Internationalisation within University

Sport

Beth Hampson

Megan Russell

Simon Tyson

University of Exeter

Internationalisation within University Sport

• Beth Hampson – Athletic Union President

• Megan Russell – Participation and Volunteering Officer

• Simon Tyson – Athletic Union Development Officer

Overview

• Background and Context

• International Sport Month

• Future Plans for an International Exeter

Background and Context

Sport as a major contributor to overall student experience

• Sports participation at Exeter

• A changing student demographic

• International student experience

• Participation rates anecdotally lower

Internationalisation History

2008 - 2009: Athletic Union begins researching existing activity

• Current participation largely as expected

• Pockets of independent activity

• Appetite for further activity

• Positive experience for those involved

Internationalisation History

2009 - 2010: Internationalisation Strategy for Sport created

• Consulted with key stakeholders

• Reasons for non-engagement investigated

• Strategy sought to:

1. Increase awareness of existing opportunities

2. Offer appropriate additional activity

Internationalisation History

2010 - 2012: Engagement activity

• Targeted engagement

• Increases in all forms of activity

• Engagement and integration

• March 2012 - International Sport Month

International Sport Month

• Aims and Objectives

• Planning and Funding

• Events

• Review

This area for pictures/charts/tables,etc

Aims and Objectives

3 main aims -

• Learn more about the sport, physical recreation, and health and

wellbeing preference of Exeter International Students

• Increase International Student participation in the University

sports clubs, health and wellbeing activities and Intramural events

• Increase International and Domestic student integration through

sport, physical recreation and health and wellbeing

Planning and Funding

• Securing funding

• Planning events

• Arranging facilities

• Communicating plans

International Sport Month Activities

Recreational

Competitive

Spectator

Introduction to Yoga

Mixed Netball Tournament Tottenham v Manchester United (at the

SU)

Volleyball Taster Session Grecian Shield 6-a-side Football

Tournament

Lacrosse Charity Match

Gym Advice

Dare Devils Charity Run Arsenal v Newcastle (at the SU) Tai-Chi Dodgeball Tournament Rugby - England v Ireland (at the SU) Judo Taster Session

Basketball Tournament

Manchester City v Chelsea (at the SU)

Racketlon Swimming Taster Session and

Lesson Table Tennis Taster Session Golf Taster Session Chi Ball Athletics Taster Session Kwik Cricket Taster Session Gym Advice Zumbathon Yoga Cardio Badminton Taster Session Mixed Touch Rugby

Activity Participation

Total

Student Demographic

Domestic International INTO

6-a-side Football Tournament 540 298 202 40

Dodgeball Tournament 320 275 28 17

Mixed Netball Tournament 240 234 4 2

Table-Tennis Taster Session 145 27 46 72

Lacrosse Charity Match (players) 117 110 5 2

Golf Taster Session 108 59 10 39

Volleyball Taster Session 93 21 21 51

Lacrosse Charity Match (spectators) 84 81 2 1

Basketball Tournament 80 18 39 23

Volleyball 2nd Taster Session 63 39 14 10

Racketlon Taster Session 53 29 14 10

Badminton Taster Session 48 19 10 19

Participant Numbers

Positives

• Huge success and exceeded our expectations

• Traditionally played sports were most successful

• Promotional material created ‘buzz’ on campus

• FREE taster sessions

• Use of large open spaces in the middle of campus

Month Review

To Improve

• Make activities more recreational

• Involve International students as part of the planning of the

month

• Ensuring exit strategies are identified and clearly signposted

Month Review

Future Plans for an International Exeter

• Survey results

• Changes to ISM

• Developments to our Internationalisation Strategy

69.4%

19.8% 10.8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Once per week or more Once every 2 to 3 weeks Once per month or less

Graph 1: How often Exeter International Students take part in physical activity

12.9%

10.2%

3.9%

15.0%

20.2%

2.4%

7.1% 8.7%

6.0% 4.2%

9.7%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Graph 2: The main sports Exeter International Students participate in

8.8% 6.9%

27.4%

3.8% 2.1% 2.6%

6.4% 8.8%

15.8% 15.8%

1.4% 0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%Graph 3: The main sports Exeter International students watch

7.7%

12.2%

22.4%

2.0%

23.5%

15.3% 16.8%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

I am notinterested in

sport

It is tooexpensive

The times arenot convenient

The sports I likeare not offered

I am too busy tojoin a club

My friends don'ttake part

Academiccommitments

Graph 4: The main reasons preventing Exeter International students from taking

part in physical activity

Future Plans Summary

• Create an international ‘feel’ to sports events

• Make sport recreational

• Engage students early

• Peer encouragement/Buddying activities