael Nadal’s headband. I have
suffered a fair bit this year, whether it be
from the perils of black jeans on a hot day
at Varsity, or the error of hair wax on a
soaking wet day in November. But it has all
been worth it!
So, this being the last issue, I bet you’re
expecting some cheesy, motivational
article about how you can be whatever you
want to be or how sport can – and will –
change the world. If nothing else, I am very
predictable, so I will try and do just that.
This year I have seen a number of
people playing a multitude of sports for
a plethora of reasons (thanks thesaurus).
Whether it be the 1st XI playing in a cup
final or the badminton club players just
trying to hit the damn shuttlecock, we all
have motivations. Take yours truly as an
example. An utterly woeful sportsman with
zero physical prowess, next to no mental
strength and a total lack of cunning. And
yet I love sport. I love writing about it,
reading about it, playing it, watching it,
avoiding it through over-anxiety. No-one
is more of a testament to the mantra “It’s
the taking part that counts” than me. Of
Last week was the beginning of the
London Prepares series, which was set
out to test all the Olympic facilities before
the Games to ensure they all functioned
correctly. The series started in the evening
of Friday 4th By Dave Holcombe, Sports Team
May, coincidently when there
were 2012 hours remaining until the start
of London 2012. The annual BUCS Outdoor
Championships was the main competition
being held over this first weekend so
athletes from Universities and Colleges
across the nation could compete in track
and field events at the Olympic Stadium.
Four of the Surrey elite took part in the
competition, all members of the University
course, I try to win, I am manipulative
and get upset when it goes wrong (I want
to be a sports journalist you see), but there
is something bigger at work. Sport is not
just the chance to beat someone weaker
than you, but the chance to co-operate
with people you would never have met
otherwise.
If you’re a first or second year, read this:
First of all, hello, I hope you like my stuff,
nice shoes!
Secondly, take up a sport (or anything
sport-related) next year. Seriously,
it’s a good idea. There are plenty of
opportunities out there; you just need to
know where to look. I came into this year as
a sports geek with bad hair and no societal
experience. As I approach graduation, I am
now only two of those things. Joining The
Stag has given me the opportunity to work
on so many skills: writing, interviewing,
patience, knowing what to wear if it’s going
to be 30 degrees etc. I recommend you take
the opportunities which will be available
next year.
You are the master of your own destiny.
Sure, if you’re only learning to pick up a
squash racquet now or have only just heard
of canoe polo, you are unlikely to become a
world-beater, but you’ll have a good time.
Particularly if you try canoe polo, yes, it
looks as fun as it sounds. Besides, it gives
you more chance to avoid that assignment,
to not do the washing up or at least sound
of Surrey Running and Athletics club,
with Vice President Dan Flello checking
out the facilities. Hayley Crosswell and
Nathan Steele were both competing on
the Friday evening in the Javelin and 100m
respectively. Hayley then competed on
the Saturday but this time taking part
in the Pole Vault. Also competing on the
Saturday were Sports Exec Chair Charlie
Eastaugh and Dave Holcombe in the 800m
and 1,500m respectively.
The ever competitive Hayley just
missed out on the finals in both of her
events but has vowed to reach them next
year. Charlie just missed out on qualifying
for the semis in the 800m by coming 5th in
his heat (where the top four get automatic
smug when your proud grandparents come
round: “So that essay didn’t go as planned,
but I am the volleyball 4th Team captain
now”.
And the opportunities are not just
limited to University sport. This summer
sees two massive sports tournaments
where will be chances not just to watch,
but to participate*. Euro 2012 kicks off
in just two weeks; where we, as a nation,
can indulge in that favourite past-time
of letting England get our hopes up, until
they fall flat on their faces. Nevertheless,
we will cheer them on anyway.
* Not participate in a literal sense,
unless you are an aspiring English
footballer who happens to play as a striker.
After that comes the Olympics. Yes, the
Olympics are coming to Britain; you may
have read about it. Athletes from all over
the world at the height of their professions
will be descending upon our capital city
for both our entertainment and for their
nations. And we can watch them every step
of the way (not really, the ticketing has
been rubbish). For most of the competitors,
the chances of victory are minute, but the
opportunity to represent something bigger
than themselves fills both them and their
peers with immense pride.
Next year, let’s see if we can try
something similar.
Surrey’s Olympic hopefuls
qualification and the fastest four times
from the 5 th and 6 th finishers also qualify).
Nathan also performed well, taking 7 th
place in his heat for the 100m and coming
close to beating his PB for the year. Dave
did beat his PB for the 1,500m and is
hopeful for the next year.
All in all, it was a very good show
by the four Surrey athletes and a great
experience for them to compete at the
Olympic Stadium. The Running Club and
the University are proud of all four of
these athletes.
For full standings visit the BUCS
website.
2011 2012
Thanks for reading and the best of luck to you all!
~Fin~
Jordan Vine
Sport Editor
This year has been such
a great year working for
The Stag. it has opened
up lots of opportunities,
giving me experience as
an editor andmost of all
it has been great fun. i
would like this time to
say thank you toall of my
writers and well done to
the new committee. Good
luck to all thesports teams
for next year, hopefully
we can continue to go
onwards and upwards!