NU Sport - Newcastle University

The Athletic Union
The
Year
Ahead
with
Naomi Allum
The year ahead promises to be an exciting time
for the Athletic Union, with the opening of the
new Sports Centre combined with the
introduction of Performance Sport, the AU is
fast approaching a new era in Newcastle
University’s sporting history.
Outstanding team performances from last year
came from the Ski and Snowboard, Surf and
Canoe Polo Club who all finished in the top
three of their respective BUSA Championships.
The Tennis Club also brought home the
silverware winning the Women’s Tennis Shield
and Fencing, Badminton, Rugby and Golf
maintained their Premier League Status,
ensuring that Newcastle teams compete at the
very highest level of competition on
Wednesday afternoons. Outside BUSA the
Boat club celebrated their first victory in the
prestigious men’s senior Boat race against
Durham in May to become the reigning
Champions of the Tyne.
Newcastle University continues to boast one of
the largest AU’s in the country, with 55
different sports clubs on offer to our students
our strength lies not only in our level of
competition, but also in our depth. Many of
the clubs grew from strength to strength last
year, highlighted by Ultimate Frisbee’s increase
in participation from 20 members in 2003/4 to
over 100 members in 2004/5. Not only has the
sport grown in popularity but the club has also
achieved representative honours, with 6 players
representing Great Britain at Ultimate Frisbee
last season. With the brand new facilities on
offer at Claremont Road and the new drive
from Performance Sport we can only hope to
build upon last years successes and climb up
the BUSA rankings this coming season.
Off the field the AU continues to develop with
the resigning of the Attic sponsorship deal for
the year ahead. The extra funding the Attic
provide will ensure that every AU Club
continues to develop and progress during the
coming season. As the ‘Official Sponsors of
the AU’ the Attic host Newcastle University’s
Official Sports Night on a Wednesday which
promises to be a success again this year.
The Athletic Union is essentially student led
and every year hundreds of student volunteers
spend hours of their time coordinating the
behind the scenes running of their clubs, as
presidents, secretaries, treasurers and
captains. For the first time this year this hard
work will be officially recognised by the
University in the form of the ‘Union Society
Volunteering module’. Student Club Officers
may chose to take up to 20 credits of their
degree through the Union Society Volunteering
module, meaning that the hours they dedicate
to furthering their club and their sport can also
simultaneously further their degree.
Hopefully even more success stories will
emerge during the coming season and
Newcastle University can maintain its position
as one of the top Universities for sport in the
country.
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The New
University
Sports Centre
Newcastle University Sports Centre is situated
to the North West of the city campus. Access
to the facility is via Richardson Road,
Claremont Road or the pedestrian route past
the Ridley Building and Medical/Dental
Schools.
The brand new purpose built facility comprises
of a modern double court sports hall, a state of
the art fitness suite, a dance studio and two
large multipurpose gym areas.
The Centre is also the administrative base of
the Centre for Physical Recreation & Sport.
Enquiries regarding outdoor facilities and
special events should be directed to the
Facilities Service Manager (Nick Beall ext.
5159). With regard to general enquiries contact
Reception (ext.7225) or a member of the
General Office (ext. 7164/5244).
Fitness Suite
The purpose built fitness suite ensures a
quality health and fitness experience by
combining some of the latest cardiovascular
and weight training equipment. This bright,
pleasant, fully air conditioned facility is ideal for
all user groups; ranging from the complete
novice wishing to lead a healthier lifestyle to
the elite athlete with specific training
objectives. The facility consists of treadmills,
upright and recumbent exercise bikes, rowing
ergometers, step machines and various aerobic
cross-trainers. The suite also comprises of a
vast range of modular and free weights
equipment, a smith machine and cable
machines. Fully qualified staff are available to
assist and provide the latest exercise
programmes, lifestyle management and
training advice on how best to achieve
individual health and fitness objectives. In
order to ensure the safe and effective use of
the equipment all users must complete an
induction or accreditation course before using
the Fitness Suite.
Squash Courts
Four standard courts with viewing gallery and
separate changing facilities are situated
opposite the University Sports Centre. Please
note that entry to the squash courts requires a
key, available at reception on production of two
current University Smart Cards.
Main Sports Hall
The double court sports hall utilises a modern
sprung floor, and is the principal location for;
university badminton (6 courts), basketball (2
courts), indoor football (2 courts), netball (2
courts), trampoline, volleyball (2 courts),
cricket (4 nets) and table tennis.
The Studio
The dance studio has a top quality sprung
wooden floor, mirrored walls and is fully air
conditioned to provide an ideal setting for
recreation classes such as yoga, pilates, spin
cycling, salsa and merenge, street dance, jazz
and hip hop and rhythm and fuse.
Multipurpose A & B
These large multi purpose areas are ideal for a
range of timetabled recreation classes such as
aerobics, boxercize, body conditioning, and
circuit training as well as martial art and
Athletic Union club training sessions. A
recreation class programme runs on a daily
basis incorporating both relaxation and high
energy workouts.
Visit our web site at: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/cprs