This week we caught up with Kiri Madhani, who had just come from a training session of Ultimate Frisbee! Kiri is one of six candidates running for Sports officer to replace Tom Hicks (who gives you kicks!).
Profile
Subject: Psychology
Year: 3
Previous Roles: IMS Chair (oversees all hall and society sport, working closely with Tom Hicks and chairing the Sports Exec).
Women’s Football 2nd Team Vice Captain
Sports: Before University: Netball, Hockey, Tennis
At University: Goalkeeper for Women’s Football, IMS Netball
What makes Sport such an important part of University?
Without sport, I would not have the network of friends I do at university. University is not all about getting a degree! Joining a team often helps you meet like-minded people…if you’re at all interested in one sport, whether it be playing or watching, then that’s a start! Taking part in a sport opens up so many opportunities, I have played and travelled to other Universities, been given roles of responsibility and enjoyed countless socials and a week abroad on tour.
It’s so important for Freshers to get involved in sports; I want to work harder to give them a platform which will encourage them to get involved. I want to introduce the idea of ‘Cluster Reps’, these will act like week one ‘sports’ reps alongside other JCR Sports Secs and IMS officers. The Cluster Reps will be trained to know about IMS, NU2 and BUCs. The idea being that they will be someone that the Freshers can go to with questions about sport at Nottingham – for example, they have missed a taster session – the Cluster Rep will know who to contact to get more training times.
Do you have any advice for Students thinking about starting a sport?
Try anything and everything. If you’ve never heard of it, go to a taster session – all BUCs squads will have opportunities for you to try the sport. If you’re unsure, or have missed something, don’t leave it and miss out, contact someone! Sports Execs and Sports Development staff are all there to help you, and hopefully the soon to be ‘Cluster Reps’.
I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting various students taking part in a wide range of sports. There is so much to choose from; don’t let the opportunity to enter into the University’s thriving sport culture go to waste!
Why have you decided to run for the role of Sports Officer?
There are three main reasons I felt that I needed to run for the role. Firstly, I love sport! It’s enhanced my university experience and I want to be able to contribute and help others enjoy the same experience. Currently there are 2,500 people a week that play sport at Nottingham, yet there are 34,000 students. I’d love to be able to shorten this gap!
I’ve spent the last year volunteering with the SU and it’s been such a good year! I have learnt so much about the structure of sport, collaborating with Tom Hicks and the University staff, who have shown me how much has changed and how to go on changing things. There is so much to be achieved, and I want to further my involvement and be a part of it.
I would love to represent the university in a position of responsibility because I feel like I have the expertise and knowledge to do so. I have so much enthusiasm and so many ideas that I want to implement.
Final Words?
It is easy to criticise the University sports structure with regards to funding and facility, but we actually have such a good set up at Nottingham with arguably the biggest IMS programme in the country! We’re currently top 5 in BUCS and we should be striving to utilize what we’ve got to be the best!’
Voting is now open! Check out Kiri’s Manifesto here and check out her campaign page here!
Edited by Sam Carey