Purple Wednesdays Wednesday 14th November 2007
11
Sports news
Skydiving
Paintball: the rivals Coaches’ Corner
Women’s Hockey Team
Simon Owen
Ski and Snowboard vs Wakeboard
The UPSU’s un-sung sports heros
M.O.M: Kim Agate D.O.D: Miss Kayleigh
On the 20th/21st of October the first of our static line training courses took place, and the weather couldn’t have been better. Those on the course travelled up to Netheravon on Friday evening in a minibus. It was an early start on Saturday morning to make sure the students were ready for a day of intensive training. Their training covered everything they needed to know in order to make their first skydive from 3,500ft. Sunday was the big day for our students, who were about to make their first jump. After a refresher training session it was time to get all of the required equipment and start kitting up. The students were joined by Simon, the onboard cameraman (among other things). Despite some nervous looking students everyone jumped and really enjoyed it. There were some really good jumps from some of the students, good enough to help them progress onto the next stage in their training. Congratulations to all those making their first skydive – welcome to our world! Unfortunately there was one slight incident on the jump; we found out that Vicky’s perception of height is somewhat lacking, when she flared at around 30ft, instead of 10ft! It meant that she had a slightly hard landing, and ended up spraining her ankle. Despite it only being a minor injury she still caused everyone grief with incident forms and an A & E visit. Everyone enjoyed their first jump so much they were all eager to go and do another one. After being debriefed it was time to go again. This time saw yet more progression, with some more “good all the way”s being written in the students’ training record cards. Although the weekend was focused around the new students the experienced members of the club still managed to get some jumping in. The more experienced members again improved their jumps and continue to move from strength to strength.
The event took place on Saturday 3rd of November when the Ski and Snowboarders completed the mission “Wakeboard Wipe-out”; yes that’s right the Ski & Snowboarders took the Wakeboarders out! The Wakeboard President Josh Clarke started off the foul play with a point blank shot to Chris Francis Clifford to the top of the head. Then certain blondes (Alex Pickering & Ed Hamilton) in the Wakeboard club decided it would be funny to shoot the already ‘dead’ Ski and Snowboarders whilst walking back to base all day! In true Snowboard social secretary style, after running out of paintballs, and refusing to eat one Claudia Albrecht decided to become a suicide runner. After four games, there was a lunch break which everyone needed as the hangovers started to kick in. The games after lunch lost all momentum as everyone ran out of energy and ammunition. It was soon decided to move to a bigger and better site. After a few exciting games in the jungle and village site teams started to drop away due to extreme hangovers starting with Team Blonde. Soon after a few weak Ski and Snowboarders followed suit. Finally Ski and Snowboard took a narrow victory. For future reference, Wakeboarders play dirty and Ski and Snowboarders are team players.
Here at the University of Portsmouth we employ three community coaches. The clubs have improved, not just in standard, but in structure. As well as catering for more people whilst showing more professionalism than before, it is time we started to appreciate the coaches and value the work they put in; this applies to all coaches.
On The Spot! Score & Win
Who are you? Kate Hutchins Age: Very nearly 21 unfortunately! Still pretending to be 19 forever! Club/Society History: President/ Commodore of the SAILING CLUB! Simply the greatest club in the world! Home town: Winchester (where all the raahs live, hehe) First Portsmouth Curry: umm, Light of Bengal methinks. Favourite Movie: Bit of a sucker for Four Weddings I’m afraid, Shaun of the Dead is up there too! What puts a smile on your face? Lots of sailing when it's tres windy and sunny so I can top up the tan and get fit at the same time! And the boyfriend (oops!) What wipes it off? Lots of wet, freezing and hung-over sailing (when trying not to be sick). Most embarrassing moment: Possibly a few walks of shame from Southsea to James Watson as a Fresher, never good! Best chat up line: I’ve heard from someone "When they made the alphabet they should have put U and I together!" Absolutely shocking, but credit for creativity! What was your first kiss like? I have really no idea, I can’t remember it at all. Sad times! Favourite uni memory: So many! Time and Envy back in Southsea as a Fresher, good times were had in that joint! How quickly can you down a pint? Not fast at all, I’m too much of a girl I’m afraid! Tip of the week: Smile! It solves everything!
Over the past 3 years Portsmouth Women's Thirds have struggled for goals. Many have considered taking their hockey sticks and ending it with one quick, final whack to the head. Finally the spirits of all the old hockey girls arose on all hallows eve to a mighty win, over the doctors of Imperial media school who will need more than a sticky plaster to mend their broken souls. The first goal was scored early in the first half by Miss Fluffy Bunny, standing behind the captain I witnessed her near collapse in disbelief and excitement. Shaking with anticipation we continued fighting on and another goal soon followed from Jess in her first match. The second half proved more difficult with the doctors seeming to have woken up were fighting back at us. They shouldn’t have bothered though as the defence was as impressive as the attacker’s, with tackles flying in fully around the ankles of the opposition. The forward play was almost telepathic at points with first Georgie and then Steph score spectacular goals. The final whistle blew in anticipation of numerous games of 'touch-a-winner' were to played after this brilliant five nil win. Pompey 5 V 0 Imperial Medical School
Separated at birth
Wayne Gardiner
To find out more about the Skydive club at: http://www.skydiveport.co.uk
I have been the boxing coach for the University for just under two years now, but started boxing for fitness when I was thirteen. On joining the Royal Navy I became a competitive title winning boxer until injury forced me to hang up the gloves. I was lost and did not know what to do with myself. Luckily life works out and I was encouraged into coaching (thanks Q), which I found gives me everything from a boxing ring except the physical pain of the actual punch (not a bad deal). I coached in the Navy for years before taking over as the University’s Head Coach. I love coaching at the University as I have seen so many binge drinkers, shy or violent people turn from teenagers to adults with the help of boxing. Since joining, the club's success has exceeded my expectations; with National University Gold, Silver & Bronze medals, Southern County Finalists, a National Quarter Finalist, Female ABA National Champion, Gold and Silver in multi-nations cup (Denmark) and us remaining undefeated in three home shows. Our main aim now is to obliterate the rest of the Universities across the country while getting the University's Boxers representing their country. “My life is dedicated to my passion and so my passion is my life”.
Gotchas...
Intra-mural
Does our media officer have the X Factor? Finally, the banter’s back! We knew UPSU media officer Alex Harries had a hidden secret, well, imagine how shocked we were when Alex appeared on our TVs in the disguise of Rhydian Roberts - X-Factor contestant. Judge for yourselves with the evidence below (and send your matches in to newsdesk@upsu.net!)
After a couple of weeks without them, we have finally managed to bring you back the sporto stitch-ups !
Left: Alex Harries - Right: Rhydian Roberts
Send in your gotchas to us at: sportnews@upsu.net
After the horse riding social four of the girls ended up in bed together. Who convinced the wakeboarding club to get the “gay hair”? Women’s football seem confused! Why were they fighting each other rather than the opposition? Which male footballer was seen coming out of the tanning salon? Inter cricket relations are at an all time high. Apparently the squash president now plays for England. Is the hockey president under the thumb? Cricket fresher Sparrow used to play for Tottenham! He’s plastic, fact! Rumour has it Ski & Snowboard are taking a trip to Madagascar. Cannon has brought home 27 people since October; 26 received cuddles and the other was Milkshake.
Dodgeball What is it? Intra-mural Dodgeball When is it? Sunday 18th November, Nuffield Sports Centre What time? 10am – 5pm How many players? 6 and 2 substitutes How much does it cost? £10 – all for charity How can you get involved? Email: sportsofficer@upsu.net
photo: Aram Armstrong on Flickr