18 STUDENT ACTIVITIES
LUTON WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM AIM TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES
BY MAT THEW POST
The Luton women’s Hockey Captain vents her frustration with the University over the never-ending timetable issues, and explains why her team started the competitive season so late and praises some of her girls for their patience and performances. Luton’s hockey girls have had a stressful season, players not being allowed to play because of lectures, and not playing a game until the new year. Plus a completely new squad of players, with the exception of a few, working together trying to gel as a team. It’s fair to say their task has been a hard one. However, despite their woes, their season is now up and running and they got off to a flyer in their first game, beating Bedford seconds 2-0 in a fiercely contested local derby. The Blend reporter Matthew Post caught up with Captain Manjindar Khatkar to discuss these problems and her views on the season so far…
Well it’s certainly been a difficult start to your season; you had a lot of games called off why was that? “It was time tabling issues, people had lectures Wednesday mornings so couldn’t play in the away fixtures. To solve this we pushed back a lot of those games until after Christmas when timetable changes were going to happen. It’s fine now though” How did this affect the team? “In a way I think it’s helped us because we know how well we’ve got to do and who we’ve got to beat. Because we’re all the other teams have played we know now what we have to do” The league deducted points from you. This must have been a bit of a blow? “It’s not they deducted points, it’s the fact the first match we missed we didn’t let the league know in time, so we lost three points. I understand why they did it. You’ve got a relatively new side this season, how do you think it’s gone so far? “The people who turn up to training perform very well, we’ve had two new players who joined just after Christmas, and they’ve fitted in well. We have gelled together very well.” So it’s quite a challenge mixing the new players with the established ones? “We all get on really well with each other. It was so difficult losing so many players, but this year was a whole new recruitment of players and you have to get to know each
other personally” Who do you think have been the stars of the season so far for you? “I would say there’s been a mixture, Jo Yates scored both goals against Bedford, but everyone played the part in the win. We’ve got a really good defence and Amy Rogers, our goalie, is amazing” Would you say it’s been an all round team performance then? “Yeah exactly. Lauren Steele had never played hockey before and she’s been amazing at left back, I think we’ve all had our little impacts towards team performance” What’s the aims for you guys as a team this season? “We just want to get better; obviously it’s a new team going across into next year, so next season is the one where will be looking at trying to win it” So promotion’s not a goal this season? “Obviously we were docked points, we don’t know where we stand on this. We can aim for it, but we just want to play the best we can” It seems Luton are in the middle of rebuilding a side who can stay up this season and perhaps go on and dominate next. With the enthusiasm and confidence Manjindar possesses, Luton’s hockey side could well be building a team who can take on anybody in their league. Despite a 2-0 away defeat to Northampton in their third game, the team will have to show their character and bounce back to finish the season as their captain knows they can, with big performances.
LOVE AT THE BEACH
SEXISM IN FOOTBALL By Dennis Oware
The recent dismissal of Andy Gray, resignation by Richard Keys and suspension of Andy Burton at Sky Sports has re-sparked the issue of sexism in football. Former commentator Gray and presenter Keys were heavily criticised following comments made about Sian Massey, a female assistant referee. A controversial decision was made by Massey in the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool game, which lead to a series of sexist comments. Keys said: “Someone better get down there and explain offside to her.” Gray replied: “Yeah I know. Can you believe that? A female linesman. That’s exactly what I was saying, women don’t know the offside rule.” The conversation ended with Keys stating; “The game’s gone mad.” Subsequently the decision made by Massey was deemed to be correct, making the harsh comments made towards her completely unfair. The 25-year-old lineswoman was withdrawn from her next two matches before making her Premier League return in the match between Blackpool and Aston Villa. Gray and Keys were clearly unaware their microphones were switched on and believe they were set-up by a colleague. The remarks made resulted in Gray having his £1.7million a year contract terminated by Sky Sports, before Keys handed in his resignation. Keys has come in for more criticism as he made an offensive comment towards Karren Brady, vice-chairman of West Ham United Football Club. The former Sky Sports presenter said: “Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah, do me a favour love.” Keys has also been previously accused of racism in another incident where he referred to former professional footballer David Johnson as ‘Choco Jocko’. It is clear the FA (Football Association) and Premier League have done everything in their power to kick out racism in football, but have they done enough to kick out sexism?
Love and romance came to the Mezzanine on Valentine’s Day when UBSU hosted an alcohol awareness and sexual health event. The Safe Sex On The Beach event was organised in conjunction with Alcohol Services, PUKE, Luton NHS and Chlamydia Screening. A choice of three valentine’s themed mocktails were available: Cranberry Kisses, Cupids Cup and The Lady Marmalade, which tasted great and were very popular with the 187 students who attended the event. The students took part in fun games including The Heart Hunt and Cupids Mixed Up Heart, as well as receiving free information and gifts about safe drinking limits and sexual health. Students who wanted to could also take part in Chlamydia screening. There was also a quiz in which students were asked to give away they could show someone they loved them that did not involve sex or alcohol. The lucky winner received a lovely valentine’s hamper for their response. “Spend real time together without money, you fell in love with THEM in the first place. Quality time together is the greatest gift”.