news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
April 2011
In this issue:
Rowing to Victory Coxed 4s celebrate silver medal p.2
BBC Masterclasses Two BBC presenters visit St John’s p.6
Introducing the UCDWs Feature on the University’s Community Development Workers p.11
Out of the lab and into the frying pan Staff feature: Jo Dyson p.13
Cup Glory Men’s Basketball Team crowned British Universities and Colleges Sport champions for the fifth time. p.4-5
feature
University of Worcester Rowers Triumph ROWERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER ARE CELEBRATING A SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION IN PETERBOROUGH – BRINGING HOME A SILVER MEDAL.
The BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports) Head Race attracted a large number of entries, including the Cambridge boat race crew and back up. The men’s beginner coxed fours managed a fantastic second place out of 38 crews on the first day on the competition, with three other crews from the University finishing 9th, 32nd and 35th. Ashley Richards, Club President, said: “Every member competing in this event also raced in the morning division of men’s beginner coxed eights, with another eight members focusing on the eights. They also achieved excellent results of 7th, 26th and 29th. “These results show just how well the beginner men have progressed this year and how important a solid recruitment process can be.” The beginner women’s coxed four had their first opportunity to shine, finishing a solid 19th, only a few places behind local rivals Birmingham’s top 8+. On the Sunday, the intermediate women’s coxed four powered their way through to a 6th place finish, beating Birmingham’s top intermediate 4+ by 27 seconds. The men’s silver medal crew were given the opportunity to race up into the intermediate level on the Sunday, a distance of 5,000m and finished 14th place of 37. The senior men put in their best race performances, finishing 9th and 21st. Ashley said: “A special thanks to RGS Worcester for generously loaning us their boat trailer and additional boats.” 2 / APRIL 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
COVER STORY wELCOME
welcome W
elcome to the April issue of News & Views, featuring a roundup of news, launches and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester. Congratulations are due to many of our students, staff members and sports teams this month as we celebrate cup titles, winning medals, scholarship prizes and industry nominations. Our feature article in this issue applauds the Men’s Basketball Team who have been crowned British Universities and Colleges
Sport champions for the fifth time in the last seven years. A very impressive record! On page 11, we have a guest article from the University’s Community Development Workers as they explain how they help new students settle into university life. Guest articles are always greatly appreciated as is your everyday news. Please keep in touch by sending your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
STEM NETWORKING EVENT PROVES A SUCCESS Teachers, local companies and students gathered at the University of Worcester to share ideas and expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The Twilight STEM Networking Event was organised by the University’s STEM Support Office to mark the start of National Science and Engineering Week. It offered the opportunity for teachers and STEM Ambassadors to look at the STEM Resources available to local schools and discuss plans to build STEM Enrichment activities into their curriculum. It was also a chance for
trainee teachers to network with those already working in the field. Linda Scott, manager for STEM Support, said: “It was a really successful event. We had more than 40 teachers, ambassadors, local businesses, and students all mixing and talking about ways to encourage STEM activities in schools.” The University of Worcester holds the STEMPOINT contract for Hereford & Worcester, providing brokerage services for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Enhancement & Enrichment.
contents FEATURE Rowers Triumph
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COVER STORY Fifth Time Champions
4
news STEM Networking Event Proves A Success 3 TV Foraging Expert Shows Students Hidden Food Secrets on Campus 6 From the Newsdesk to Lecture Theatre 6 Cyclists Prepare for Charity Trip To Amsterdam 7 Professor of International Children’s Literature Marks World Book Week 7 Mentoring their Peers 8 University’s Director of Basketball Appointed 8 Research Opportunities for Graduates and Students 9 Top Business Award Nomination for Worcester Academic 9 New Journalism Appointment 9 From Worcester to Buton Island 10 Kays Collection 10 Scientist to Serve on the Editorial Board of Prestigious Journal 10 UCDWs 11 Charity Trip to South America 12 World Games Beckon 12 New Scholarship Launched 12
sTAFF FEATURE Out of the Field and into the Kitchen: Jo Dyson
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Fifth time champions The University of Worcester’s Men’s Basketball The team were coached by Paul James, Team has been crowned British Universities and who is also head coach of England Men’s Colleges Sport (BUCS) champions for the fifth time. and BBL side, Worcester Wolves. The Team beat Durham 76-70 in the final of the annual contest to take the title. The championships were held in Sheffield at the end of March. Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “This is an incredible achievement. It is the fifth time in the last seven years that Worcester has now won the basketball championships, a clear demonstration of the talent and commitment of our young players.” 4 / APRIL 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Basketball plays a significant role in the University’s sport-related educational outreach work and has been an integral part of the University’s highly successful Learning Through Sport outreach programme for children. Each year an estimated 100 students apply from around the world for basketball bursaries and scholarships at the University, of which only a handful are awarded.
COVER STORY
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NEWS
BBC Masterclasses Two BBC presenters have been busy on campus teaching Journalism, Graphic Design and Multimedia students some of the tricks of the trade.
TV Foraging Expert Shows Students Hidden Food Secrets of the University Campus
BBC Autumnwatch’s foraging expert Andy Hamilton gave a talk to students on curious plants that can be found on the University of Worcester’s campus and their many uses. Mr Hamilton, author of The Self Sufficientish Bible, is a recognised expert in the area of wild foods and self sufficiency and, as well as his TV and book work, is also a contributor to the Guardian blog and magazines including, BBC’s Countryfile and Home Farmer. He was invited to talk to final year students on the Children’s Book Design module of the Graphic Design and Multimedia course, who have been set the task of designing elements of a children’s book devised to introduce children to the edible flora that can be found growing wild in the UK. “I’d just finished work on my second book about foraging and gardening for ingredients to make home brew, a book called Booze For
Free, which is out this autumn,” Mr Hamilton said. “I’ve never worked with university students before and the module idea really interested me so I jumped at the chance. It was a great experience for me as it’s easy to forget how much useful knowledge I have accumulated not just of wild plants but in the book world. “It was a real pleasure to share this with such eager students. I was blown away by how great their work was and could easily imagine working with many of them on future projects.” The module was developed by design lecturer Ali Stevenson, an ex Ladybird Books designer. She said: “Many of the plants identified on campus by Andy have traditionally been used for a range of uses including wild foods and medicinal properties. It was a great opportunity for the students to see these
Foraging in St John’s. Andy Hamilton lends his expert advice to students studying the Children’s Book Design module.
plants identified and hear how Andy himself puts across the subject in the many wild food and foraging workshops he runs around the country. “Andy’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject of foraging and his visit to the University have been extremely beneficial to the students, giving them a unique insight into the subject of foraging that they can now translate into their final solutions to the brief.” The students will now continue to develop their ideas - eventually ending up with working prototype book covers and sample inner spreads. The skills and techniques delivered on this module will then equip the students with a very broad range of graphic design abilities allowing them a possible inroad to the growing industry of children’s publishing.
From newsdesk to lecture theatre S
tudents studying journalism at the University of Worcester have enjoyed a series of masterclasses in television reporting from a well-known face from BBC Midlands Today.
experience in our line of work, so if I can help the journalists of the future by sharing some of what I’ve learned over the years, then that’s great.”
Giles Latcham, who is a presenter and reporter on the regional news programme, has given a series of lectures to students from each year group.
Rachel Ammonds, lecturer in journalism at Worcester said: “It’s important for students to speak to and learn from a professional like Giles, who is reporting on air on a daily basis. It gives them a real sense of what being a broadcast journalist is really like, and what they could do in the future.”
He drew on his own experience as he talked about developing stories for broadcast and expanding bulletin pieces into longer programme items. “I’m delighted to be involved with the journalism students at Worcester,” commented Giles. “There’s no substitute for practical
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Giles Latcham (centre) with Journalism students
NEWS
Cyclists Prepare for Charity Trip to Amsterdam A
charity cycling team from the University of Worcester has been given a boost from a local firm.
The Green Bike Company in St John’s has donated a £700 bicycle to Liam Hughes, one of four members of Worcester Students’ Union who will be completing a 450 mile journey from Worcester to Amsterdam this summer. Ian Moseley, from the Bromyard Road based company, said: “Liam came to us having never really cycled before. We soon had him on a shiny new Merida road bike pedalling through the streets - even if he did complain that the saddle was too hard. “We are always keen to support charity events and wish Liam and the lads every success with this trip.” Liam and co-Vice President of the Students’ Union, Sam Lewis, will be joined by University of Worcester students Fraser Carter and Matt Shepherd for the fundraising cycle ride. Liam said: “I am so grateful to Ian and The Green Bike Company for donating this high quality bike.” The four will leave Worcester on May 23, cycling around 70 miles a day for seven days, in aid of the University’s Charity of the Year, Worcester Snoezelen, a small independent charity that offers people with severe learning disabilities an environment they can explore through sight, hearing, smell or touch. Ian Moseley with SU President, Liam Hughes Liam, Vice President Sports & Societies, said: “We wanted to do something to raise money for charity and chose Worcester Snoezelen because it is such a worthwhile cause. The money we raise could make a real impact to its users.”
The four will be accompanied on the trip by Sports Therapy students from the University, who will be giving massages at the end of each day. Liam said: “We are hoping to raise about £5,000 over all, but if we can go over that it would be fantastic. We are also asking if any businesses or members of the public are willing to donate small prizes that will be raffled off and are selling sponsorship to businesses on jerseys. To donate to the cycling challenge visit http://www.justgiving.com/Snoezelen-Cycle. If you are interested in providing sponsorship or getting involved in any other way please contact Liam Hughes at liam.hughes@worc.ac.uk
A Professor of International Children’s Literature spends time with pupils at a Worcester school to mark World Book Week
P
rofessor Jean Webb recently gave a talk to almost 200 pupils at Bishope Perowne College, on ‘English Children’s Literature and War’. The talk included story book heroes of the 19th century to Michael Morpurgo’s Shadow, which is a contemporary outcry against war and the treatment of asylum seekers.
Professor Jean Webb with students from Bishope Perowne College
The second session was a workshop with 30 Year 8 students on the range of subjects covered internationally in picture books. The students also created mini storyboards for their own picture books. The sessions were very well received. John Plant, Assistant Head and Subject Leader for Drama, said: “It was absolutely fascinating and has definitely made me rethink the way I view, and tend I think to categorise, children’s literature.”
In other news... Prof Jean Webb has been invited to join the team for the British Academy funded research project, ‘Reading Fictions: how representations of books and readers in children’s literature reflect perceptions of the power and purpose of literacy’ which is being headed by Dr Evelyn Arzipe, the University of Glasgow.
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NEWS
New Scheme at Worcester Sees
Nursing students at the University of Worcester are being mentored by their peers as part of a new scheme. Second year students are assisting first years with their clinical skills and academic work, in a bid to give them more confidence and help them to learn. The idea was initiated by second year nursing student Emily Hastings. “The scheme assists first year students in not only clinical skills but to provide guidance and support for both academic work and clinical placements, allowing them the opportunity to discuss apprehensions and worries with us,” she said. “I felt that this would be a benefit to the students in their ongoing learning and receiving support from other students who have recently been in their position.” Emily said she felt she would have benefited from having a student mentor in the early days of the course and so suggested the idea to staff. Tracey Valler-Jones, Academic Lead for Skills and Simulation in the Institute of Health
and Society, said: “The second year students come in to assist the lecturers during skills sessions and mentor the first year students, helping them to learn and providing advice and guidance. “First years have commented that their confidence with skills has increased as a result of the support they receive.” She added: “This not only helps the first year students, but also helps those second year
students, who are acting as skills ambassadors, to gain more confidence in what they do. “Due to the success of this venture, we are planning to extend this to other cohorts.” Emily added: “The experience is an excellent learning opportunity for ourselves in terms of leadership and teaching skills as well as acting as further support and guidance to other students.”
England and Wolves Basketball Coach APPOINTED UNIVERSITY’S DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL England Men’s and Worcester Wolves basketball coach Paul James has been appointed Director of Basketball at the University of Worcester. Paul, one of the most successful coaches the British Basketball League has ever seen, will remain head coach of both the regional and national teams when he takes up his new position. His new role will involve further developing the University’s strong reputation in basketball at both professional and community level.
Paul said. “I have worked closely with the University for more than a year now during my time with Worcester Wolves and have seen and been a part of the many excellent programmes already in place. My role now is to cement the University’s standing as a Centre for Excellence in basketball.”
Paul James
Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “There were some very strong candidates from all over the world for the position, but we are delighted to have appointed Paul. As we work towards creating a Centre of Excellence for Basketball in Higher Education, the appointment of Paul James certainly strengthens our vision to develop coaches, players and volunteers at all levels.”
Roger Clarke, Managing Director of Worcester Wolves Basketball Club, added: “We are thrilled that Paul has secured the post with the University as the Director of Basketball. We have been pleased with the way that he deals with our BBL players and it is reassuring that he will be able to support University players who are also involved in or have aspirations to be a part of the Wolves programme. It is a real positive for the partnership.”
Paul has been head coach at Worcester Wolves since December 2009 and was appointed England Men’s coach shortly afterwards.
Significantly the University is due to host the World Ranked Lithuanian National Team in their preparations for the 2012 Olympics.
“I’m delighted to be appointed Director of Basketball at the University,”
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NEWS
University Offers Research Opportunities for Graduates and Students
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tudents and graduates interested in research are being offered the chance of a paid placement this summer.
The University of Worcester is offering six successful candidates a Research Assistantship. These Assistantships will provide undergraduates and recent graduates with “hands on” experience of working on a research project over the summer vacation, enabling them to gain insight into a research career, as well as enhancing their CV. Each Assistantship will last 4-10 weeks, during July to October. The research assistants will work alongside a member of staff, engaging in tasks such as conducting experiments, archival work and compiling databases. The assistants will receive up to a £1,000 payment for their work. The assistantships will be advertised to students in April 2011 with a closing date in June 2011. The scheme is one of the many ways in which the University is helping students to earn while they learn. Other schemes include the SPEED WM scheme, helping young entrepreneurs to start their own business, and Worcester Ideas Network, a way for students to communicate and share ideas with students from other universities. The positions are available to any student in their penultimate or final year of undergraduate study at the University or any graduate who is about to commence postgraduate study in Worcester. This scheme will also enable University of Worcester staff to progress a research project of their choice. The University of Worcester is growing rapidly in popularity and now has the highest graduate employment rate for any university in the West Midlands and the sixth best in England.
NEW JOURNALISM APPOINTMENT
Top Business Award Nomination for Worcester Academic
T
he head of the University of Worcester’s Business School has been nominated for a prestigious award. Mark Richardson was narrowly pipped at the post for Public Sector/Third Sector Director of the Year Award at the West Midlands Institute of Directors (IoD) annual awards.
The West Midlands region of the IoD is made up over 3,200 directors and senior business leaders. The awards aim to seek out excellence, enterprise and the best of regional business in seven categories. Mark said: “We have been working hard to position Worcester Business School at the heart of the business community. This nomination reflects the extent to which this integration with business has been achieved.” Since Mark’s appointment as Head of Worcester Business School in 2006, the School has developed an attractive portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate and professional development courses, and established excellent links with business – locally and nationally. The portfolio of courses has continued to evolve to maximise market attractiveness, optimise student performance and enhance the employability of graduates. As a result of these developments, student numbers have increased by over 150%. Professor David Green, University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, said: “The University is very proud that Mark has been nominated for this award. It is a clear reflection of his hard work in developing the Business School into a thriving centre that benefits not only our students but the local business community. “The University’s Business School is becoming steadily more successful. There is a great deal of positive work being done with businesses in the City and the region. The University will ensure that these excellent developments, highlighted by this award, continue.”
Broadcast journalist Rachel Ammonds has become a full-time member of the teaching staff in the journalism department at the University of Worcester.
radio, as both reporter and producer. She has also worked as an undercover reporter during investigations, the tapes of which cause much amusement when shown in class!
Rachel Ammonds
Rachel, an experienced TV and radio reporter, “I’m delighted to be at the University of Worcester full-time,” commented Rachel, producer and director, is already a familiar who joins as a Senior Lecturer. “With the face to students, having taught on the journalism course for the past few years, on a single honours degree starting up, it’s a really exciting time for the journalism course and the visiting lecturer basis. students involved. During her career as a journalist, Rachel has been a producer / director concentrating on “We offer a strong, varied course and aim to current affairs documentaries, including ITV’s make the experience for students enjoyable, informative and interesting , and, most Tonight with Trevor McDonald programme. importantly, set them up well for a career She has also worked extensively in BBC and within journalism.” independent newsrooms, in television and
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NEWS
From Worcester to Buton Island An Ecology student from University of Worcester is travelling to Indonesia in June to take part in a research programme. Annalea White, 23, from Harman’s Cross in Dorset, is heading to the Buton Island where she will be based in a forest node camp assisting the Biodiversity Monitoring Team’s research. She is hoping to study the rare bird species on the island after finishing her degree this year. “I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s a bit scary going by myself and having to fly to and from the island alone but the company is really supportive and will help me out.” Annalea will be travelling with Operation Wallacea, a company operating biological and conservation research projects all over the world. The company visited the University earlier this year, when Annalea heard about the project. “I’ve always wanted to go travelling and when this came up it was the perfect opportunity,” she said. The University of Worcester Scholarship Scheme has awarded
Annalea £800 towards her travel costs. The remainder of the money Annalea has fundraised by holding cake sales, selling raffle tickets and contacting other companies for sponsorship. Annalea hopes to land a job in Ecology or complete more volunteer work after she graduates this year. Two other University of Worcester Students will also be joining Operation Wallacea on separate projects this year. The University of Annalea White Worcester’s Scholarship Panel awards grants of up to £1,000 to help cover the cost of voluntary work, course related activities and expeditions.
Exciting Project Opens Up History of Worcester’s Retail Past
A
n exciting new project to record and make available the history of one of Worcester’s best known companies is starting at the University of Worcester. ‘Cataloguing Kays’ is a community and higher education project which will create a community web-archive of memories and photographs around a series of digitised images of clothing taken from 100 years of Kays Catalogues. The project has received a £55,500 grant from JISC, an organisation which inspires UK colleges and universities in the innovative use of digital technologies. The digital archive, to be created by a team from the University and the George Marshall Medical Museum, will focus on fashion and body image. It will give members of
the public a chance to view photographs of the collection of catalogues as well as the opportunity to upload their own photographs, stories and opinions of Kays Catalogue.
shopping through the catalogues. This project aims to bring together those memories in one place.”
Kay & Co Ltd began in the 1890s in Worcester and was situated in the City for over 100 years. Kays Catalogue contained contemporary fashions, household items and luxury goods. It was Worcester’s biggest employer until it relocated to Liverpool in 2007. The original Kays buildings are now being converted or demolished.
The Kays Collection is currently housed at the University of Worcester. Contained in the collection is almost a full set of mail order catalogues, photographs, company accounts, ledgers, reports and minutes from boardroom meetings.
Catriona Smellie, Curator of the George Marshal Medical Museum, said: “Kays was a hugely important part of Worcester’s history and many people in the City, and beyond, will have memories of either working there, or
Until the website is launched, members of the public can find out more about the Kays project and how to get involved on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Cataloguing-Kays/101616789920593
University scientist to serve on the editorial board of a prestigious journal Dr Mahmut Tor, from the University’s National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU), has been asked to join the Review Editorial Board of Frontiers in PlantMicrobe Interactions, a specialist journal in plant sciences. As a Review Editor, Dr Tor will ensure the validity, accuracy and good quality of the Journal. Dr Mahmut Tor
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Frontiers is an academic publication designed by scientists for scientists. It was launched in November 2007 and became one of the largest neuroscience publishers. Its success led to an expansion in other fields, recently in plant science. Frontiers in Plant-Microbe Interaction is a specialism of this new journal. Dr Mahmut Tor is a molecular geneticist, who specialises on molecular plant-microbe interactions, as well as being a senior lecturer at the University of Worcester. He carries out laboratory research on plant and pathogen interactions and collaborates with peer reviewed scientific journals.
FEATURE
University Community Development Workers The University’s Community Development Workers (UCDWs), explain their roles, helping students settle in to university life. We are a team of 4, easily UCDW’s: L-R: Siobhan Perry, Faye Matthews, Jemma Powell and Robyn Andrews identifiable by our lilac t-shirts, card decorating competitions, and most who are part of the Student Experience Team recently a charity book sale held in main in Student Services. Two of the UCDWs are reception, raising £103.20 for Worcester currently studying towards a Postgraduate Snoezelen. We are currently planning a certificate in Applied Management as spring fete to be held in early May so keep part of the internship scheme, which your eyes peeled for further information! the other two completed last year and The UCDWs are also the first point of contact are now full-time members of staff. for students who may be facing problems Our job is to provide first hand support and during their time living in halls of residence. guidance to all first year students and those This could be anything from homesickness, living in university managed accommodation, flat disputes, or wellbeing issues, to simply as well as to foster a community spirit having a chat about their student experience. between the halls of residence by hosting UCDWs offer students a listening ear, suggest different events and campaigns. Each month ways of resolving these issues or referring we hold a competitive, interhall event called them to other appropriate members of staff. ‘The Community Spirit Games’. Points are Throughout the year we put on educational won for halls and at the end of the year, the campaigns to raise awareness of a variety of hall with the most points is crowned ‘Hall issues that students today may face. These of the Year’. We most recently organised include alcohol and drugs awareness days, a pool tournament in collaboration with sexual health, healthy eating, personal safety The Dive where many students battled it and fire safety to name a few. We are also out to win a £50 cash prize, kindly donated able to conduct Chlamydia testing, and in by The Dive. In addition, we frequently run October last year we were “the best non events in which both students and staff NHS provider” for testing in Worcestershire. can take part; past events include cake and
Bullying Sucks campaign
Pool Tournament
Each month we provide students in halls with ‘The Worcester Source’, a newsletter created and edited by the UCDWs. It includes campus notices, up-coming event information, a problem page, competition winner’s gallery, a quiz page and much more. We have a team mascot, Larry the Finger, who stars in a cartoon strip every issue. Larry represents a first year student living in halls, who faces a different dilemma each month. The best thing about being a UCDW is how varied and stimulating each day is. We also pride ourselves in working purposefully to enhance and improve the student experience, thus aiding retention levels. Knowing we can make a different to students’ lives during their time here at the University is our primary motive. The UCDWs are available from 10am – 9pm Monday to Friday and welcome students contacting them via text, phone or email (07811 458 754/ ucdw@worc. ac.uk) about anything they wish to talk about. We are also available for students to drop-in our office, Woodbury room 73.
Friday Night Activities
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NEWS
PhD Student Embarks on Charity Trip to South America
A
PhD student from the University of Worcester will be embarking on a five week voluntary trip to South America this summer.
Thirty-one-year-old Marie Dunnion, from Kings Heath, Birmingham, will spend three weeks in July and August with the Equine Therapy Project in Ecuador and two weeks at an Animal Rescue Centre in the Amazon Rainforest as a volunteer. The programs will involve working with children and animals. She said: “I think it is incredibly enriching to spend time with animals and children. The whole trip is unbelievably exciting.” The Equine Therapy project is a horse rehabilitation centre for disabled children. The placement will involve looking after the horses, helping others to learn to ride and assisting with disabled children’s interaction with the horses. The second placement will involve a six hour bus journey to the Amazon rainforest to help with animals that have been rescued from trafficking. The University of Worcester Scholarship Panel has awarded Marie
£500 towards the expedition. This will contribute towards travel and accommodation costs. Marie, a psychology graduate who is currently researching unethical work behaviour, is also part of the Universityrun SPEED WM project, a service assisting students to set up their own business whilst still in education. Marie’s company Emerald City Healing incorporates crystal therapy, reiki and animal Marie Dunnion healing, Marie’s biggest passion. Last summer Marie spent a month in Sri Lanka with the Millennium Elephant Foundation. She said: “I enjoyed it so much I wanted to do it again. I’ve really got a flavour for it now. It feels unreal when you get there and I cannot wait to go travelling again. This time I hope I practice my animal healing skills.”
WORLD GAMES BECKON FOR UNIVERSITY STAFF AND GRADUATES
New Scholarship FOR Visually Impaired Footballer
Staff and graduates from the University of Worcester will be flying out to Turkey next month for the International Blind Sport Association (IBSA) World Games.
A unique scholarship is being offered for a visually impaired footballer wanting to study at university.
David Mycock, a Sports Coaching Science Lecturer at the University, is a coach for the England and GB Blind Football team, and players include Will Norman, Widening Participation Officer at the University, and former students Lewis Skyers and Keryn Seal. The squad will be hoping to improve on their performance at last year’s World Championships, in which they finished fourth, losing out to the eventual winners, Brazil, at the semi-final stage and China in the third place play-off. “We have a good team and have been training hard so I’m sure we can do well in Turkey,” David said. “Following this GB Blind Football squd contest we then have the European Championships in July. Then next year the Great Britain squad will be playing at the Paralympic Games in London.” The World Games run from April 1-10 in Antalya, Turkey. The University has a strong history of supporting Blind Football. David Mycock and fellow lecturer Glyn Harding have helped develop the sport both regionally and nationally since 2006. David said: “University of Worcester Blind Football Club was established in 2006. Since its inception, Worcester has been League Champions in two out of the three years. The University has also been inspirational in developing a European Blind Football Network with partnership colleagues and teams from Czech Republic, Greece and Germany.”
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The University of Worcester is launching a new Visually Impaired Football Scholarship aimed at assisting an undergraduate student to play blind football at international level. The scholarship will cover tuition fees for a full three year degree course in any subject. The successful candidate must have a high academic profile and continue this throughout the course of study as well as maintaining high sporting achievement. The University of Worcester has a unique reputation within the world of blind football with many graduates playing at international level. David Mycock, Sports Coaching Science lecturer, has also been recently appointed as coach for the Great Britain National Blind Football team in the run up to the 2012 Paralympic Games. Mr Mycock said: “In order to sustain this unique relationship between visually impaired sport and Higher Education, the University of Worcester has endowed an annual scholarship which will be awarded to an undergraduate student with a sufficient academic profile and who is eligible to represent Great Britain at national and international levels within the sport of blind football. The scholarship will provide a legacy to the IBSA World Blind Football Championships.” The University already offers a number of Sports Scholarships to talented players, in hockey, basketball and cricket, working in partnership with local professional clubs.
COVER STAFFSTORY FEATURE
This month we delve into the culinary world of GIS and Mapping Technician Jo Dyson, from the Institute of Science and the Environment.
Out of the Field and Into the Kitchen: Jo started her blog (http://joskitchen. wordpress.com) two years ago and it has slowly gathered momentum, now attracting more than 3,800 visitors.
Learning to cook as a student can be a bit of a chore. Many students end up living on fast food or takeaways. But Jo Dyson found her flair and ignited a new passion for food. Now she has her own blog, which attracts in excess of 3,800 readers, and has undertaken the Masterchef Experience at the BBC’s Good Food Show twice. “I started cooking probably at about the age of 13 or 14,” said Jo. “My mum did a lot of charity events so I would cook for myself. Then when I went to university, I spent most of my time watching food programmes on TV and having a go at different things. I started with simple stuff, and now I still like to cook easy food that tastes good.” Jo, who says she enjoys Jamie Oliver’s simple and no nonsense approach to food, began writing down her favourite recipes and stumbled across the idea of blogging. “I was a little bit late at starting the whole social networking thing,” she said. “I started on Twitter and reading other blogs and then thought maybe I could start my own. “I didn’t tell anyone about it at first, not even my family, as I thought they might think it was a bit silly, but now I’m really proud of how well it’s going.”
As well as sharing recipes and cooking tips, Jo writes about places she has eaten out and also carries out product reviews. “Now that I am fairly well established I get companies contacting me offering me their products to review,” she said. “But I don’t want the blog to be all about products, its about the whole food experience.” In June last year Jo was invited to take part in the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham. She bravely undertook the Masterchef Invention test where, in front of a large crowd of spectators, she had to devise and cook a meal using set ingredients, unveiled just two minutes before the challenge started. “It was tough to quickly think what meal to cook and then get on with doing it in just 30 minutes, plus with all those people watching,” she said. “But I really enjoyed it. Sadly I didn’t make it into the final, but it was a great experience.” Jo said she loves to cook curries, chillis, and anything that can be made in one pot! As well as cooking, Jo has a passion for F1, having spent her childhood helping her dad fix cars and watching motor racing.
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories s.jones@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER / APRIL2009 2011 / 13