Concrete 389

Emilia Gasparro News Writer

New figures from the Nuffield Trust see record numbers of nurses leaving the NHS in a new analysis for the BBC. It shows that more than 40,000 registered nurses have left the profession in the past year. Health bosses will inevitably be concerned with no quick fix on the horizon. Dr Billy Palmer of the Nuffield Trust - a UK health research charitycommented that the “staggering jump” in vacancies should be an “urgent wake-up call”, with many sighting health concerns and worklife balance as their primary reason for leaving.

The government's target is to increase the number of NHS nurses in England by 50,000 by the end of the parliament. A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care claimed in response to the report, “we are already halfway to meeting this, and a plan is being published soon to set out how recruitment will be improved over the coming years”. But with an estimated 40,000 vacancies, the Trust continues to question the legitimacy of how this is being measured. Data from the study suggests that this is not unique to England, with a similar trend seen across the whole of the UK.

Amanda Turpie from Leeds told the study she left her job as a children’s cancer nurse after 20 years due to the “ever-increasing pressures of the job”. Her work-life balance was “no longer sustainable”. She would

often have to work “beyond the end of her shift” and found it “hard to switch off after such an emotionally taxing day”. She also stressed that she wasn’t “the only one that feels this way” and that many NHS staff feel unhappy and underappreciated at work.

The current cost-of-living crisis will inevitably be a fundamental factor for many, with real-terms pay cuts of the past decade being stretched even further due to rising inflation. Miriam Deakin of NHS Providers told a recent Whitehall press conference, “Nurses can often earn more working in retail, and this could partly explain why one in ten nursing posts are currently vacant - the hours often required and the real-terms pay cuts just don’t add up to a sustainable career package”.

A further survey by Nuffield Trust looked at the reasons why so many staff are leaving. In 2022, just 43% of leavers did so due to retirement. The remainder could mainly be accounted for by personal circumstances, too much pressure, workplace culture, and immigrant workers leaving the UK after Brexit.

The dramatic rise in vacancies continues to have a significant impact on the quality of services, with huge backlogs in treatments and aftercare. This - alongside increases in flu vulnerability due to low immunity rates from the pandemic lockdowns - will inevitably result in the public health service facing yet another harsh winter of uncertainty and extra pressures.

Eleanor Radford News Writer

It was announced at the end of September that the 2019 ban on fracking in the UK would be lifted under the government’s new energy security plan. Fracking - the mining of gas and oil from shale rock with high-pressure hydraulics - has been a controversial practice due to its adverse effects on the local environment.

The growing global energy crisis is seen as the main reason for the overturn of the ban, but critics see it as a short-term solution. Instead, many suggest there should be work on investing in clean, renewable energy for the longer term.

The ban comes alongside the publication of a new survey by the British Geological Survey (BGS) that showed 120 tremors recorded at a fracking site in Lancashire over five years up to 2019. The survey also states that there is limited understanding of the impacts of drilling and could therefore continue.

Many national green charities, including the RSPB and the National Trust, have accused the government of “an unprecedented attack on nature and the laws that protect it”.

Similar statements have come from the CEO of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Racheal Rice, who states, “fracking’s wide environmental impacts and negative effect on action to counteract climate change mean it shouldn’t be revived… fracking will require large amounts of water- a resource Yorkshire cannot spare or risk contaminating”.

There has also been backlash from several climate change activist groups, such as ‘Frack Off’, who emphasised,: “Ten million acres of the United Kingdom under licence could now see the most significant fracking assault to date”.

Some of these acres will be licensed under new ‘investment zones’, designated areas of the country that provide tax breaks and receive government support.

The new zones create a heightened risk of air and water pollution due to the use of unregulated toxic chemicals, alongside general impacts on climate change and stopping countries from reaching emission reduction targets.

The only current licensed fracking site in Norfolk is near Cromer and uses Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), an experimental technology with a history of test failures. As of 29 September, Liz Truss has stated that fracking will only resume with local consent; however, the specifics of how this will be gauged are unknown.

A suggestion made by Mark Menzies (Conservative MP for Fylde) argued that it should only be allowed to restart if fifty per cent of locals actively give consent to it. In the past, Menzies has stated that fracking was “a danger to the public” and that he would “continue to fight for local communities.”

However, the Scottish parliament has stated that fracking will continue to be banned in the country, and the Welsh Conservatives back the Welsh parliament’s decision to keep its ban on fracking.

UEA’s Sustainability Society President, Louisa Moor, told Concrete, “I remember thinking the concept of fracking alone was dystopian, let alone the thought of lifting all bans on them in the UK.

Although fracking is seen to be cleaner and more sustainable than fossil fuels, there is a lack of understanding of how bad its environmental repercussions are. Investment zones are also a terrifying prospect, as there will be no protection for the animals of these areas and will turn important land into freefor-alls for development and destruction. As a sustainability society, we cannot mimic the thoughts of the RSPB strongly enough”.

It remains to be seen how the overturn of the ban will play

Libby Hargreaves Editor-in-Chief

We’re lucky, as UEA students, that our university is positioned in such an idyllic county; Norfolk is the home of a wonderful city, but also amazing woodlands, beaches and quaint villages.

The Broads, and a variety of Estates including the famous Holkham Hall are only a bus ride away for us- and there’s plenty going on over the next few weeks to explore!

I have been coming to Norfolk for holidays for over a decade with my family.

We usually stay in a caravan site near Thursford for a couple of weeks in the summer- it was one of the reasons I chose UEA, as I knew I loved the area so much.

I feel I’m therefore qualified enough to recommend some of my favourite spots.

First on my list is my absolute favourite seaside destination: Blakeney Quay.

A jewel on the North Norfolk Coastline, Blakeney is the perfect day trip for anybody; whether you’re a toddler looking for crabs, fancy a slide in the mudbank or a brisk walk.

My own favourite memories of Blakeney are of early morning sunrises paddleboarding from the Quay to Morston, with coffee and cake from Two Magpies, followed by an afternoon walk to Cley accompanied by some windowshopping.

A few miles to the west lies Holkham Estate, the home of the Cokes and a beautiful 18th Century example of architecture.

There are an abundance of walking trails around the estate, as well as the Walled Gardens and plenty of cycle paths which are fun for all ages and abilities, with hire available.

Down the road from the estate, you will find the vast Holkham beach- an incredibly versatile, nature-filled playground for all.

A long and muddy walk to the sea, perhaps don’t bring your wind break, but do bring a good pair of shoes to stroll among the pine trees if you get a chance!

Closer to home, beauty spots like Horstead Mill make for a lovely peaceful break from academic and personal stresses.

Coltishall is only a bus ride away and holds a great swimming or watersports spot, or even a spot to sit and read for a couple of hours.

There are lots of nearby cafes and shops for you to enjoy too.

If you don’t have as much opportunity to venture out from the city, there are plenty of spots on the outskirts worth a visit too; Whitlingham Country Park in particular, which has the best of the Broads without having to travel too far east.

If you visit any of these spots, be sure to leave no trace behind and be kind to the wildlife we share the earth with, and of course share the moment with your friends!

Collins Venue Editor

CareerCentral is the goto for all advice regarding employment.

Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or testing the waters for a post-grad life, CareerCentral has everything.

With an abundance of online resources, and an in-person space, you’re all set.

CareerCentral’s newest home is on the ground floor of the library – it’s so easy to find, and it helps that it’s bright yellow.

If you’re unable to come to campus, or you want to check out exactly what it is they offer, you can head on over to the MyCareerCentral website.

From there, just use your UEA login – or your Graduate login if you’re no longer a student here – and you’re in!

A multitude of sections will flood your screen, whether offering events, guiding you to an advisor, or helping you home in on specific skills.

The site is organised and signposted in an incredibly accessible way, so there’s no need to stress when you’re going through the already stressful process of job applications and career workshops.

If you’re on campus anyway, and you don’t exactly know what it is you need, go speak to one of the lovely CareerCentral staff – they couldn’t be more willing to help!

Through the site, I found my first proper part-time job, which I wouldn’t have seen elsewhere.

The job search allows you to filter your interests and your availability, making it all that much easier.

The staff also checked my CV for me, helping me perfect it and really emphasise my

strengths.

This was incredibly helpful in ensuring I knew what a strong CV looked like – and knew what pitfalls to avoid.

Generally, the staff were so kind as well – I never felt like my questions were stupid, nor was I made to feel like an idiot for not knowing these things.

CareerCentral doesn’t just help with the (slightly boring) admin stuff either, but they often host workshops and discussions which can be really inspiring.

In 2021, I attended the Working WithWords panels they held. This brought in alumni in various areas of journalism, publishing and editing, and gave them the space to talk

about their areas of expertise.

In all honesty, this helped me realise what I wanted to do post-uni.

It gave me the push to join Concrete, and it opened my eyes to the world of editing.

So, my advice to you, dear reader, is use CareerCentral. It’s so worth it.

Luca Di Cola Global Writer

The elections of the 25 September came at a vital moment for Italy. The context is one of war, social and political turmoil, economic crisis, and unlike other European countries a lack of room to manoeuvre, due to a high level of debt. All of this is exacerbated by a steady demographic decline and an aging population which make it even harder to achieve economic growth and renewal of ideas.

The far right of Giorgia Meloni (Fratelli d’Italia party) is the leading party and a member of the rightwing coalition of MeloniBerlusconi-Salvini. The future government will most likely be supported by the right-wing coalition of the parliament, as they are expected to get the majority of the seats in Parliament.

The issues that the next executive will have to tackle are many and challenging. Putin’s war with Ukraine will force the government, which will be sympathetic towards Russia, to take a pro-NATO position given the strong level of influence that the United States holds in Italy. As for Italy’s Mediterranean neighbours, this decade may be marked by more severe resistance towards Turkey’s

irredentist aspirations, with more frequent diplomatic attacks by both sides and an increase of Turkey’s already strong naval presence in the international waters of the Mediterranean. The previous Italian administration led by Mario Draghi tried to raise the United States’ awareness on the matter by calling Turkey’s president Erdogan “an assassin”, to almost no avail. Without a doubt, the next government will hold firm to this line of action as the tension will mount in the years to come.

Despite this, the economy will be the most demanding subject overall. Recession is likely, driven by the EUR/USD approaching parity, Italy’s vital export market slowing down, and by the rise in energy costs meaning among other issues heating houses is becoming prohibitively expensive for most families. Indeed, social unrest may dominate in the coming winter. This may contribute to a softening of the western European countries towards Russia in the incoming months, especially Italy and Germany which have always benefitted from solid diplomatic relations with Russia. Germany’s influence shapes Italy’s economy as most northern Italian industries directly produce goods for German businesses, but

the war, and hence higher energy prices, alongside inflation and a progressive shrinkage of a share of the Chinese market, may slow down the German economy and therefore Italy’s. Italy desperately needs the Recovery Fund money promised by the European Union and especially Germany, after the pandemic but the strong impact that sanctions are having on the EU may lead the European Commission to downsize the amount of money or impose new restrictions.

Italy’s position on the above matters will not change despite a change in the nature of the government, as these are overriding political and economic themes for the country’s survival. What will change is the narrative. The new governance will bring an anti-immigration, anti-EU, and pro-Church bent to the country. Every decision will be justified within a conservative and isolationist framework, blaming the EU for all of Italy’s structural problems, or the Nongovernmental Organizations framing immigration as a catastrophic invasion.

Giorgia Meloni (pictured) will do her best to maintain strong relationships with the EU as Italy desperately needs EU cash, but within the

country, she will discredit Brussels to gain support from the population. The isolationist propaganda will be supported by an attempt to strengthen diplomatic relations with other farright countries like Hungary,

Poland, and now possibly Sweden, simultaneously demonstrating the intrinsic fallibility of said isolationist rhetoric. Italy will face many, many struggles in the years to come, but solutions are few and far between.

Eve Attwood Features Writer

Going into second year, I can’t help but feel a mixture

of nostalgia and relief at seeing the mass of freshers descend onto campus.

On the one hand, I miss the excitement of being a fresher, how new everything was, and on the other hand, I am so grateful that I’m settled at university, no longer constantly wondering which building is which or how I’m going to make any friends. I’ve learned a lot about myself and university in the past year. So, I dedicate this to my former fresher self, and to anyone who needs to hear this.

No, you’re not going to be a loner for your entire university experience. Yes, you’re an awkward introvert, but so are most people, you’re going to be fine. You will make friends, some who share your interests, and others who don’t. You’re very lucky if you are in a flat filled with friendly people, so

cherish it. The truth is, not everyone you live with is going to be your best friend, they might leave the kitchen in a state or play their music too loud, but just rant about it to people you don’t live with to avoid tension. Make friends with your cleaner, a little kindness goes a long way, and for all the work they do, they deserve more recognition. Don’t forget you have a phone, so call your family when you need to rant or have a cry.

You’ll agree to nights out, despite the nerves, and nine times out of ten, you’ll end up having a great time. The music at A List will be terrible, but the memories you’ll make are so worth it. Don’t spend £5 on chips from the van outside the LCR, get a Maccies instead.

Try to steer clear of doing anything but a snack run in the campus shop unless you want to go bankrupt - go to Aldi or do an online shop from Asda. Circuit Laundry is about to become the bane of your life, both financially and mentally, don’t take washing machines in second year for granted! Only do a wash when you’ve only got a few clean pieces of clothing left otherwise it’s a waste of time and energy. It’s also a good idea to go to the laundrette either really early or late at night, otherwise it’ll feel like the Hunger Games trying to find a (working) machine.

The floor system at UEA is going to give you a headache, but I promise once you figure it out, it’s not that complicated: 0 is the ground floor, if a floor number has a 0 before it, it’s below ground floor, 1,2

and so on is above. 01 will probably be your favourite library floor. Study hard, but don’t overdo it. You’re in first year, you really don’t need to be stressing yourself out.

Join as many things as you can, either a club or society. You might end up not liking them, but either way, you’re going to meet new people. Some of the best people you’ll meet will be from events you had no intention of attending in the first place.

You will get lonely some

days, and long to be back home and you’ll feel like you’re the only one, but you’re not alone. Sleep literally whenever you can, because you won’t be able to do so in your final year. For the love of God, drink some water after a night out, and generally. University is the start of something great, so let yourself enjoy it. It goes by so much quicker than you’d expect. Most importantly, do not put pressure on yourself, it’s your life.

Attwood Comments Editor

When Instagram launched in 2010, its popularity relied on users’ ability to post candid photos to friends or family of what they were up to. Users posted unretouched snaps, thought less about how their feeds would appear, and were unbothered by follower counts.

Over time however, Instagram and the world of social media began to evolve, with a heavier focus on ‘influencer’ culture and paid advertisements. Celebrities and influencers began profiting off of paid advertisements for companies selling energy drinks, diet supplements, makeup and skinny teas. Influencers became

vital marketing devices for which brands could promote themselves with ease. In recent years though, this has faced backlash. For instance, Joe Lycett poked fun at Olympic swimmer Tom Daley in his stand-up for having been paid to advertise Barclays on a post about LGBTQ+ Pride. The world of Instagram became commercial, and as a result, its content became devoid of authenticity.

However, since the pandemic, there has been a shift in the content we are seeking to consume online. Gen Z in particular are leaning more towards an ‘antiInstagram’ approach with ‘photo dumps’ of unfiltered pictures which prioritise genuinity over perfection. It’s this shift which

catapulted the app BeReal to popularity in the last year. Founded by Alexis Barreyat and Kévin Perreau, the BeReal experience involves taking a photo daily after the app sends you a notification. You then have two minutes to take a ‘two-way photo using [the] phones’ frontand-rear-facing cameras’. Your friends’ posts are only accessible once you have posted your own daily photo. The app even reveals how late photos have been taken and how many times a photo has been retaken before the final one is posted.

As a result, many have gone on to claim that BeReal is a more authentic alternative to platforms such as Instagram, which as Hawley argues, often

‘encourage[s] dishonesty and, in so doing, degrade[s] our social and emotional health’. But despite the lack of filters available to BeReal users, I struggle to see how it is so different from Instagram. Users on BeReal are still able to stage photos without the aid of filters, skin retouching or ring lights. How many users have for instance rushed to change their outfit, stood posed with a friend or family member, or hidden the messy corner of their room once their BeReal notification has gone off? How many users have put off answering their BeReal notification until they are doing something eventful later in the day? BeReal is not revolutionary – it is simply another form of digital deception.

Our problem is perhaps that we are seeking authenticity in the wrong places. Everyone will always present a different version of themselves on social media. It will never truly represent reality because it can’t, and it wasn’t built to.

The easiest way perhaps to form a healthy relationship with social media or to interact with a more genuine version of ourselves is to simply use these online platforms less. Log off occasionally, go read a book, go for a walk, watch a film, talk to a friend. Stop remedying every moment with boredom by scrolling. You don’t need to post online for people to know you’re alive. You can just be.

Libby Hargreaves Editor-in-Chief

There is one key policy change I’ve had my eye on amongst the various U-turns and political missteps in the initial few weeks of Truss’ newly formed government, and that is the lift on the ban on fracking.

Before we dive into the consequences of this change, let’s go back to basics- what is fracking?

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, is the extraction of gas and oil from shale rock. A mix of water, sand and various chemicals is drilled into the earth at a high-pressure to release the gas inside the rock. Prior to 2019, the practice was legal, however the pressure can cause tremors in the earth’s surface; most notably the Cuadrilla site in Blackpool had recorded over 120 of these tremors.

After increasing concerns from local residents and the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), gov. uk released a statement at the time, announcing the practice would be banned; “Ministers took the decision on the basis of a report by the OGA, which found that it is not currently possible to accurately predict the probability or magnitude of earthquakes linked to fracking operations.”

In an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire, the PM was asked “We are the only area of the country that has done it, and it caused earthquakes, people’s houses shook. Why do you think it is safe to continue, because none of the science has changed?” Her response ensured they “will only press ahead with fracking in areas where there is local community support for that...the business secretary will make sure that any fracking that takes place is safe.”

As yet, there are no details about how local consent would be given or the scale of the project.

Tuss’ lift on this ban has angered many, but has also renewed the climate conversation around alternative energy sources; do we need fracking to generate energy? Would it ease our reliance on precarious international sources? Prime Minister Truss herself has claimed fracking would “get gas flowing in as soon as six months”, dangling it as a beacon of hope amid the energy crisis. Her business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, went as far as to say he would allow fracking in “his back-garden” following protests in his constituency.

The reality is recent polls suggest a mere 17% of people support fracking, in comparison with other energy sources such as renewables including solarwhich 90% support. The need, in terms of climate, for fracking

also is not scientifically or economically supported; UK Oil and Onshore Gas projects just 4.7% of national gas demand to be met by fracking by 2027. Not only do we need sustainable energy sources to become national infrastructure right now, not in five years, if we are to positively change our climate impact but also this small fraction has not been publicly priced up; we are completely unaware of any specifics as to the costs to the country.

In regard to the increase in energy prices, advocates for fracking also pose it as a solution to produce more energy on home soil. However, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) explained “The UK cannot address this crisis solely by increasing its production of natural gas…Our gas reserves- offshore or from shale- are too small to impact meaningfully the prices faced by UK consumers.” As a result, the government has been keen to pose the plans as a way to ensure future energy security, as opposed to a short-term costsaving solution.

Whatever your views on fracking, it is clear this government has divided views on their future plans- in the meantime, they can expect more protests and questions surrounding financing and local community impact.

Ray Khawaja Venue Deputy Editor

Million-dollar companies are desperate for the opportunity to look ‘greener’ towards the public. We all know that climate change is an increasingly real concern, and it seems as though airlines are damaging the trust of customers by greenwashing. This is a term coined to explain the false claims made by a company that are purposefully trying to give the appearance of being more environmentally conscious without making any

sustainable efforts.

The issue with flight emissions is that the harmful gasses they

produce, such as CO2 and nitrous oxides, stay up in the atmosphere and enhance the greenhouse effect. This effect is where UV rays from the sun reflected off the surface of the earth are unable to escape the atmosphere due to the layer of emissions, and instead remain in the atmosphere, making our world hotter and hotter.

Airlines such as KLM, Ryanair, and our most popular orange budget airline EasyJet mainly rely upon ineffective methods to cut emissions, and there have been some doubts over their commitment.

According to a report by Observatories RSE commissioned by Greenpeace, if Europe’s largest airlines were to even begin to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, they’d have to reduce at least 2% of their flights by 2040. The promise to be completely carbon neutral seems absurd.

As the demand for travel keeps increasing so does air milage. Air travel is one of the quickest ways to get to the place you’re wanting to be. It’s an ideal means of transport that is more than likely comfortable,

safe, and easy to use.

Low-cost flights (made by budget airlines) make travel a lot more easily accessible for those of low income (this can include you lovely students as well), granting them more opportunities and reducing class inequality, as at times socio economic status is forgotten discussing the environmental crisis. Some people are unable to afford the greener options.

Some argue that in some areas of air travel, where “green” alternatives aren’t so straightforward, airlines should be forced to show they are doing something and announce their commitments, but this can be incredibly dangerous. Professor Setzer, an assistant professor of climate law at the London School of Economics states “with greenwashing, it’s relatively easy and cheap to bring, but it’s also a case where you can address the advertising as well as the

communications around net-zero commitments”.

The most common alternative to plane travel is via train. But this limits on the places you can travel though as it mainly works for neighbouring counties. If you’re taking the train, you’ll emit six times less greenhouse gasses compared to a plane.

The growing impact of climate change is something inescapable, and it relies upon these airline companies to make an active change, no matter how little. It’s frustrating to see it as a marketing strategy as subsidies from fuel taxes give these airline industries unfair advantages. Customers are unaware of the environmental costs due to the distraction of the low prices, and this is becoming increasingly problematic.

Tom Green, a climate policy analyst who is constantly searching for ways to better the planet says, “Think twice before you grab that great flight deal for a weekend away in the sun. It’s not so great when you think about the emission that will continue to warm the planet for centuries”.

Dan Laughlan Sports Editor

For this issue of Concrete, I sat down with UEA Swimming President Matt Newson to talk about their merger with UEA Water Polo, sport’s impact on mental health and UEA Swimming and Water Polo’s hopes for the year.

In response to being asked what being President involves and means to him, Matt said: “It’s a lot of work but it’s good, I knew what I was getting myself into. I’m quite an OCD person so organising things I love doing. It’s things like sorting out the budget, socials and the general swimming side of things. It’s nice to be in charge of a good group of people. I think we have a really solid committee, so I don’t think we’re going to go wrong. When you have a good group of people around you it doesn’t feel like work. To have the role is a privilege I know not many second years get the role of President, so to get it I was like ‘oh crap, I actually need to do some work’ but it’s nice to have the responsibility.”

When asked what got him into swimming, he said: “Well I went through all the stages to swim at my local leisure centre when I was around five, I was actually quite scared of the water, I remember my mum pulling me out of the water screaming. I then went to a taster session, after people from Cambridge and Peterborough leisure centres came around handing out flyers, which I found fun and from there started competitively swimming from eight and just

found swimming to be chill for me.”

This year, UEA Swimming and Water Polo have set up a campaign around mental health aimed at getting people involved with sports to help improve people’s mental health.

I asked Matt for examples on how sport has helped his mental health. He replied, “I didn’t really struggle, fortunately, with mental health until covid. I went into covid with a snapped ankle, so I already hadn’t swum for months and then covid hit, and everything shut, it was awful. I couldn’t do anything, so my performance levels dropped. I spoke to my sister’s psychologist quite a bit, but getting back into the pool, back into the gym, it helped so much with my mental health. Any sport is not only going to help with your physical health but also mental. Also being part of a club where you meet so many great people, I now live with someone from swimming, shows it plays a big part in your life, so I don’t think anything beats sport, besides food, but that’s different.”

Following up, I asked Matt the ways he’s seen the progression in awareness of mental health at UEA and in swimming and how we can improve, he said: “The introduction of the wellbeing officers is a good start. As a club we always try to promote every mental health campaign and put ourselves out there so everyone knows we are there for you. To improve, I’d say we just need to talk more. it’s cliché but everyone has their own needs. We need to be proactive to offer

help. I don’t care who you are, everyone deserves help. Sport’s open for all, we say that and therefore we need to make it that way.”

This academic year UEA Swimming officially merged with UEA Water Polo. I asked Matt why and what benefits has he seen from it. He replied, “when you look at other universities, quite a lot of them combine the two as we use the same pool and facilities, so in a logical sense it makes sense to merge. Then in a performance way it also makes sense because if there are good swimmers in Water Polo, we can draft them for competitions and viceversa. Water Polo, I know, had a disappointing year last year because they couldn’t field a women’s team, this year they’ve drafted enough to have two women’s teams.”

After asking Matt who his sporting heroes were growing up, he commented, “it’s got to be Michael Phelps. I was at the Olympics in 2012, nine years old, so baby Matt at the time, I remember watching his performances and seeing him act with decorum and grace whilst still being at the top of his game, it was just phenomenal.” Outside of swimming, Matt named Roger Federer as

another one of his heroes, saying: “He’s shown that if you love something you will do it for as long as you can.” Also naming Lewis Hamilton for his role in speaking up for causes he cares about, finishing up by saying, “all three of them stand out as major role models not only for the stuff they’ve done sporting-wise but also the way they carry themselves outside of their sport.”

I asked Matt about his favourite social from swimming last year. in response he said, “I’d say ‘Crate Escape’. The club gets split into teams and each team gets around four to six massive crates of beer and cider, two litres of vodka and two litres of lemonade which, as a team, you have to get through in the night whilst completing various challenges. You finish in the square where one of your team has to be dressed as a knight using the leftover boxes, and make a sword from the empty cans, which for me were Strongbow and Fosters, Fosters is disgusting and you can quote me on that, and then you have to fight the other knights.”

When asked about how he would encourage people to join swimming, he replied, “I recently found out swimming is the most participated sport in the world, simply because at one point everyone gets in a pool. Everybody nowadays is pushed to learn to swim. I’d say it’s more than just a sport, it’s a life skill. I think it’s a great way to socially engage, gain a life skill and gain memories. If you have access (to a pool) you’d be

silly not to give it a go, it will change your life for the better because not only might it save your life it’s also so influential on your physical and mental health.”

Finally, I asked Matt what legacy he wants to leave behind at UEA. He answered, “I’ll speak for a few of my committee members and myself, because it’s not just about myself, I think some people in power at clubs get a bit lost and make it more about them rather than the team.

One of my committee members, Josh Stroud, said he wants the club to succeed competitively and socially and to leave a legacy that shows two clubs can merge and it can work. I think he speaks for all of the committee in saying that, and I hope that we’ll have one of our most successful BUCS ever because of this merger as well as making ourselves as accessible as possible to everyone. We don’t want to create a legacy for us, we want to create a legacy so that the next committee can do their job properly and makes sure that UEA Swimming and Water Polo stays afloat, no pun intended.”