'Chill out or Smash it Out'

This time of year can be stressful, with lots of work/revision on but we wanted to remind you of the importance of looking after yourself. With this in mind the uea+sport department have organised a range of free physical activity sessions for students to take part in to help alleviate stress. These sessions include, yoga, box fit and free lunch time walking clubs. Please click here for more information & to view the full timetable.
All sessions are free - you can book the yoga and box fit at the Sportspark reception or over the phone 01603 592398 and for the lunch time walking sessions all you need to do is turn up outside Student Support Services at the stated day/time.

Taking time out to do some active can help distress you and reinvigorate you for the rest of the day. Please click here for find out more.  
 

Check out our project here - https://youtu.be/ryITBn0Ouss

'In the world we live in today people look for other people online.  Whether that's to find out about their background, career experience or just out of curiosity often the first encounter someone might have with another person is an online one,' explained Cathy Wood, Managing Partner of Matchstick Media Limited which set up and ran the UEA and Athlete Angel Social Media Project.

'We wanted to show the students how social media is simply an extension of who they are.  A place to express passions and interests and to explore self-identity,' Cathy continued.

The Social Media Project was set up to encourage those students in charge of social media accounts, at the UEA, to be the best advocates and ambassadors for their clubs, and so the UEA, they could be.  What first online impression, for your club, did they want to make for existing or new students?

The project ran for four months. During that time a dedicated UEA web platform was built - called Athlete Angel - where the best examples of social media use were displayed.  Students were applauded for positive use through a monitoring and scoring system.

At the end of the four month period all the social media content, from all clubs, was reviewed.  Clubs were then awarded certificates of achievement in Commended, Highly Commended and Outstanding categories.

In addition there were 12 individual awards where clubs, who showed excellence in particular areas, were recognised. So, for example, there was an award for Best Picture (Cycling), Best Campaign (Pole Fitness for their Pole Fitter campaign), Best Short Video (jointly won by Athletics and Gymnastics) and Best Long Video (Men's Rugby).

There were then three more awards for the top three clubs who were, in reverse order; Baseball and Softball, Women's Rugby and Netball.

'It was a pleasure to work with so many varied and interesting clubs at the UEA, ' said Cathy, 'and to see how readily they took on the advice and guidance offered,' she added.

'As a company we were, genuinely, bowled over by the creativity, hard work and enthusiasm shown for the project.  In the end it proved impossibly difficult to pick the final winners as there was so much great content which showcased the vibrant opportunities at the UEA,' Cathy added.

'We feel immensely proud of the work the students did and hope, as a company, we can forge a long term relationship with the UEA where we continue to promote and recognise best practice in this area'.

Lucy Cole – Netball Club social media officer (Overall winners of the project)

'Working with Athlete Angel on the media project has been really great. It's helped me to understand the power of social media and with specific goals, the programme has shown us how many great things we do as a club and wider community which often we forget to shout about! It's been enjoyable creating lots of fun and different content and has helped create a community around our club - we can't wait to carry on all our hard work!'

Full Winners List

Best Use of Social Media to Promote Other UEA Clubs:

Women's Football

Best Community Post:

Tap

Best Fundraising Post:

Capoeira (for Capoeira for Refugees Charity)

Best Use of Twitter:

American Football

Best Use of Instagram:

Windsurf and Paddleboard

The Club We Most Wanted To Join:

Netball

The Club Which Scored Most Social Media Goals (positive posts):

Baseball and Softball

Best Campaign:

Pole Fitness for Pole Fitter

Best Picture:

Runners Up: Boat and Ballet

Winner: Cycling

Best 'This Girl Can' Video:

Korfball

Best Short Video:

Runners Up: Women's Rugby

Joint Winners: Athletics and Gymnastics

Best Long Video:

Runner Up: Ballet

Winner: Men's Rugby

Overall Winners of the 2017/18 project…

Third Placed Club: Baseball and Softball

Second Placed Club: Women's Rugby

UEA FA People’s Cup – Men’s 5aside Football Tournament

We are pleased to announce we have been selected to host one of the first rounds of the University section of the FA People’s Cup. We are incredibly excited to take part in the largest small-sided football competition in the country.

With two rounds to progress through before the Finals are held at St. George’s Park in April, and a chance to be at Wembley for the Emirates FA Cup Final in May, could YOUR People’s Cup dreams come true this season?

With the first round regional stages taking place across the country between Wednesday 21 and Sunday 25 February, teams need to make sure they are registered as soon as possible.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP OFFER

Kick start your New Year fitness plan by taking out one of Sportspark's fantastic end of term Student Memberships.

The following options both offer fantastic value for money:

UEA Student Off-Peak Gym Membership: £112.50*

UEA Student Off-Peak Swim Membership: £112.50*

*These UEA Student memberships are valid during January and February 2018 only and are not available on a monthly payment option, nor on a pro-rated basis.

These memberships are 9 months long from the date they are taken out.

Student membership terms & conditions

For more information or to discuss the benefits of Sportsparks upgraded Student Membership offers, please speak to one of our Customer Service Advisors at Reception or call: 01603 592 398. 

Nearly 300 runners braved the icy temperatures on Saturday morning to attend the first ever Colney Lane parkrun at UEA playing fields. Despite the chill, there was a great atmosphere as runners young and old came to test out the new scenic course which becomes a much-welcomed third parkrun for Norwich.

Numbers at the two existing 5k parkruns at Eaton Park and Catton Park have been rising rapidly in recent months and it’s hoped the Colney Lane parkrun will help meet the growing demand for the community events which are free to take part in and aimed at getting people of all ages and abilities active.

Co-Event Directors Ian Edwards and Grant Wheeler both work at the university. Ian said: “We’ve already had some great feedback about the run and how much people enjoyed it. We’re pleased the cold weather didn’t put people off and we’re looking forward to welcoming more people to the event in coming weeks as the word spreads.”

Although events are run entirely by volunteers, initial funding is required to help with equipment, training and central support systems before, during and after the start-up process. This was provided jointly by the Sportspark and Active Norfolk. 

Director of UEA Sport, Phil Steele, said: “After an initial attempt to host a parkrun at UEA about three years ago it was hugely exciting to find a solution to the route conundrum that held us up previously. I hope the event becomes another highlight for the community of Norwich and we welcome the opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.

“Last year, UEA was awarded the UK Universities ‘Participation Programme of the Year’ and parkrun represents another great opportunity for students to become involved in social and recreational sport, as well as volunteering.”

It’s hoped the event will provide an informal way of bringing those who work, live or enjoy the UEA grounds together. If anyone is interested in volunteering opportunities at the new Colney Lane parkrun, contact colneylanehelpers@parkrun.com. 

If you’d like to come and walk, jog or run Colney Lane parkrun you’ll need to register online, print off your barcode and bring it with you – all parkruns are free to take part in. Colney Lane parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am. You can find out more about the event on the Colney lane parkrun website.