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University Sports - Ask Away

Postby cberry on Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:19 pm

I am the Sabbatical Athletic Union President and would be happy to answer any questions regarding competitive and recreational sport and exercise offered at the University.

Chris
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Re:

Postby ONeill on Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:44 am

Quoting cberry from 15:19, 26th Jul 2006
I am the Sabbatical Athletic Union President and would be happy to answer any questions regarding competitive and recreational sport and exercise offered at the University.

Chris


Probably a good idea for all the newbies to sign up right away. After 3 years I still say I'll get active and join something. Gets more and more unlikely by the day. :(
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Re:

Postby Admin on Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:57 am

And don't forget there's a Sport Messageboard provided by The Sinner too!

www.thesinner.net/mb/main/sport
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Re:

Postby singsong on Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:34 am

Hello there! I was wondering if there was a school gym or if there was one in St.Andrews? Are there indoor pools in St.Andrews for wintertime swim practice? Also, if I would like to take up Horseback riding again, is there someplace near town to take lessons at a stable or...?
singsong
 

Re:

Postby Guest on Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:34 am

how competitive is crew? how often does the team practice. And how about the horseback riding?and how about sailing?

Are there any sports clubs that are just for fun?

Thanks!
Guest
 

Re:

Postby cberry on Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:32 pm

I'll attempt these questions to the best of my ability, though in some cases I can not make a qualified response so I've attached the relevent contact details. Perhaps other sinners can contribute as well? Details and websites of all University Sports Clubs can be found at:
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/au/clubs.htm

And of course the best way to learn about sport is to come along to the Sports Fayre held on Saturday 23 September from 10am-4pm in the Union.

Quoting singsong from 19:12, 26th Jul 2006
Hello there! I was wondering if there was a school gym or if there was one in St.Andrews? Are there indoor pools in St.Andrews for wintertime swim practice? Also, if I would like to take up Horseback riding again, is there someplace near town to take lessons at a stable or...?


The University Sports Centre has a fitness suite which includes a number of CV machines, free weights and machine weights. The University does not own a swimming pool, however there are two in town which the University Water Polo, Lifesaving, and Swim Club all use, and can be used by individuals as well. As for Horseback Riding there are definitely places nearby, though personally I know very little about the sport! The best bet is to contact the University Riding Club at:

ridingclub@st-andrews.ac.uk

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~riding/

Quoting Unregistered User from 04:10, Todayhow competitive is crew? how often does the team practice. And how about the horseback riding? and how about sailing?

Are there any sports clubs that are just for fun?

Thanks!
[/s]


Again I'm not sure of all the details on Riding, however they can be contacted at ridingclub@st-andrews.ac.uk

Boat club information can be found at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~boatclub/ and its president Felix Lobkowicz can be contacted at fl39@st-andrews.ac.uk I have not been involved with the club myself, but do know that its members are very committed and the club has been making huge gains in the past few years, both with the programme offered and the results achieved.

The Sailing Club is a club I know a bit more about as I ran it for a year. The Club sails twice weekly on its fleet of 11 boats (8 matched lark dinghies for racing, 2 wayfarers for beginner sailing, and a laser 5000 double-trapeze skiff for sailing really really fast) Novice and intermediate sailors are welcome to all sessions, and our racing teams trains every Wednesday and compete (nearly) every weekend of term. For sailing visit http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~sail or email me (address below).

There are opportunities for both competition and recreation in most sports. Many sports clubs offer recreational sport within their structure, while other competition-focused clubs have recreational offerings in their sport through the Departement of Sport and Excercise.

Hope this answers your questions, please do ask more! Also questions regarding anything sport-related can be sent to me at aupres@st-andrews.ac.uk

Chris
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Re:

Postby Altheia on Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:27 pm

Quoting from 04:10, 27th Jul 2006
Are there any sports clubs that are just for fun?


The Ladies' Cricket Club is so new (having only gained enough members to form a team this past year) that, while we do play games and are trying to give our members a way to play more seriously, the majority of our members join to play for fun. We've got a first team that is a bit more competitive - a bit - but most of us have only been playing a year or two at best. Because of this, the club is great if you just want to get some excersise once or twice a week, learn a bit more about cricket, meet some great people, and just generally have a laugh.

We'll be at the sports fayre as well as recruiting around town before then, and I highly encourage anyone who might want to learn more to visit us at the sports fayre!

(Yes this is a blatant attempt at recruitment... but it's all true!)

[hr]

When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. - Mark Twain
When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. - Mark Twain
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Tennis

Postby figaro on Sat Jul 29, 2006 4:36 pm

Hey, does St Andrews have a tennis team? If so, any good?
figaro
 

POLO

Postby alaing on Sat Jul 29, 2006 4:37 pm

Polo. I was told that it was offerd as a sport at the University. Is this true, and if so, does anyone have any information?

Thanks,
-ADAM
alaing
 

Re:

Postby cberry on Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:19 pm

Quoting figaro from 23:48, 27th Jul 2006
Hey, does St Andrews have a tennis team? If so, any good?


The Tennis Club trains Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and also goes to a number of Scottish and British competitions. The quality of the team, like all sports, varies year to year, I know they were very serious a handful of years ago. They should have a coach in for September (AU is working on this), which should improve the quality of training. Questions on the club can be sent to: tennis@st-andrews.ac.uk


Quoting alaing from 04:33, 29th Jul 2006
Polo. I was told that it was offerd as a sport at the University. Is this true, and if so, does anyone have any information?

Thanks,
-ADAM



The Polo Club is one I admittidly am not terribly familiar with, however they can be contacted at standrewspolo@yahoo.com or by visiting
http://www.standrewspolo.co.uk I do know they attend a number of regional and university tournaments, and train at in indoor facility somewhere in Fife.

Hope this answers your questions, please feel free to ask more questions here or email aupres@st-andrews.ac.uk

Chris
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canoe club

Postby Guest on Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:36 pm

I saw that the canoe club offers polo, surf and whitewater kayaking.

Do they provide kayaks for all of these? And what are the approximate months of the activity? I can't imaging I'd be wanting to surf in December.
Guest
 

Riding

Postby hcp4 on Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:41 pm

Hey!

Chris asked me to post some information on the Riding Club. Well, I am the president of that club and more than happy to answer any questions.

We offer recreational as well as competetive riding for all levels of abilities (total beginner up to professional riders). We have several competitions all over Scotland every year. Our two teams are chosen at the beginning of the semester in try-outs that will be held during the first couple of weeks. (for more info on our teams, see our website)
For those riders who do not want to compete we offer training lessons in a nearby stable as well as hacks on the beach and in the forests. These hacks are all guided by officials from the stable.

We do not have set training times but try to arrange lessons as flexibly as possible. We run a first come first served policy as we only have a limited number of horses available for quite a big club.

Our club meets every Tuesday at 7.30 in 1 Golf Place (for the freshers: a beautiful pub just next to Old Course, great food, great cocktails, great wine!).

We will be present at the Sports Fayre on Saturday 23rd of September 2006.

Feel free to look around our new website:
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~riding/

Here you can find contact information as well as more about the teams and the club in general. You can also learn more about our fabulous plans for next year which include a club competition for everyone who is or is not in one of the teams!

Hope to see you all in September,

Heiko


ridingclub@st-andrews.ac.uk
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Canoe

Postby cberry on Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:59 pm

I don't know a ton about the Canoe club so had a colleague write this:

"The Canoe Club does provide all equipment for the activities, and they have weekly pool sessions in an indoor heated pool where members can learn strokes and play polo in warm and friendly environment. The club operates through all months of the year even with White water and Surf canoeing. We do offer wetsuits and cags to keep the club members warm and (semi!) dry, and many club members invest in their own dry cag so that they don't become cold! (worth while investment). The surfs pretty good in the winter, and so are the rivers for white water, when your properly clothed its still plenty of fun!!

Take a look at this link for more on the club http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~canoeing/index.php"

-hope this helps,

Chris
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Re:

Postby Pete on Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:39 pm

Hi there,

Yes, kayaks and all the necesary gear is provided.

We do tend to paddle much of the year (even in December!). We have 2 pool sessions a week, which at the beginning are mainly skills sessions. Later on in term we start playing polo (normally thursday nights). There are surf sessions most Wednesday afternoons, and whitewater river trips most weekends.

Take a look at our site, http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~canoeing/ for more information. Look forward to seeing you at one of the trial sessions at the beginning of term.

Quoting from 21:17, 29th Jul 2006
I saw that the canoe club offers polo, surf and whitewater kayaking.

Do they provide kayaks for all of these? And what are the approximate months of the activity? I can't imaging I'd be wanting to surf in December.
Pete
 

Re:

Postby Gladys on Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:39 pm

Are there any clubs that you can join for beginners ? I don't really do any sports so is it okay to join clubs as total beginners and not feel akward?
Gladys
 

Beginners Sport

Postby cberry on Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:15 am

Quoting Gladys from 19:47, 31st Jul 2006
Are there any clubs that you can join for beginners ? I don't really do any sports so is it okay to join clubs as total beginners and not feel akward?


Most clubs do cater for beginners in some way. My own experience is with the Sailing Club, which has regular RYA teaching in specialised training boats. Most clubs have a similar arrangement. Many clubs are also complemented by recreational drop in sport and intra-mural leagues.

The best thing to do is to browse the AU handbook (available online very soon, and available from your halls in freshers week), contact the various club captains,, and to go along to the Sports Fayre in the Union on Saturday 23 September. There you can meet members of the various clubs, who will explain their beginner offerings.

Hope this helps.

Chris
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Re:

Postby starsandsparkles on Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:50 pm

Quoting Gladys from 19:47, 31st Jul 2006
Are there any clubs that you can join for beginners ? I don't really do any sports so is it okay to join clubs as total beginners and not feel akward?


I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure there'll be lots of people in the same boat. :)
starsandsparkles
 

Re:

Postby cberry on Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:06 am

Quoting starsandsparkles from 14:13, 1st Aug 2006
Quoting Gladys from 19:47, 31st Jul 2006
Are there any clubs that you can join for beginners ? I don't really do any sports so is it okay to join clubs as total beginners and not feel akward?


I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure there'll be lots of people in the same boat. :)


There certainly are a lot of people in this situation. Many clubs, especially those in the less traditional sports (ie non-school sports), have beginners as a majority of their membership. University is a great way to expose yourself to new sports in an affordable and easily accessible way.

Keep posting the questions!

Chris
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Costs

Postby DrAlex on Sat Aug 05, 2006 2:40 pm

I'm not exactly a new student, but I still have a question for my elected official. What's changing, if anything, to the AU Sport Centre's pricing structure for members? If I may voice an opinion which I'm sure is widespread, if not the majority, the current system of paying a fee and then paying each time I wish to use the gym is, for lack of a better description, stupid.

If I were asked to make a suggestion, I would ask if it were possible to introduce two pricing structures. One for regular gym users to pay a fee upfront (somewhere in the £30-50 per semester region) for unlimited use of the CV, weight and conditioning rooms, charges applying to gymnasia, tennis courts and fields. Then a second for more occasional and team users where a charge is made on every use of the facilities and perhaps a lesser charge (£5-10) is made upfront for administration.

Hmm?

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POLO

Postby The Polo Club on Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:37 pm

Dear Adam,
We have a very active polo club at St Andrews. We take members who have never even ridden before to those who are handicapped players. We play bike polo on the beach, provide riding and polo lessons with local teachers and enter inter-university competitions. Please come and find us at the sports fair in freshers' week (membership is only £20) and come to our meetings -tuesdays 7pm in Ma Bels.
If you want any more information before then please send an email to poloclub@st-andrews.ac.uk and check out our website - www.standrewspolo.com.
Claudia
Polo Captain
07799644841
The Polo Club
 

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