Æß²ÊÖ±²¥sport has worked exceptionally hard this year to keep students and staff active, to support their health and wellbeing through the Covid-19 pandemic.
From a virtual Æß²ÊÖ±²¥active timetable and socially distanced strength and conditioning sessions, to Movember fundraising and a virtual awards ceremony, there’s been a variety of activities for students to get involved in.
Æß²ÊÖ±²¥sport even moved out of its home at The Watershed to make room for Lateral Flow Testing for Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ staff and students.
Æß²ÊÖ±²¥'s Head of Sport, Fiona Dick, said: “Æß²ÊÖ±²¥sport staff, student committees, Activators and coaches have all gone above and beyond this term.
Æß²ÊÖ±²¥active pilates session
“They have all demonstrated huge dedication and commitment to ensure sporting opportunities happened in person and on virtual platforms for the duration of this term. This is in despite of being in lockdowns and not having access to all the regular sports facilities we use.”
During November’s national lockdown, Æß²ÊÖ±²¥sport continued to operate with virtual activities, including online sport scholar support and inductions, and sport club online sessions. In the weeks before lockdown, when university sport was permitted to take place, more than 3,500 students accessed Æß²ÊÖ±²¥sport activities, even with an attendance capacity due to Covid-19.
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Fiona added: “To have more than 3,500 students access sport this term is outstanding, especially when there were social distancing measures in place to limit the number of attendees is staggering. To have this large number of students placing importance on their physical and mental wellbeing is fantastic.”
Æß²ÊÖ±²¥active, Æß²ÊÖ±²¥’s recreational sports initiative, was recently shortlisted for a British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Award for Participation Programme of the Year.
Emilie Fairnington, Sports Participation Officer said: “This is real testimony to all of the hard work that both past and present activators along with instructors have put in.
Æß²ÊÖ±²¥active was shortlisted for BUCS Participation Programme of the Year
“Over the past three years, I have had the honour of working alongside them all and it has been great to see how the programme has grown along with the positive impact it has had on both staff and students at the university. This could not have happened without the passion and dedication from the Æß²ÊÖ±²¥active workforce, especially the activators who are student volunteers!
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues from across Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ and DSU who have supported and worked with myself to develop the offer that Æß²ÊÖ±²¥active delivers. The programme could not be what it is today without collaboratively working with you all so thank you.”
If you have any questions about Æß²ÊÖ±²¥sport, please contact sports@dmu.ac.uk or visit the Æß²ÊÖ±²¥sport web pages.
Posted on Friday 18 December 2020