Issue 153

Griffin takes AU elections

26th February 2007

The results are in and the votes counted. Simon Griffin will be the Athletic Union President 2007-2008.

He will bring with him his own fresh approach to the job and what he aims to improve in terms of the University's sport.

So what evidence of this new approach to the role is available? Well if his campaign is anything to go by, the next year could prove very interesting.

Nudity, kangaroo suits and the willingness to vandalise his own car all featured prominently in his campaign. On a more serious note his dedication and willingness to learn will undoubtedly be of help in a job Simon himself describes as "a very difficult one."

However one of the key qualities needed to succeed in this job is boundless enthusiasm, as Tim Stickley the current AU President will tell you. The fact that Simon describes himself as "ecstatic" at the prospect of this is a solid indication that he will have the energy needed for the job.

That and the fact he still hasn't stopped celebrating his victory. "The days after the election have been complete debauchery" he laughs. The fact that the best part of a week's solid drinking seems to have had little to no effect on him demonstrates remarkable resilience. It also shows that it is all yet to sink in. "I don't think it will all sink in until I can relax into the chair and begin to take it all in when we get to July."

After all it is then that the job really starts as there are important matters to attend to way before the rest of the University's community drag itself back in September. "The first thing I feel I should sort out is sponsorship," says Simon. "The past few years there have always been squabbles over money and there not being enough of it to go around between all the clubs. I feel if I can negotiate the University a decent sponsorship deal and combine that with clubs raising their own money then we could potentially get rid of the squabbles that have dogged the AU." This is an ambitious aim but yet one that Simon seems determined to achieve but one that if he could put into effect, would fundamentally change the way the AU operates.

Some things, however, do not change as there was yet more controversy surrounding the elections as it recently emerged that Grant Robinson forged one of the signatures of one of his seconders for the campaign.

"I think it is very sad what happened to Grant, he is a good friend of mine from rugby and I had been looking forward to competing with him at the election," says Simon. This is reflective of the camaraderie between the competing factions in this year's election but a good sign for Simon Griffin; it shows he is able to work with those he may not see eye to eye with and he will need this more than once in his tenure as AU President.

With this firmly in mind, we can all sleep safe in the knowledge the he has the right qualities to make it as AU president. This means the question that must be asked is not "will he succeed?" but by "what margin will he succeed?" The potential is there to leave a lasting mark on the AU and bring it forward to a level where it is competitive in the services it offers to its students, whether he will achieve it or not remains to be seen.

Either way, one thing is for certain, the next year will not be a dull one!

Stuart Phillips