Roles, rituals, aims and memories
It’s a new academic year, and we have a newly elected GUSA Council to go with it. The Glasgow Guardian spoke to the people behind the Glasgow University Sports Association who represent not only their sports clubs, but also help to shape the wider UofG sporting community. From ensuring inclusivity to encouraging sustainability, the GUSA council play a key role in promoting sport as a vital part of student life in Glasgow.
In this article, the new Council members share with us their goals for the year ahead and tell us about their sporting rituals, and their favourite trips and memories.
Josh Adams – Publicity Convenor
4th year Computer Science
Josh has been an active member of the Athletics club and cross country running club Hares and Hounds since his first year. Serving as Publicity Convenor for Athletics last year, he aims to “uphold the high standard set by my predecessor, Ed, and ensure a consistent flow of quality content” in the year ahead. He’s looking forward to “highlighting the energy and spirit of GUSA as well as fostering collaboration with the many sports clubs at the university.” On pre-competition rituals, Josh “like[s] to keep myself moving as much as possible so I’m warmed up, focused, and I try to keep myself busy so that I do not overthink beforehand. I am also constantly listening to music to calm myself down and keep a level head going in.” His recalls Athletics club’s warm weather training in Valencia fondly, as being “great to be able to train in the Spanish sun!”
Lexie McDiarmid – Vice President
5th year Product Design Engineering
Lexie joined Lacrosse during Welcome Week and has been part of the club ever since. As Vice President, her focus is on inclusivity in sport at Glasgow:
“My aim is to encourage more students to get involved and create opportunities that help everyone feel part of the sporting community.” She also shared her match-day routine, “I love a wee sing-song on the way to a match to get in the zone. We also always have a team chat in the locker room beforehand, which really helps bring everyone together.” Lacrosse tournaments have been a standout for Lexie. “There’s something really special about travelling long hours to play in tournaments with universities from around the UK.”
Owen Headley – Secretary
5th year Earth Futures
Owen joined Hockey in his first week at university and later joined Lacrosse in third year. He’s especially excited to organise the Blues & Colours Ceremony next April, which celebrates the highest-achieving athletes and most-dedicated volunteers. As Owen puts it, “It’s a big responsibility to ensure we properly celebrate some of the standout members of GUSA over the year, but it’s a challenge that I’m greatly looking forward to taking on!” His ritual is simple, “I quite like getting my headphones on and playing some loud music to get me in the mood pre-game – can be anything from hip-hop, EDM or some 2010s cheesy pop.”
Sachin Dhaliwal – Finance Convenor
4th year Economics and Politics
Sachin, a member of the Tennis club since first year, says “It’s been probably the most integral part of my university life that I’ve really cherished”. His goal this year is to make sport more accessible for university students. “I’d like to‘improve and diversify the way we promote and advertise our different types of financial assistance at UofG as well as continuing to support GUSA club treasurers.” His ritual is a unique one: “Eating a chocolate muffin is something I started before my Nat 5s and I’ve kept it up since. It brought me luck in exams and although the tennis results have been more mixed, the muffin superstition is staying around!” His favourite trip was the tennis club’s trip to Portugal. “We discovered how great padel is as a sport, and we had a great team spirit throughout the week. It really brought out the essence of being in a sports club at UofG!”
Elise Ward – Inclusion & Culture Convenor
3rd year Mechanical Engineering
Elise hopes to get more clubs engaging with GUSA initiatives such as Rainbow Laces or Black History Month. Her aim is to “promote a community culture within sport where everyone feels welcome”.
Part of the Weightlifting club, Elise likes “to do my hair and makeup [before competitions] – when you feel good you lift good – have some sweets for energy, and listen to my competition playlist to get hyped!” Her favourite trip memory is going to Edinburgh for the Scottish University Championships. “It’s always such a fun day out, getting post weigh-in coffees, watching everyone compete and having fun with the team!”
Maisie Tait – Events and Fundraising Convenor
4th year Economics and Politics
Maisie has been involved with both Tennis and Netball since coming to uni. This year she
plans to “build on the past successes by organising a varied calendar of events that appeal and are inclusive to a wide range of students,” make GUSA events “more environmentally sustainable by reducing waste and encouraging reusable materials,” and “strengthen the volunteering element of our work by creating more opportunities for students to get directly involved in our chosen charity.” For her pre-event ritual, Maisie says, “I like to listen to music beforehand as it helps me stay calm and keep the stress away.” She recommends the Surf Club’s weekend trips as a highlight of her uni experience. She told us, ‘You spend the whole weekend beach surfing which is such a fun change from everyday uni life. What makes it even better is the social side – you are meeting loads of new people and by the end of the weekend you feel like you have made a whole new group of friends. It is the perfect mix of being active, trying something new and spending time with your friends.”
Erin McCabe – Travel & Sustainability Convenor
4th year Geography
Erin has been part of Trampoline club since second year and became even more involved as a GUSA Freshers Helper. This year, she hopes to “work with more local sustainable businesses” and “expand the sustainability challenge by encouraging more clubs to take part.” Her pre-event ritual: “A peach redbull and headphones on, or just pretending I’m not competing till I’m called on. Her involvement with Trampoline has taken her on trips to Edinburgh and Manchester for competitions as well as overnight stays in St Andrews and Dundee. “These trips are such an amazing way to meet new people and grow closer to your team.”
Eilidh McQuillan – Alumni Convenor
4th Year History
Eilidh, who is active in trampoline, swimming, and waterpolo, wants to increase visibility of their donation platform, and “maintain the success of our Alumni Dinner and other events.” Before competing, she likes “a good dinner the night before and listening to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack as hype music!” Her highlight from her trip memories was the Irish Student Trampoline Open competition in Belfast. “We went for four days and spent time competing, sightseeing, meeting people from other unis and going out to socials.”
From training sessions and competitions to unforgettable trips both in the UK and abroad, each Council member has their own reason why sport at Glasgow is so special. The shared commitment to ensuring that GUSA continues to be inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for all students involved is what unites the new Council and ensures that the year ahead promises to be an exciting one, building on past successes and bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to university sport at Glasgow.
