8 minute read
TAKE A DIP
FANCY A BIT OF FENCING? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Photo by: Pexels- Pixabay
Reading University Swimming Club started the new year in the best way possible, with an amazing social.
The theme was white T-shirt, so the team grabbed their sharpies and started the night by decorating each other’s shirts. The aim was to fill up your t-shirt with the most writing before heading into town. The turnout was one of our best yet, so thank you to everyone that came.
“The theme was white
T-shirt, so the team
grabbed thier sharpies
and started the night
by decorating each
other’s shirts.”
After the re-fresher’s fair at the start of term the club held the give-it-a-go session where we welcomed many new potential members to the pool, which allowed them to get an insight into what our club is all about.
At the end of January, we will have a joint social with mixed hockey, again with a great theme of traffic lights, where a you wear a colour best matching your relationship status, after the great success of the first social, this one will be equally a night to remember.
If you are worried that you have missed our first socials of the term or are a new face that is keen to get involved in swimming, we have another social on the 5th of February, the theme is yet to be announced so keep your eyes peeled on our social media pages. is definitely a gala to look forward too.
Looking to the near future, the competitive team are competing again in Sheffield, at the BUCS Long Course Championships, in February. We have many swimmers competing in team relays and in their individual events, so
“The competitive team
are competing again
in Sheffield, at the
BUCS Long Course
Championships in
Fberuary.”
The team are training hard and getting their hours in to be best prepared for the upcoming event. We have many training times to suit your busy university life, we swim twice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the morning and the evening, and once on Friday in the evening.
Membership prices vary, you can pay annually and just for a term. The annual price for a student is £95.15 and the termly membership is £60.15.
If you are interested in joining our sociable and fun club then please follow us on Instagram or Facebook and get in touch!
Photo by: 9091 Images / Pixabay
On the other end of the spectrum we have Amelia McCormack, a former GB representative in épée, who has gone on to help coach and captain the women’s team this year bringing her wealth of knowledge to the club – and her well known plyometric warm ups!
As president I couldn’t have hoped for any better than the members, I have been delighted to revive this year with a mix of new and returning members, and they have helped me continue my 13 years of fencing and exercise and my love of organising people. I have been lucky enough to take my fencing to a new level with the help of the club taking part in Welsh National competitions along- Photo by: Amelia McCormack
side my fellow club members, making the fear of competing a much more fun and less intimidating experience.
So, if you’re interested in a new sport
FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE: DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER
Ian Downey | Part 1 MA English
The final trimester of this Premier League campaign is finally upon us, and for most Fantasy Managers, it comes with great pain. Our journey has survived some perilous times, especially in recent months. In the East Midlands, a party had well and truly started at Jamie Vardy’s house, but was drawn to an early conclusion as he left to witness the birth of his child, missing two full games (Right, Vards, nothing to do with Skittles Vodka…).
Then, on one crisp Winter morn, hundreds of thousands of managers, all at once, had an epiphany; “Liverpool Double Gameweek? That can only mean one thing… Mané Triple Captain!”, and the finale to that tale
“Our journey has
survived some perilous
times, especially in
recent months”
given a piggyback ride to a single person in the past and found it quite difficult; I don’t even want to imagine the state of my vertebrae after 22 people.
“Let us dilute the
despondency for a
moment and focus on
the fruitful facets this
season has offered”
Let us dilute the despondency for a moment and focus on the fruitful facets this season has offered. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the success story us neutrals could only have wished for, acting as an extra midfielder in that Liverpool side that eat, sleep and breathe goals. He has transcended the potential that even Scouse intransigents bore him, smashing the ceiling with confidence. He’ll assist worldies, he’ll assist tap-ins. He’ll even assist your Nan crossing the road. Photo by Edoardo Busti on Unsplash
money. This FPL veteran should be a season-stayer in any team once he remains uninjured, and will be one of the first names in my squad next season.
And it would be remiss of me to leave out the exploits of Jimenéz and Traoré. They have hunted down ball after ball like wolves (heh), and this has reflected in their points tally. Both players are top of their pack in value for money, consistently providing returns to their managers.
“On the topic of
assists- death, taxes,
and Kevin De Bruyne.
This man has a
propensity for picking
out his teammates in
the box, and he does so
with regularity”
Charlotte Abraham | Part 4 BA Art and Psychology Reading University Pole Fitness Society held their second annual charity pole-a-thon at the end of November last year in aid of No 5 Youth Counselling and Information Service. No 5 are a local charity in Reading who provide free counselling services to those with mental health crises, aged between 11 and 25.
All their counsellors are volunteers, and they offer guidance and information for all who feel like they are struggling. This service is offered to all those who live, work or study in Reading and the surrounding area. No 5 is a charity with a cause that sits close to our hearts in RUPFS, and around the University, because looking after your mental health and gaining correct support is so important in the day-to-day lives of all.
Now a couple of months on, we would like to reminisce on our achievements of the day! The pole-a-thon was 4 hours that contained workshops, run by Brooke Ashley from Reading Pole Arts, and free time for members and non-members. We had our usual poles and even a hoop (which was a favourite) for all to experience. Over 50 people including family, friends, housemates and neighbours experienced the fun and enjoyment of pole fitness – all while raising money for a fantastic local charity! People who had never tried pole before were leaving with smiles on their faces after being in such a fun-filled and friendly environment. Carly, a representative from No 5 came along on the day to show their support for the pole-a-thon.
In total from this single pole-a-thon event, we raised an amazing £868.28 for No 5 Youth Counselling and Information Service! This could not have been done without the 50+ raffle prize donations from local and national businesses, donations from the public and our members, and of course from raffle ticket sales.
Photo by: Reading University Pole Fitness Society Congratulations to all those who one a fabulous prize too. Here at RUPFS, we were grateful for the generosity of those around us. We cannot wait to hit our goal of raising over £1000 for No 5 over the coming months through other fun and exciting events!
Parkour Society
Richard Bowen | Part 3 Psychology Do you enjoy running and jumping about the place? Want a fun and welcoming society in which to learn this new action sport? Just a fan of Michael Scott from the US Office? Then our society is perfect for you!
Parkour is an action sport that focuses on moving as quickly as possible across an urban environment by utilising various moves such as vaults, rolling and kickass flips.
A new society this year, we offer a safe and welcoming environment in which to train and learn new parkour moves. Our sessions are held every Wednesday and Friday at 2pm in Sol Joel Parkour Park and are open to all, regardless of prior skill level. Just come along for a bounce and give it a go. Shouting ‘parkour’ as you do it is optional but encouraged. We’ve got lots of upcoming events planned, including a number of charity events and non-alcoholic socials for those that way inclined. Still not convinced?! What if I told you we were also the cheapest sports society the university has to offer? That’s right, for the low, low price of £5 sterling (£7 for non-students) you can join our society for a full year!
So, what are you waiting for? Come along and learn some new things? If you’d like any further information, consider checking out our social medias; @ReadingUniParkour on Facebook and @readinguniparkour on Instagram.
is one of woe and suffering, so I will be sure to tread lightly as to deter any possible anguish.
What about the unfortunate Rashford, whose titanium spine eventually fractured under the immense weight of the Manchester United squad. I’ve On the topic of assists – death, taxes, and Kevin De Bruyne. This man has a propensity for picking out his teammates in the box, and he does so with regularity. I hereby propose that someone creates the long-anticipated sequelBend It Like Kevin, ‘cos he’s really giving Becks a run for his As we reflect over this somewhat arduous period, it’s easy to get lost in the moment. But don’t fret – bad decisions and hapless times will befall most, if not all, managers. Just keep smiling as those inevitable words roll off your tongue; “Hey, there’s always next year”.
