Kick-Off For Griffith Sport Welcomes One And All

Hannah Sbeghen, our Social Media reporter shines the light on what Sport at Griffith is all about (whilst taking advantage of a free barbecue).

Crowds of students gathered at the Nathan campus on Friday 6 March as Griffith Sport officially launched its 2015 sporting year with a free barbecue.

Griffith Sports Kick Off 2015 offered students social footy, a free feed and the opportunity to sign up for their favourite social  sports for a big year of fun.

Griffith Sport is one of Australia’s leading university sports communities and boasts a growing social media presence with more than 3,000 fans on Facebook.

Griffith Sport ambassador and fourth-year student Michael Solomon, better known as Big Mike, said the launch is about showcasing the many sports on offer.

“We have a variety of sports from badminton, frisbee, touch football, volleyball, netball, softball among others,” Michael said.

Michael plays mixed netball for Griffith Sport, said students could choose between social sports and competitive club sports. Prices are affordable.

“For outside netball competitions you pay $300 to $400, but here you only pay $65 for the season and that includes around 10 games or more if team makes the finals,” Michael said.

Uni Games on the horizon…

Michael also championed opportunities available for students to compete in the University Games.

“There are two divisions, namely the Northern University Games and the Australian University Games,” he said. “The Northern competition takes place earlier in the year and is a local Queensland event, so you can take as many teams as you want. This can mean between 2000-3000 students.

“However, you have to qualify for most of the sports in the Aussie Games, which attracts around 8000 student competitors.”

 Promoting sport and success at Uni

Griffith Sport development and recreation manager, Ms Natalee Black, said Griffith Sport Kicks Off 2015 introduced sporting options to as many students as possible.

“Our promotions during O Week were a bit rushed so this launch was about setting up a more social environment and showing everyone what we do,” Natalee said.

“We really want to target people in their first year, even those who aren’t particularly sporty. It’s all about making friends and being engaged on campus.”

Natalee’s theory is that students who join sporting teams are more likely to be successful at university.

“We find that when first years come to uni they’re often alone and don’t know anyone,” she said.

“Our theory is, if they make some good friends they then tend to enjoy themselves more on campus and as part of university life. They’ll feel more positive and the chances of them continuing to attend classes are much greater.”

Griffith Rugby League Dragon’s club secretary, second-year student Michelle Lancaster, said Griffith Sport offers great opportunities to get involved and meet people.

“I don’t play rugby but I got the chance be secretary through being good friends with the Dragons president. I used to be water girl and in charge of the kicking tee. I pretty much started from the bottom,” Michelle said.

“I live on campus and found out about Griffith sport through the sports head on the residential committee.   They asked us to put our name down as an expression of interest and I’m very glad I did. I’ve made some really good friends.” She said.

Awareness and support

Meanwhile, Dragons president Aimee Wildman was at the launch to let everyone know about the team and to build support.

“Rugby league is a competitive sport and we are part of the Queensland universities competition,” Aimee said. “We play other universities like UQ, as well as teams such as the Griffith Gold Coast Panthers and the Logan Redbacks.

“I look after a whole team of boys and, despite what they say about girls being complicated, I can tell you that boys are definitely complicated themselves.

“But they are my boys and they are my team.”

For more information on how to get involved in Griffith Social Sport visit http://www.griffith.edu.au/sport/play-sport/social-sport or for more information about University Games check out http://www.griffith.edu.au/sport/play-sport/university-games