GUBC 85-72 Rocks

Joe Mclean

Glasgow University’s men’s basketball team had to chip away at Glasgow Rocks to overcome them in this semi-final, played on their home turf at the Stevenson Building.

From the tip-off Glasgow’s foundations were shaken by the power and pace of the Rocks. Within a matter of minutes they found themselves five points behind and they seemed shocked by this. Glasgow genuinely thought this game would be easier than it was — they started with an air of self-assurance and self-confidence that was soon knocked out of them.

Glasgow clawed some points back in the first quarter thanks to some great play from team captain Astromskas, who instigated the fight back and set up Mraz and Janutenas for a much needed four points.

Astromskas was instrumental in Glasgow’s build-up play throughout the quarter and they have him to thank for keeping them in the game. It was a quarter of missed chances for Glasgow — they created enough but were just not converting them, as they missed hoop after hoop — an example being when Kalnietis failed to score any points from the two free throws he received after a foul.

The Rocks punished any slack play from Glasgow and continued to pose a threat. But to Glasgow’s credit they kept fighting and the quarter ended Glasgow 16 – 11 Rocks.

The second quarter saw Glasgow sail into a comfortable lead; they now seemed to have the opposition figured out. After a shaky start Glasgow were playing well and Mraz pitched in with a quick two-pointer. They again have Astromskas to thank, along with Keliauskas, who both scored hoops, including two fantastic three-pointers to help Glasgow go 27-11 in front.

Keliauskas and Mraz linked up well in a play that saw Mraz launch a pass the full length of the court, where Keliasuskas collected and coolly converted for two points.

The Rocks managed to regain some points; it seemed Glasgow would get so far ahead and then allow the opposition back into the game. It was end-to-end in this quarter and played at a blistering pace. Glasgow were managing to make more of their chances but were punished by a few three-pointers from a determined Rocks team. At half-time the score was Glasgow 37- 30 Rocks.

The third quarter saw Glasgow pick up where they left off. Mraz scored a few hoops and helped his team to widen the gap over the Rocks. This quarter was frantic and aggressive with a few rough challenges and a spate of fouls taking place. The Rocks again scored a few three-pointers and they did their best to keep themselves in the game. The quarter ended with Glasgow leading 64 – 51.

The final quarter was a nervy affair, with Glasgow retaining their lead but with the Rocks continuing to peg them back. Tensions were high as Glasgow managed to stay ahead, and the pressure was starting to show with the Rocks team arguing amongst themselves and giving away fouls.

Glasgow did well to rise above this, and thrived on the pressure, but they were once again let down by their shooting. If they had managed to score more of the chances they created they would have been in a much more comfortable position.

The Rocks didn’t have the fight to take Glasgow to the wire, but they certainly gave them a tough game. Glasgow showed great character and determination to overcome and quell any idea of a comeback from the opposition as they honed in on a place in the final.

The game ended Glasgow 85 – 72 Rocks. Overall they showed tremendous team spirit with every one doing their bit, including the fans that turned up to inspire the team to victory. But the MVP award should surely be given to captain Astromskas, who was inspirational and has done more than most to get his team through the tie and set up a date with Edinburgh Spartans in the final on March 26.

Glasgow University Riding Club is having a successful, rosette-filled season, with wins in competitions for all of their teams.

They have a team going to the prestigious Scottish Universities Sport (SUS) Championships, where they will be represented by their captain, Mhairi Rawluk, along with Claire Herbison and Rachel Malloch, to be held on March 21 at Kingsbarn Stables in Fife.

The competition will involve eight teams, consisting of various tests for horse and rider. The contestants will first face a tough dressage, which will involve every rider competing at the same time, calling for synchronisation, teamwork and skilled riding. They will also compete in showjumping up to a maximum height of 110cm.

Glasgow has held its own in competitions throughout this season and at every level. The C-team has competed three times recently, against Heriot-Watt and Edinburgh University, in dressage and showjumping, winning two of these competitions and placing second in the other. The C-team has also excelled individually with tremendous rides from Gemma Lord who won individually at Heriot-Watt and at Glasgow’s home competition, which took place at Tannoch stables. Glasgow put their home GURC continue to whip away the rest advantage to good use, allowing the C-team to flourish. This competition also saw another fine display from Hannah Smith, who placed second individually at all three competitions.

Overall, the C-team have had a fantastic season and hope to continue this at the regionals, where they will compete against the top two teams in Scotland for the chance to be crowned outright champions.

The B-team has also been very successful, having recently taken part in three competitions, coming first in two of them and third in the other. The B-team drew on points with Edinburgh University and were unfortunate to be beaten due to penalties. Glasgow riders again topped the individual spots at all of these competitions, and in doing so, demonstrated great skill and competitiveness from all the riders who took part.

Finally, the A-team have been utterly dominant this year, having won each of its three competitions this year, in doing so beating rivals Strathclyde and Caledonian in their league. The A-team also saw a fine individual display from Eilish Busby, when she took first place at two competitions and second at the other. Glasgow are now placed as one of the top three teams in Scotland and will next compete at the Regionals, to be held on March 31 at Oatridge College in Edinburgh.

Glasgow 4-0 Stirling

Glasgow University Women’s Football Club’s first team had to bide their time to maintain their unbeaten run this season. The game at Garscube was delayed for thirty minutes, due to the lack of a referee. When the game eventually did kick off, Glasgow flew out of the traps.

With fewer than five minutes on the clock, they got their first chance of the game. A through ball from midfield split Stirling’s defence wide open. Katy Emslie pounced on the pass and left the defenders for dead as she burst into the box. She hit a low shot which Stirling’s keeper should have dealt with comfortably, but somehow she managed to allow it to squirm under her body as she went down to block it. Emslie wasn’t complaining though as she saw it trundle over the line and Glasgow go up 1-0.

Glasgow took confidence from this early goal. They dominated Stirling in midfield, thanks in part to an inspirational performance from Muriel Kaney. Kaney is a strong combative midfielder, yet composed on the ball and her passing is exquisite. Much of Glasgow’s play started and went through the excellent Kaney, with her picking the ball up in midfield and linking up well with the strikers and with Jackie Baird on the right-wing.

Kaney was instrumental in Glasgow’s second goal. She won the ball in her own half, before surging forward and sending a pin point cross into the back post, where it was met by Baird, who had run into the box. Baird kept a cool head, as the keeper came out to close her down and lifted the ball back across the goal and into the far corner of the net. Glasgow were now 2-0 up in just thirty minutes of play.

The only real chance Stirling had in the first half came from a free kick, but the ball was curled past the top left-hand corner of Megan Llyod’s goal. Glasgow continued to push forward and Kaney could have scored a much-deserved goal, when she played a fabulous one-two with Kirsteen Martin on the edge of the box, but she dragged her shot wide of the goal.

Martin was also involved in Glasgow’s next chance, when she played a fantastic defence splitting pass to Emslie, who found herself once again one on one with the keeper. She should have made it a third goal for Glasgow, but again hit it straight to the keeper, who was much more assured this time and saved it easily.
Glasgow played out the last five minutes of the half with only ten players, as Katherine Jaycock went off injured. Coach Niall Marshall decided to see out the half a player down, hoping Jaycock would recover. During this time Glasgow continued to push forward looking for a third goal. But they were almost caught napping when Stirling hit them on the break, playing a long ball up to their striker. But this was intercepted by a well-timed sliding tackle from Kate Hawkins, when it looked like Stirling would have been straight through on goal. The half ended Glasgow 2-0 Stirling.

The injured Jaycock was replaced by left-wing Maritza Logan for the second half. Glasgow quickly won a stone wall penalty when Emslie was pulled down in the box as she made a run on goal. Kirsteen Martin claimed the ball — after scoring in every game this season, she was looking to keep up her terrific record. She was unlucky and failed to convert the spot kick, placing the ball into the left corner of the goal, but Stirling’s keeper made a great low diving save to turn it round the post.

Glasgow freshened things up by making another substitute, with Robyn Lang coming on for Baird. Baird had a great game, her tenacious play down the right-wing avoiding Stirling’s left-back all game, with her whipping in dangerous crosses and incisive passes.

Not long after the change, Glasgow received their second penalty. This time centre half Meghan Ferriter
stepped up to take the shot. In contrast to Martin’s cushioned, placed penalty, Ferriter bulleted hers straight down the middle of the goal. The power and height left the keeper with no chance of stopping it as it thundered into the back of the net. Glasgow were now 3-0 up and cruising.

With ten minutes to go, Glasgow made their final substitution. Martin, the team’s top goal scorer, who gave a fine performance up front and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet, was replaced by Rachel Kemp. Within minutes of being on the pitch Kemp was involved in Glasgow’s next attack. She flicked a high ball to Emslie, but gain she hit her shot straight at Stirling’s keeper, with a little bit more composure, she could have had a hat-trick in this game.

Glasgow sealed their victory with a move started by player of the game Kaney — she again picked the ball up deep in her own half, with a burst forward leaving the Stirling midfield for dead. Kaney sprayed the ball into the left-hand side of the box where it was met by Logan who did well to square the ball into the middle of the box with the keeper advancing on her.

The ball broke to Kemp, who coolly slotted the ball into the empty net — she won’t score an easier goal all
season. Glasgow will feel they could have scored more in this game, but they will have been happy with this clinical performance. They kept a clean sheet, as they picked up another three points and stretched their winning streak to five games on the trot.

On the evidence of this display it looks like Glasgow are on their way to a very successful season. With four games left they are looking to overtake Robert Gordon University at the top of the league, and the Aberdonian outfit must be nervously looking over their shoulders after this impressive display. Glasgow have also reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Universities Cup which will be played against St Andrews March 10.

Not all martial arts are the same you know  — take it from me, I now have personal experience. They may sound alike and even dress the same, but they are fundamentally different.

Upon my arrival at the exercise studio in the Stevenson building, I was greeted with a wholly friendly and enthusiastic welcome from the secretary Andrew Moffat and fellow members of the Shorinji Kempo club. From the offset I was beginning to realise that not all martial arts are alike. As I entered the class I was asked to remove my shoes and socks. This was faux pas number one, and I was already feeling like I had broken some ancient Japanese protocol. So I dutifully obliged — when in Rome, or Tokyo in this case.

So, what is Shorinji Kempo, I hear you cry! It is a Japanese martial art which has been going for over sixty years. Literally translated it means ‘Shaolin Temple Fist System’. They are broken down into various sections.

Firstly, like all sports, there is the warm-up (Junbi Taiso in Japanese). But unlike any other warm-ups I have witnessed, I was intrigued to hear as they limbered up all of the instructions and responses being spoken in Japanese. Then it struck me, as I watched everyone in the class, it was like a little piece of Japan right here in Glasgow. It was like being transported to the inner sanctum of a holy temple. Quite what they would have made of me texting on my mobile, I do not know, but I’m sure it would have been frowned upon.

After warming up they move on to basic training (Kihon). The class work on the basic principles of how to stand and move; to deliver punches and kicks; how to evade attacks and; how to deliver counter attacks. The training involves recognised martial arts moves such as blocks, punches and kicks, along with grappling attacks, throws and pins.

Then the class splits up into their grade groups for technical training (Waza). Students progress through a series of ranks — the belt system is ordered yellow, green, blue, brown and black. During this section of the class students train the techniques — usually defences against specific attacks — appropriate to their grade.

Unlike other martial arts, Shorinji Kempo also involves meditation and philosophy (Chinkon-gyo and Howa). During most classes, there will be a few minutes of seated meditation practice. This is nothing mystical — it’s simply a breathing control exercise. It also reinforces the point that Shorinji Kempo is trying to train the mind and body together.

Sensei Tony Leith, who has over twenty years  of experience, explained to me that most martial arts were founded with the intention of being more than just fighting systems, but many have lost their philosophical and spiritual perspective over time, mainly due to being westernised. He stressed that Shorinji Kempo actively strives to maintain its spiritual roots, and participants need to demonstrate an understanding of the philosophy in order to pass each of the various belt gradings.

The club works on the principles of self-defence and building a healthy mind as well as body. It is the mix of working on a healthy mind and body that Sensei Leith explains drew him to this fascinating sport. It teaches effective self-defence without inflicting permanent injury on an opponent. The point is to prevent somebody doing harm to others, not to do harm to them. But towards the end of the class he demonstrated a few advanced moves that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a James Bond movie. It involved applying pressure to vital points across the body in order to subdue an attacker — as much as it is spiritual it can also be very useful.

By joining the GUSKC you will have a great opportunity to meet new people, improve your fitness and learn practical self-defence. Training will make you physically fitter, while improving flexibility and mobility. It is also great training for the mind. Meditation practice teaches that if you can control your breathing in a stressful situation, you can control yourself. And for students this can be a great tool for use in anything from exams to self-defence.

The club has been active for over 25 years. They regularly travel to both national and international events and have close links to their sister club, based at Hokkaido University, Japan. In 2007 they paid a visit to the Hokkaido club, a visit which also incorporated the 60th anniversary celebrations at the Budokan in Tokyo and a training seminar at the World Shorinji Kempo HQ on the island of Shikoku. Co-operation is an important ideal when training in Shorinji Kempo, so it’s no surprise to learn that they are a fun, enthusiastic and friendly club.

For more information, contact secretary-shorinji@gusa.gla.ac.uk. or  drop into a training session at the Stevenson Building.

Joe McLean

I have to admit my sporting knowledge of Frisbee amounted to memories of playing it during lazy summers in Kelvingrove Park and on California’s sandy beaches. But guzzling cold beers, and avoiding tenacious dogs while doing so, didn’t exactly take a lot of exertion. So I was slightly cynical about the “sport” of Ultimate Frisbee as I joined the Ultimate team, (dropping the frisbee element as there are issues over copyright), at one of their weekly training sessions in the Kelvin Hall.

After the warm-up I joined Coach Phil Webb in some throwing practice and he explained a bit more about the game to me. The object is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football. But unlike football, players may not run while holding the disc, so it’s more similar to netball in that respect. This fusion of sports is also complemented by the fact that they play mixed teams.

It was all sounding very liberal to me. So it was no surprise to learn it all started in 1960’s America, where it was described as being the “ultimate game experience”. The rules governing movement and scoring have not changed over the decades, with gentlemanly behaviour the order of the day. A foul was originally defined as contact “sufficient to arouse the ire of the player fouled”. All Ultimate matches (even at World Championship events) are self-officiated. How noble and refreshing, especially after the recent Thierry Henry ‘Hand of Gaul’ incident, that here we have an honest way to play sport. “No referees,” I hear you cry, “surely anarchy will ensue!” But in speaking with Phil, he says it is surprising just how honest players are over incidents. Ultimate’s self-officiated nature demands a strong spirit of sportsmanship and respect. But cast aside any idea that this is just a game of pleasantries — from what I saw it is just as vigorous and arduous as football or basketball.

Indoor Ultimate evolved as a variant of the standard outdoor game and is more popular in the UK due to our climate. I watched some practice games, and I was astounded at how frantic and action-packed they were. As a regular five-a-side football player, I was blown away by how fast this game is and how much of the pitch the players cover. Phil explained that games run for twenty minutes and they are virtually non-stop. With that you can dispel any notion of a leisurely game in the park, this is lung bursting stuff! For me it ticks all the boxes for a sport: it’s a team game; it has technique and skill; it’s competitive; and above all else, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. My eyes were well and truly opened to this unique game and I recommend everyone to try it, it’s a great work out!

With around fifty members, they are a bigger club than most people would give them credit for. They train up to three times a week, and attend regular tournaments all over the UK, and with an emphasis on everyone being involved, I think a lot of mainstream sports at Glasgow could learn a thing or two from this club. Ultimate has been going for around ten years and has produced players who have represented Britain and Sweden at the European Championships. For all you cynics who didn’t give them a second look at the Freshers’ Fair, get down to the Kelvin Hall and, who knows, you may find yourself representing Glasgow at a tournament in the not too distant future!

Photo: Olivia Vitazkova

Glasgow 51-6 East Bank

Joe McLean

Glasgow lined up for their third league game of the new season at Strathclyde University’s Jordanhill Campus on a cold and dark November night.

Inside on the netball court things were soon heating up as Glasgow played the game at a blistering pace. Coach Leanne Hillan’s attack-minded side dominated this game from the off, making East Bank look like mere spectators at times and they passed the ball with tremendous fluency and ease.

East Bank took the centre and made an early attack on Glasgow’s defence, but this was easily mopped up by the strong opposition. From this, Glasgow quickly played the ball out to their Wing Attack, Lizz Yine, who fed the ball to Goal Attack Holley Willison, who in turn fed the ball to Goal Shooter Jayne Cameron — she scored the first of her several goals and really set the tone for this game.

In the first quarter Glasgow were relentless, pressuring East Bank, linking play well and going up the court at a speed the opposition struggled to cope with all night. Goal after goal rained down on the East Bank defence. Glasgow played with an air of confidence and elegance, with fast, sharp passing inside the goal circle. The link-up play from Willison and Cameron proved lethal; they seemed to win every ball that came into the goal circle and punished the defence. The quarter ended Glasgow 12 – 2 East Bank.

If East Bank thought they had it tough in the first quarter, they didn’t have to wait too long into the second to realise that Glasgow’s barrage of goals was going to keep on coming. They were on the back foot for most of this quarter, chasing Glasgow’s players and continuing to leak goals at an alarming rate.

Glasgow punished every piece of slack play from the opposition. The introduction of Wing Attack Helen Wright in this quarter marked an increase in tempo to an already frantic game. She dominated the centre third, mopping up loose balls, spraying clinical passes into the goal circle and flexing a confidence on the ball that East Bank could only dream of.
She was instrumental in the team’s patient build up play, when they couldn’t go direct, she played the ball out wide and Glasgow would bide their time before making the killer pass into the goal circle. The deadly Cameron continued to add to her ever increasing goal tally.

The only respite East Bank got in the second quarter was when Cameron got the ball stuck behind a basketball board. With play held up until a suitable replacement was found, East Bank could take a break from the onslaught. The quarter ended Glasgow 29 – 5 East Bank.

The third quarter saw Wright pick up where she had left off, and she could do no wrong as she won balls in the centre third of the court and continually made complete and precision passes. It was tenacious stuff from Glasgow and every pass into the goal circle landed at the glue-like hands of Cameron, she caught everything that came her way, even at times when she was fouled or off balance, she battled on to score point after point. She was pirouetting and balancing like a ballerina at times, making one-handed catches and never giving up, winning rebound after rebound and continually scoring goals.

The final quarter saw Glasgow make some changes: Wright was one of the players replaced and she could rest easy knowing she served her team well. Glasgow initially picked up where they had left off, Willison and Cameron continued to link up well and score goal after goal, but they started to get a bit complacent, with the game well won by this point.

This slackness allowed East Bank to peg a few goals back and Glasgow were losing balls in the centre third that they had been previously winning with ease. But this was to prove a minor blip. They soon recovered and picked up the pace, with the cool, calm and collected Cameron oozing class to keep scoring and settling any nerves that had set into the team at this stage. Glasgow did tire towards the end, but with the blistering pace they had set from of the offset, this could be excused.

Photo: Jim Wilson

Joe McLean

The earliest “horsey” memory I recall is of me sitting on the arm of our sofa, pretending to be a jockey whilst watching The Grand National. Sadly, my dream of becoming the next top jump jockey never got any further than that sofa, but it ignited a passion that has continued to this day.

It’s this same passion for horses that attracted many to join the Glasgow University Riding Club (GURC) this year, with club captain Mhairi Rawluk reporting that over 35 new students signed up to the club, including me. Although I had not been on a horse for over a year before joining the GURC, I was welcomed to the club, along with everyone, from complete beginners to advanced riders.

For many, joining the club would be their very first experience of the sport but for others it was the ideal place to develop and hone their talent. For me, it was the perfect excuse to get back on a horse and to get back into a sport that I love, but in my book, doesn’t get a fair crack of the whip. It is sometimes perceived to be an elitist sport, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.

The club tries to make the sport as affordable as possible and this was proved in my first lesson. For the reasonable price of £15, I had the pleasure of a one-hour group lesson at the palatial Ingliston Stables in Renfrewshire, which have to be seen to be believed. If you were planning your perfect stables, this would be the blueprint. It is truly state-of-the-art, with indoor arenas, a gymnasium, and a restaurant.

I was starting to worry that my rusty skills would be no match for Ingliston. I was also slightly anxious, after not being in the saddle for over a year. Last time involved an unfortunate incident on a thoroughbred racehorse bolting down a country lane with me hanging on for dear life. The thing didn’t want to stop, and when it eventually did, its owner quipped: “I bet you’re glad I only train it for two mile races”. It didn’t merit a response!

I digress, but here I am, a fully paid-up member of the GURC and ready for my first lesson. To ease my anxiety, the first half of the lesson was on a simulator — I told you this place was state of the art — a great way to get the basic knowledge and confidence back without worrying what a horse is doing.

After working through the various gaits, it was time for the real thing, and I was paired with a beautifully coloured horse — think the type ridden in cowboy films — called Baillie. The lesson lasted an hour and it felt great to be back in the saddle. It was well worth every  single penny.

Aside from lessons, the GURC has a whole host of other things on offer. For the more advanced rider, there is the opportunity to take part in team trials and get onto one of the club’s teams. The competition this year to make the final sixteen has been one of the toughest to date.

The club has four teams who compete in the Scottish BUSA League and the Inter-University League. Glasgow has a history of producing strong teams, most notably in 2007, when incredibly, no fewer than three teams reached the BUCS National finals.

Find out about joining one of the biggest clubs in the University by contacting Mhairi at captain-riding@gusa.gla.ac.uk. Or come along to the GUU on Wednesdays and give it a go.

Photo: Sarah-Ann Lee

Glasgow 82-79 Stirling

Joe McLean

Tonight I find myself court side at the Donald Dewar Centre, named after a past alumnus of the University and, of course, Scotland’s first ever First Minister. This was the setting for Glasgow’s opening game of the season against Stirling, and it was a fine vantage point to view what was a thrilling and action-packed game.

As both teams lined up, it was striking to note the height advantage Glasgow had over the visitors. Yet early on this acted as more of a hindrance for the home side. Glasgow were guilty all night of being overly physical and conceded too many sloppy fouls at the start. The play early on was to set the tone for the evening, with Glasgow going on to concede no fewer than five fouls in the first quarter, all resulting in free throws and giving away slack points.

Glasgow called a time out after only two minutes and it was much needed. Coach Lawton regrouped his troops, ordering them to stop the barrage of foul points being given away so cheaply. This pep talk seemed to have the desired effect and Glasgow ended the first quarter with some terrific play to bring the home side to 22 – 31.

This resurgence was carried on into the second quarter and Glasgow started brightly. They were now flexing a dominance that had earlier been lacking. But, as quickly as the fight back started, they returned to giving away cheap fouls.

With these easy points Stirling’s confidence grew: some classy play from Stirling’s Lodge and Scott caused Glasgow all sorts of problems; their piercing, dribbling runs terrorising the home defence.

They exploited the huge gaps in Glasgow’s defence and at times the towering home team looked lacklustre and lumbering, as they struggled to match Stirling’s drive and pace, and were constantly caught flat-footed.

At times a few of Glasgow’s taller players resembled baby giraffes trapped on ice, rather than basketball players — it was all very awkward and cumbersome.
Glasgow needed a boost, and with the introduction to the game of Mraz, they got that much needed lift. His arrival injected a vibrancy to the Glasgow play and saw the scoreboard constantly ticking over in their favour.

Point Guard Zasimauskas also started to dictate the pace and flow of the game: he was linking play well and chipping in with some valuable points.
Glasgow just about managed to hang on and went into the break with the score at 42–53.

Glasgow dominated the start of the third quarter, but they were soon punished again by the slick play of Stirling’s Lodge and Scott.

Glasgow seemed to lack this confidence on the ball, whilst the devastating nature of the pair consistently tore Glasgow apart. The quarter ended with the scores at 61-70.

The fourth quarter saw an early two-pointer from Glasgow help to peg the gap and saw the start of an incredibly determined comeback.
Stirling’s Scott was again driving at Glasgow’s weak defence, but the home team had a renewed vigour and seemed to grow stronger the longer the game went on.
They kept some of their strongest basketball until the final quarter, and it very much belonged to Kemptys, Mraz and Zasimauskas. The Glasgow trio linked up well to score points and they completely dominated Stirling. They brought some much needed fight as they battled for every inch of the court.

Stirling managed to get two more points, as did Glasgow, who were keeping possession well, passing the ball left to right, trying to find a way through to Stirling’s basket. Their patience and build-up play paid off as they managed a valuable three-pointer to bring the score to 78-79.

Then Glasgow’s luck broke when they received a foul and two free throws, and they managed to score both, bringing the game to 80-79.

This was followed by another quick foul by capitulating Stirling, to leave the final score 82-79.

Glasgow clinched this opening game with a tenacious display. If they carry this ethos with them, then they will surely be a force to reckon with this season.

Photo: Maciej Siurek

Joe McLean

The 2009 Sports Fair was a proverbial melting pot of student clubs, all jostling and vying for fresh talent to swell their ranks.

The Fair had a vast array on display to suit the most discerning of sportsmen, from the mainstream and the obscure to the downright insane. It seemed as if there was a sport or activity available for every taste and more importantly available to everyone, regardless of age or skill level. Enthusiasm was the order of the day in the activity hall.

Freshers of all sporting ability arrived in their droves, brimming with the enthusiasm the clubs were seeking. From dedicated athletes to weekend amateurs, they filed in through the Stevenson Building’s front doors, with many first stopping en route to chat with the sailing club, who had cleverly “anchored” a boat on the corner of Oakfield Avenue and University Avenue.

This nautical sight drew as much attention from inquisitive students as it did gawps from bemused motorists, who were rubber–necking at this most unusual of sights during the morning commute.

The throngs of students were all intrigued and drawn to the Fair to find out just what was on offer from Glasgow University’s sports clubs and, more importantly to some, to find out just what was inside those yellow bags everyone on campus seemed to be carrying. They arrived at the Activity Hall and were met with a scene of all-round sporting peacocking and posturing.

Inside, the hall was packed with every conceivable sport and club. It also housed just as many conceivable sporting stereotypes to match the contrasting activities on offer: from bearded mountaineers messing around with ropes and knots to fake–baked cheerleaders merrily smiling and waving pom–poms as they manned their stalls.

Wandering around the hall allowed the visitor to see an eclectic mix of sportsmen: from american footballers rubbing shoulder pads with potholders; and equestrian enthusiasts, resplendent in jodhpurs and riding boots, sharing floor space with Kendo martial arts experts shimmering in their armoured finery brandishing fierce–looking weapons.

It seemed everyone from the Judo Club, with its bruising floor display, and the Rowing Club, with its lung bursting rowing machine competition, to the more gentile sports of snooker and cricket were recruiting new members.

This was helped somewhat by the lure of free trials and taster sessions, including offers from the popular and sometimes expensive sports of sky diving and skiing.

It was also a rare opportunity to sign your life away for an activity you would never dream of taking part in, with many choosing to try the ancient and noble art of fencing or for others the bone–crushing brutality of american football and lacrosse.

It’s this diversity of sport which echoes the vast array of cultures at Glasgow University and it bodes well for this new term, with people of all backgrounds coming together through the unifying power of sport, and it’s safe to say of whom many may never have otherwise had the chance to meet.

All in all, the Fair was a roaring success, with potential not only students to re-ignite a passion or find a hidden talent but for the University to perhaps unearth that hidden gem or star of the future.

It also proves that there is more to Freshers’ Week than drinking competitions in the Unions and foam parties at their nightclubs.

The journey many of these freshers are embarking on at Glasgow will surely be enhanced and enriched by participating in sport and it’s pleasing to see so many taking the opportunity to get involved.