It’s coming up to that time of the year again, Varsity, and amongst many things it also means one big thing for sports societies.
That’s right, the drinking ban. One of the essential no-tolerance policies in getting ready for varsity. All the sports teams take it very seriously in their preparation for the biggest sporting event on the calendar of the University year, and it could have an impending effect on those who chose to waver the ban.
Seb Segarra, social sec for the Rowing Club, said “Drinking is a necessary ban in the run up to Varsity because it doesn't help with training in any way. There is a reason Thursday, the day after socials, is a non-training day. People just can't operate in the same way, and a time away from drinking only benefits performance.”
Some could argue that alcohol is what makes the Wednesday night socials what they are; each sports team going round to various bars before getting to the SU to carry on drinking and making memories that will probably be forgotten the next day, but Seb disagrees.
“In general, the rowing club is very sociable anyway and the people are very entertaining, with or without alcohol. Drinking ban is just one of those things that is part and parcel of the club.” Said Seb.
Although Varsity takes place on different dates for different sports teams, the ban falls around the same time for the majority of clubs. For Rowing it’s two weeks, staring on the 13th of March. Other clubs are a lot more strict, starting theirs weeks earlier.
However, regardless in saying that socials are still as entertaining being tee-total, Level One is the place that completely changes. Emily McLeron, who has worked at the Student’s Union for two years, said “when there is a drinking ban the atmosphere here is a lot different. It isn’t so rowdy, and everyone is much friendlier and more polite.”
Emily added “It does affect us, though. Our takings are down a lot more, and as it is not as busy we cut down on staff. It can be better to work as it’s not so busy, but at times it gets boring.”
Additionally, there are serious implications for those who chose not to disobey the ban. “Those who don’t abide by the drinking rules are vulnerable to being dropped from teams, something which no-one wants, as Varsity is the top event of the year”, said Seb.
It may be a hard few weeks for some, but team spirit and that hope of being converted winners over Leicester University is what pulls people though, and as Seb quite rightly stated, “We may not be drinking but we can still have fun!”
No comments:
Post a Comment