Sports Officer

Sports Officer

Robbie Richards

Robbie recently graduated from his undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Studies with Practitioner Status, and since joining Swansea University back in 2022 has been in the Surf Club, played for Rygbi Tawe and been a part of Wild Swimming. Achieving social sec of Wild Swim halfway through his 1st year, Robbie then became the social sec for the Surf Club in his 2nd year, then progressing to be President of the Surf Club in his 3rd year. Robbie is the key point of contact between students, the Student's Union and Sport Swansea, working with all 3 to put on huge events such as the Welsh Varsity.

Robbie joined the Surf Club in the freshers week of his 1st year having never surfed before, got absolutely hooked and now can't stop! He went from absolute beginner to competing in BUCS Surfing in his 3rd year. Out of hours, Robbie will either be in the ocean, on the beach, or out on Wind St. for a boogie!

From Your Officer

Robbie Richards

Hey everyone, I'm Robbie Richards, through Uni I was part of the Surf Club, Rygbi Tawe, Wild Swimming, as well as being actively involved with multiple societies such as Dance soc, Darts soc, and Pool & Snooker soc.

When I was social sec for Wild Swimming, we won Society of the Year for 22/23, then I was social sec for Surf Club and President of the Surf Club in my final year. These clubs made me University experience to be incredible, and I couldn't recommend anything more than joining a club!

Whilst doing my University degree and being a part of all these clubs, I also worked for the SU as Events Staff promoting events and selling merch, as well as working for the RNLI as a fundraiser, raising over £390,000 in ltv.

I am so excited to help everyone get the amazing University sporting experience that I was lucky enough to have.

#GWA #BLEEDGREEN #SEEYOUINJACKS

Roles and Responsibilities

Roles & Responsibilities

I advocate for sports enthusiasts, representing student concerns to the university. Collaborating with peers and staff, I invigorate campus life through events, campaigns, and projects. As a liaison between students and the university, I influence policies to elevate team sports and well-being. My leadership ensures robust athletic involvement, fostering a spirited, cohesive, and health-conscious campus community.

What I'm Working On

Grow Smaller and Intramural Clubs - Manifesto

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this manifesto point is to get more members in the intramural, smaller, and lesser known clubs with the hope of growing them numbers wise and structurally

Identify planned actions

Posts on socials to help smaller clubs with promotion

Note any progress so far

Planned campaigns such as Sports Officer Tries to give exposure to smaller clubs
Planned small scale events to involve non-sport students who may not be as aware of the range of sports clubs we have
Planned large scale events with the hopes of members of smaller club’s committee members getting involved to give even more exposure to their clubs

Set measures of success

X amount of members joining specific clubs
An increase in the total number of members in these smaller and intramural clubs

More Members in Sport - Manifesto

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective of this manifesto point is to get more students involved in sports clubs, hopefully helping mental health in students through boosting them endorphins by being involved in sport

Identify planned actions

Taster sessions throughout the year
‘Sports Officer Tries’ campaign to give exposure to smaller clubs
Large scale events that generate more interest in sports related opportunities
Smaller events such as the dog walk to encourage non-sport members to get active and moving and hopefully joining a sports club

Note any progress so far

Created and planned a range of small and large scale events to ensure there is lots of interest from sport and non-sport members

Set measures of success

X amount of new members in a club
An increase in the overall number of students with sports memberships
Students with sports memberships to increase from 15% that it is now to at least 20%

More Events for Students - Manifesto

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this manifesto point is to give fun and engaging events to sports students that promotes a good culture and environment.

Identify planned actions

Make sure fun and engaging events that have happened before either stay running or start running again
Create, plan and run new and exciting events to engage students

Note any progress so far

Written up lots of documents for fun events, with the vision for them and how they will run

Set measures of success

Lots of attendance at these high scale events
Lots of attendance at the smaller events

Vitamin D Campaign

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main aim for this campaign is to encourage students to get out into the sunshine and recieve the benefits Vitamin D can give them.

Identify planned actions

Create an incentive to encourage people to get a certain amount of sun/outdoors time each day
Create promotional materials
Promote the campaign on socials/screens around campus

Note any progress so far

Plan where online materials will be posted

Set measures of success

High engagement
More students outdoors, potentially in a sport
Positive feedback

Step Count Campaign

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this campaign is to get people moving and boost their endorphins, hopefully aiding with mental health

Identify planned actions

Set up a way for people to record their steps
Come up with a number of steps students need to hit each day to win the prize at the end of the month
Come up with a prize/reward for the students that hit the goal
Look at partnering with businesses such as puresport to get prizes for the top 3 students with the most steps at the end of the month

Note any progress so far

Decide the timespan the campaign will run over

Set measures of success

A large level of involvement
The step count goal being hit by many students
Positive feedback from students

Student and Staff Sports Day/Matches

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this event is to give students and staff a chance to mix and potentially work together to compete in their respective sports

Identify planned actions

Figure out the logistics of the event eg. Lots of different sports matches, a 7’s tournament or a rotating sport carousel
Set a date
Set a time
Set a location
Identify which sports will be used on the day
Generate interest in the event
Create promotional materials
Promote the event to all students and staff that may want to get involved

Note any progress so far

Liase with some staff members and float the idea

Set measures of success

A large turnout
Conversations between staff and students
Positive feedback

Inclusive Sports Club/Events/Day

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective of this campaign is to have an inclusive and accessible sports event that encompasses all of our wonderful students here at Swansea University.

Identify planned actions

Contact different clubs and societies to see if they have any members that may be interested
Reach out, with the help of the University, to anyone that may be interested in participating in this fun, inclusive event
Create promotional materials
Start promoting the day to students

Note any progress so far

Met with Get Active to talk about logistics
Set a date
Set a time
Set a location

Set measures of success

An event that any student with a physical or cognitive disability feels included in and has had fun
Feedback from students around the fun they have had

Cost of Living - Free Equipment hire

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this campaign is to give studentd access to some of the amazing resources we have and spread awareness around the important of moving in Movember

Identify planned actions

Create a list of the equipment and resources the student union already has access to
Create notification posts alerting people of when and where to hire the equipment from

Note any progress so far

Check stock room for equipment and resources we already have

Set measures of success

Lots of equipment being hired
Smooth logistical hiring forms and well-used systems

Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective of this campaign is to give insight and information around diet and nutrition to allow students to make healthy choices and become the best version of themselves.

Identify planned actions

Create information slides and posters to be posted on socials
Decide what nutrition information I am going to include
Post over socials, have them up on screens over campus

Note any progress so far

Choose between in-person and online campaign

Set measures of success

Positive feedback from Sports members
Feedback form/questions / interviews from how sports members diets are before/after

Bay Beach Boogie

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this event is to have a beachy festival event that will be co-hosted by some of the beachy sports clubs

Identify planned actions

Plan the DJs
Plan the exact location
Plan bar setup
Contact Acts
Contact relevant sports clubs who will be hosting and helping to run the event

Note any progress so far

Decide which beachy sport clubs to contact to offer to co-lead the event

Set measures of success

Big turnout
Good vibes
Everyone enjoying themselves

Flight Night

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this event is to have a large scale, engaging event in the second term before Varsity, that incorporates sport and society members.

Identify planned actions

Plan the structure of the event
Send out an application form for Sports members to apply
Liase with Darts Society to incorporate their best members who are highly skilled for the partnerships
Make promotional and marketing creations, then promote it!

Note any progress so far

Secure a venue for the event
Secure a date for the event
Choose a theme for the event

Set measures of success

A high number of attendees
Smoothly run evening, all following the plan
Positive feedback, comments and interactions

'Hello Mate' Campaign

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this campaign is for sports members to bring a mate who is not involved with sports to a session of somekind, whether that being club sessions or sessions put on by the SU, and then have positive interactions with other sports members about the benefits and great things about being part of a sports club.

Identify planned actions

Organise a schedule for the Hello Mate sessions where clubs can get involved and support this
Promote this to all clubs and non-sport members
Attend these sessions and bring non-sports members to try them and ensure the running of the events go well

Note any progress so far

Set a timeframe for this campaign (Movember)

Set measures of success

An increase in the number of members in those specific clubs
Positive interactions
Positive feedback

Cost of Living - Motion

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this motion is to have

Identify planned actions

Cost of Living free equipment hire campaign
Communicate with Chartwells to try to secure cheaper food items or deals on specific days for essential foods
CoL Breakfast
Logistical planning for a potential new charity shop idea within the students union
More ideas to come

Note any progress so far

Planned a free equipment hire week to help with the cost of living crisis

Set measures of success

Feedback from students affected by Cost of Living Crisis
Evidence of price reductions/deals from Chartwells and other providers

National Living Wage - Motion

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this motion is to secure a higher block grant from SLT to give Union staff a living wage.

Identify planned actions

Plan a strong, structured argument as to why it is a necessity
Book a meeting with SLT
Make a presentation to present the argument, potentially with props

Note any progress so far

List of ideas that can be used to convince SLT

Set measures of success

A raise in Block Grant
A contractual promise to keep the block grant increasing with the living wage
Ensure the raise is only spent on meeting the living wage
SLT approval
Maintaining a good relationship with SLT post-meeting to ensure future projects are not affected

Sports Officer Tries

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this campaign is to give exposure to lesser-known clubs, whilst also showcasing the high standard of sport we have in all clubs including the bigger clubs

Identify planned actions

Make and release an interest form for hosting the sports officer
Contact club captains to see if/when they would want to host the sports officer
Plan structure of what I will do with each individual sport
Meet with the SU social media co-ordinator to plan the structure for the videos
Planned a schedule for releasing the videos

Note any progress so far

Met with the SU social media co-ordinator to plan the structure for the videos
Planned a schedule for releasing the videos

Set measures of success

X amount of views where a smaller club is the focus
Sports athletes beating the Sports Officer at their own respective sports
Plenty of engagement, lots of spots clubs filling out the interest form
Smaller club’s committee members who are not regular captains bar attendees attending on the week they get the SOT rewards
Club membership tracking

Dog Walk

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective for this campaign is to get students who may not be as active as regular sports students in the outdoors and moving, boosting their endorphins and aiding mental health

Identify planned actions

Contact assistants (FTO’s, Sports Execs, Friends)
Confirm number of assisants
Contact Greyhound shelter
Contact dog shelter 2
Confirm number of dogs
Risk assessment
Give all info and vision to Marketing, get promotional content
Post promotional stuff on socials, collabing with main Swansea su insta

Note any progress so far

Confirm date with Events
Plan the meeting point, the route and
Set measures of success
X amount of attendees
X amount of conversations had between

Set measures of success

X amount of attendees
X amount of conversations had between sports exec's/sports officer and the students about sports

Swim and Paddleboard S'Bay

Robbie Richards

Define the main objective

The main objective of this event is to make use of the ocean, which is so incredibly close to us at Swansea University. Targeting sports members as well as non-sports members, hopefully more bonds will be made and there may be an increase in the number of sports members

Identify planned actions

Create promotional materials and social media posts
Have paddleboards to use for the day
Make a “what-to-bring" list
Make a small info doc on how good colder water is for muscle recovery, circulation and mental well-being after sports matches/training
Liase with the Wild Swimming Society to get a higher number of attendees and their safety protocols

Note any progress so far

Secure a date during freshers
Check tide times, plan event time using high tide as a target

Set measures of success

High level of attendance
Positive feedback and comments