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23 SEPTEMBER 2013, WEEK 1
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NEWS
BADGER
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION
FEATURE
A history of activism 10% Co-op discount 3 at Sussex announced for all NUS Page Extra card holders Page 10 Page 4
COMMENT
ARTS
‘The summer diary 14 of aPage uni kid’
We interview the “Harry Potter of beatboxing” Page 14
Pages 10
SPORTS TUNE IN ONLINE Memorial match for Alex Jansons
Page 18
Whistle blown on Rugby team Emily Sutherland Deputy Editor-in-chief The University of Sussex Students’ Union has disbanded the Men’s Rugby Club for a period of two years following damages on their summer sports tour. Members of the Sussex Rugby Team have been forced to pay over £15,000 in costs after players damaged a tour bus. The Students’ Union’s Trustees have since decided to ban the team for a period of two years, sending a clear message that it will not tolerate behaviour like this from any sports clubs. The Union’s trustees felt the team failed to abide by strict behavioural contracts signed by all members. The Students’ Union commented: “The Rugby Team has been disbanded because of incidents on the 2013 Sports Tour. All members of the team attending Tour had signed behavioural contracts due to incidents in previous years, and all had attended equality and diversity sessions prior to the incident. “Players were warned that they could be removed from the club if they broke their behavioural contracts – and all of them broke these contracts. The Students’ Union was faced with no other option following incidents over a number of years”. Concerns about the behaviour of sports teams from universities across the country have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with numerous reports of dangerous initiation ceremonies and outlandish tour antics. However, disappointed Freshers stu-
dents, who had the intention to play competitive rugby for the University during their first year, are riled that the actions of other students have affected them. One rugby fanatic argued that all members of the team responsible for the damage should have been banned, rather than the entire club. A furious second year student, who did not wish to be named, laid bare his frustration with the Union’s “extreme” decision, swiftly adding: “The sun will shine, the rain will come and the Union will make a stupid decision.” Members of the Rugby Team are also said to be unhappy, with some pointing out that the University continues to operate sports tours with companies that actively encourage the ethos of binge drinking. Others, however, feel even more can be done to distance the University from such behaviour. The Union will review its decision in May 2014, providing the potential opportunity for the Rugby Club to reappear a year earlier than expected. A student agreeing with the decision commented: “I think that as a representation of our University, we should be able to be proud of our sports teams.” The Rugby Team ranks as one of the largest and most successful sport clubs in the University’s history. With the hope of having the ban overturned within a year, members of the Rugby Team have made steps to recover its tarnished reputation by organising core value workshops with the Rugby Football Union. This will involve encouraging members to take coaching or referring courses, which can then be
used to volunteer at the University and in the local community. The Rugby team have already made steps to change the mentality of the team by positively developing the culture within the club. The club aims to modify their socials by encouraging a more welcoming, inclusive atmosphere and intend to arrange a series of fundraising events throughout the year. Plans for a charity Touch Rugby tournament on 25 September are already underway. The American Football Club commented on the banning of the Rugby Club, stating: “We feel it’s a shame that Sussex University has lost a successful sports team as it helps towards the diversity of sports clubs at the University, and we hope that they are allowed to return soon”. Although the actions of the Rugby Team and the subsequent disbanding has come as a considerable blow for Sussex sport, some believe the decision could unleash a brighter new dawn for both the Men’s Rugby Team and other sports clubs, as well as increase the exposure of other less successful sport clubs on campus. While there will still be opportunities to be involved in men’s rugby in Brighton, the Women’s Rugby Club and lesserknown sports will undoubtedly enjoy a greater level of exposure. The Women’s Rugby team is a flourishing and successful squad, which may now gain a larger following from students still keen to support a Students’ Union rugby team.
Continued on page 4...
Freshers Fair on Campus last week. University of Sussex