Issue 145

Football Fever

25th September 2006

Fancy yourself as the next Rooney, Lampard or even Peter Crouch?? Why not try out for the mens football team and represent your university against others in BUSA competition this season. Incoming club captain Rob Bunce took time out of preseason training to speak to Waterfront.

So tell us about yourself?

My name is Rob Bunce and along with Phil Wright I am club captain of the Mens football team. This year I will be studying an MSc in Sports Science with Management, following on from a BSc in Sports Science. It is my 4th year in Swansea and i have played as part of the football club for the whole time.

How did you get on last season?

Last season proved a difficult season for the club with the 2nd and 3rd teams being relegated; this was disappointing, as both had won their leagues the previous season. It was another successful season for the 1st team who finished 2nd in their league despite a large number of new faces in the squad. The 1st team have been very successful in BUSA competitions in recent years having reached the final in 3 of the last 4 years; they are also current Welsh champions. The 4th and 5th teams both finished in mid table positions in their respective leagues this season. The 6th and 7th teams play in the inter-mural leagues in the university against teams from various departments as well as groups of friends, with both teams performing well.

The 1st team players have been training as a team throughout most of the summer, and have already started their season for the welsh league team which they represent. The other teams usually begin training during fresher's week, with players from the trials joining up with the squads the following week.

How does the club work, and what is involved?

The club is made up of a total of 7 teams, 5 of which play in the BUSA leagues against teams from other Universities around Britain as well as two Inter Mural sides. Matches are played on Wednesday afternoons throughout the year. The first team requires a high level of commitment that usually involves training 4 times a week with 2 matches. The other teams usually have 2 training sessions a week and 1 match.

How do I get involved?

Trials will be held at the end of Fresher's week. To be involved you need to sign up with the football club at Fresher's fair.

Anything else??

The social side of the football club is one of the best things about playing football at university, with all the players from all the teams meeting up for a night out on a Wednesday after the fixtures. On these team nights I have had some of the best and most memorable times while at university, and I've made some of my best friends through football.

The first team are looking for new players, if you play football at a high standard i.e. district, county, club, professional, international please get in contact. This will allow you to get a head start on the rest of the freshers coming to the University, by this way you can start training straight away, meet the existing squad, and make sure your not missed in the trial process. If you want more information email bobbinssix@hotmail.com or find the football stand at Fresher's fair.

Matt Cannon