July and August has been an exciting time at The Students’ Union with lots of change and progress happening. As a sabbatical team, one of our first major tasks was to conduct a report on Graduation costs and we are now working towards lowering them by presenting our findings to the university.

I went to BUCS Conference which took place at Warwick University this year. It was a 3 day event and a fantastic opportunity to network and engage in workshops on some key issues within sport. Mark Sampson (England Women’s Football Head Coach) was one of the highlights as a keynote speaker. He discussed how whilst still very important, tactics, fitness and ability came second to building relationships with teammates. He felt that building togetherness as a team was a major factor in their success at the recent World Cup. Odd Shaped Balls also did a one-man show on the issue of homophobia in sport which was based on a real life experience at a university rugby team. The show was really insightful and highlighted the barriers that liberation groups still face in university sport.

Olivia and I (VP Society and Communication) ventured up to Leeds together to NUS Lead and Change. It was a really great experience to meet other Sabbatical Officers and gain a greater understanding of what other unions do across the country. Building relationships with other unions will help us when looking for support over the year. The workshops were engaging: in our regional networks it was useful to exchange ideas and best practice and discuss some similar issues we’re facing such as women’s participation in sport.

At the moment I am working on sports club budgets for the upcoming year and focusing on what we can do to make this the best year yet for #TEAMUWE.