University of Leicester. Joint Strategy for Sport between the. Students Union and the University: Sport Leicester

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Violet Theresa Tyler
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1 University of Leicester Joint Strategy for Sport between the Students Union and the University: Sport Leicester Purpose, Vision, Strategic Direction, Values What is the purpose of Sport at the University? Sport has a number of purposes at the University:- To improve the health & well-being of the student cohort To improve the student experience whilst at the university To improve the reputation and standing of the university through the performance of its elite sports teams To generate a surplus to return to the university Each has merit and each is largely independent of each other. The successful pursuit of one or more will necessarily mean others are eschewed and not achieved. There is a choice. Our choice and our vision is:- Vision To be a provider of excellent sporting facilities and opportunities for students, staff and the local community that supports, drives and motivates individuals and teams in their aspiration for sporting success; to promote healthier lifestyles and greater participation in sport. Strategic Direction The University of Leicester aims to be in the top 150 international institutions and become Britain s top university for student satisfaction. A key component in this aspiration is the provision of high quality, successful and popular sports and physical activity. The development of the student experience is as important as the quality of teaching and research in attracting and retaining students, and the available facilities and quality of activity (both in terms of success and participation rates) can be the difference between high quality candidates and students choosing Leicester over other, leading competitors. Sport Leicester needs to create student development opportunities, an improved overall experience and better health and well-being. There is a commitment to a two pronged-approach to service delivery: the University will develop its elite athletes to help them reach their potential whilst working towards mass participation amongst student members. Fundamental to the strategy are the reasons why sport is a worthwhile activity to engage in: Excellent facilities and successful sports teams attract better students to the University. Well-rounded students are attractive to high quality employers. Sport provides a positive respite from the stresses of work and study. 1

Sport has a number of purposes at the University:- To improve the health & well-being of the student cohort To improve the student experience whilst at the university To improve the reputation and

2 Sport provides the ideal activity to engage and inspire those people motivated by competition. Sport and physical activity create fit and healthy members of the University community who are better able to cope with the stresses of University life. Sport provides social contact with others within the University community in a fun, relaxed, healthy environment which promotes cohesion, community and shared experience. The UK will host the Olympic Games in This is the single biggest global event and will enthuse and energise a generation. The Games seek to leave a legacy of increased participation, excellence and improved health across the UK. This strategy has a similar aspiration within the University. Values Sport Leicester will be lead by the same, high values that apply to all of the current student experience programmes: 1. Strategic direction and leadership is in the hands of the student population and the wider University community. 2. Sport Leicester aims to be diverse and attract engagement from all areas of the University population. 3. Sport Leicester extols excellence in its facilities, delivery and outcomes. 2

Sport provides social contact with others within the University community in a fun, relaxed, healthy environment which promotes cohesion, community and shared experience.

3 Aims and objectives in key areas:- Participation and improving the student experience 1. Facilities and resources Improved effectiveness and delivery, building upon current capacity and establishing the facilities and staff for a top national and international institution. Develop physical facilities that support the objectives of the institution by increasing space and equipment in key areas. Develop appropriate, high quality facilities in Oadby and at the Main campus to enable easy and regular use by the University community. 2. Participation Develop students and staff, increasing levels of participation in sport and physical activity. Student participation should reach the same heights as in other institutions of a similar type and ambition, namely over 65% of the population. 3. Performance Raising performance and achievement with outstanding sporting success for individuals and teams. The University finishes within the top 50 universities in the BUCS point s table within 5 years. This would place us in the top half of the 1994 universities in the BUCS competition. The University wins three of the leagues, cups or competitions that it enters each year. The University develops the ability of its elite athletes, encouraging them to reach the very best of their potential, in competitions within and outside of university competitions. Establish a core of sports that can most effectively use resources to achieve high performance The University aims to provide excellent coaching services to maximise the sports training experience. 4. Performance Sport Excellent facilities and a past tradition of good performance means we can currently aspire to be excellent in these sports Fencing, Men s Rugby Union, Women s Rugby Union, Hockey (M/F), Tennis As funding and club & facility development allows this list will get larger. Engagement with the National Governing Bodies of these sports has the potential to develop a regional centre of excellence at the University. 3

Develop physical facilities that support the objectives of the institution by increasing space and equipment in key areas.

4 5. Healthy Living The strategic lead for this strand will be provided by the Student Healthy Living Manager and we will work closely to deliver shared objectives. Sport should support and promote the University s Health Living Programme. 6. Sport for students with a disability All our sports clubs are open access clubs. All our facilities are DDA compliant. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact our Sport Leicester Development Team at the earliest opportunity to ensure we can best respond to their needs. 7. Community Engaging the local community with effective partnerships and high levels of community involvement. Community use to dovetail with student priority uses. Establish positive links with local community groups including schools, residents groups and local authorities. Utilise the community use of facilities to support the overall support of the local population for the University and its students. 8. Management Integrated management and provision of sports across the University to enable high performance and efficient use of resources, physical, financial and people. Unify the funding of sports bringing the Students Union grant, Sports & Recreation income and the University subsidy together to increase efficiency. Bring all sports under a single management structure. The proposed Sport Leicester Development Group will be the University s top level sports committee. It will be responsible for the strategic direction of Sport Leicester and monitor performance against strategy. It will receive termly reports by the individual organisations, commenting vigorously on the operation, resource allocation and performance of all aspects of Sport Leicester. The operational delivery of the strategy will remain with the individual Service or Association with the expectation in the medium term that they will join in a single delivery organisation. The Terms of Reference and Membership of this new Group is detailed in Annex A. The Group will report annually to the Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee. 4

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact our Sport Leicester Development Team at the earliest opportunity to ensure we can best respond to their needs. 7.

5 ANNEX A Development Group 5

6 Sport Leicester Development Group The Terms of Reference of the Group is proposed as: 1. To provide strategic direction in the development of sporting facilities, programmes and support services. 2. To receive the aims and objectives of the sports strategy and to put in place the steps to achieve these. 3. To be collaborative with the SRS and SA to achieve the aims & objectives of the sports strategy through setting of priorities and the production of a sports development plan. 4. To recommend to the relevant University and Union bodies any proposed amendments to the structure of sport at the university. 5. To develop a cohesive image of sport at the University. 6. To review the Strategic Plan at least every three years. 7. To encourage a sporting community to which all individuals may contribute without fear of discriminatory attitudes or practices. These Terms of Reference acknowledge and are subjugate to the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Leicester and the University of Leicester Students Union The Group will report annually to the Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee. Membership of the Group is proposed to be: a) Chair Professor Sarah Hainsworth b) The Deputy Director of Finance c) The Director of Sport d) The Assistant Director of Sport e) The Chief Executive of the Students Union f) The Student Union Student Activities Officer g) The Student Union Sports President 6

To be collaborative with the SRS and SA to achieve the aims & objectives of the sports strategy through setting of priorities and the production of a sports development plan. 4.

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