Another academic year of sport is nearing its end and exams are nearly (or already for some people) upon us which meant only one thing last Saturday night for Loughborough Students.. the return of the annual Athletic Union Ball!
The previous weekend was BUCS Regatta, our flagship event of the year for uni people not so knowledgeable on what the big events really are, and in our sport we are only just getting into our real racing season. Head racing and indoor 'racing' and testing through the winter just doesn't have anything on 2000 m (or less) side by side racing - yes, Henley Royal Regatta is a fair few metres longer but you get the point! Most of the other sports clubs' BUCS events have finished by this point in the year, though, and so it is that time for a big celebration of how well Loughborough did.. again. This year Loughborough Students won the overall BUCS Championship for the 33rd year in a row!
The timing of the event was good for us this year - it was after BUCS Regatta and none of the trialists had to be away either - so we got a fantastic turnout at the Athena in Leicester, representing the whole membership. As always, the boys enjoyed donning their dinner jackets and the girls could all compare tan lines in their ball dresses. Those who had them proudly wore their now old school LSRC maroon blazers, receiving a lot of attention and praise from people involved in all areas of Loughborough Sport. When we finally get hold of some purple, white and pink ones to fit in with the rebrand and new kit, there is no doubt heads will be turning for all the right reasons!
This year has been a particularly big year for the club. Founded in 1952, last year was our 60th anniversary and at the end of that year came the decision to move the whole club's base to Nottingham Rowing Club. Of course, there have been teething issues over the year but it has been seen to have been very successful by all involved and something that has laid the foundations for the continued progression of the club and its athletes over the coming years.
Prior to the AU Ball, the club was flattered to be nominated for the award of 'Most Improved Club of the Year'. Last year, Jonny Walton won 'Sports Man of the Year' so to be nominated for something two years in a row meant a lot. The reasoning as to why we were nominated follows:
"Moving the whole club this year to one base at Nottingham Rowing Club (NRC) - a British Rowing high performance centre - has enabled LSRC members to get and keep training and interacting together. Coaching, a great fleet and new gym facilities are available for all at NRC, on a 9 km stretch of the River Trent and the 2000 m racing lake at the National Water Sports Centre (NWSC).
In previous years, the membership was one of (if not) the most segregated of all clubs in the AU with Performance, Lightweight, Senior, Intermediate, Novice and Talent ID Mens and Womens sections training at different times and locations between:
- Campus - PowerBase gym
- Loughborough Boat Club (LBC)
- Nottingham and Union Rowing Club (NURC)
- Nottingham Rowing Club
- National Water Sports Centre
All under one roof now, there has been a good integration with NRC across all sections and a greatly improved feel within LSRC too.The club has entered significantly more races this year across all sections and shown success across the board, also racing as NRC composites when required. Most importantly, LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS ROWING is back and hungry for more progress!"
Unfortunately we lost out on the Most Improved Club award to Handball, a relatively young AU club in Loughborough who were very deserved winners. They have been very successful and put through an extraordinary number of triallists this year.
As always there was a lot of mingling with members of other clubs at the champagne reception that preceded the meal. As the evening went on the speeches were made, prizes awarded, tables' wine consumed in copious amounts and puddings eaten with no hands - as always seems to be the way at these events. Once the ceremonial business had been taken care of, people let their hair down a bit more, mingling once again on the dance floor and propping up the bar.
For those familiar with Loughborough nightlife, you will be please to know that the next stop after the ball was Mansion and then Echos - where else would you go on a Saturday night!?
The ball was a night enjoyed and fondly (if perhaps surprisingly) remembered by almost all. A huge thank you to all involved in organising the ball, runnning Loughborough Sport on the AU and SDC sides of things and those who train and compete week in, week out. Also, thanks to Nottingham Rowing Club and all involved there who have helped our club to progress so much this year. There is a great foundation for the future now.
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