Scott undaunted by York Sport challenge
If Emily Scott has any apprehensions about becoming the new York Sport President – that sometimes lonely and unforgiving position of responsibility – they’re well hidden behind her bubbly, self-confident exterior as Nouse settles down for a chat.
Illustrating the hurly-burly life she now inherits, Scott’s diary is full to bursting point for as far as she dares look, flying between BUCS training seminars and general meetings in far-flung reaches of the country. It’s all part of a tiring, if necessary, transition period as she prepares to replace Alex Lacy next month.
Potential headaches dot the horizon; Scott must already grapple with Sports Centre timetabling and club budgets, all before the real business begins. “The timetables aren’t going to be the same as last year, so some teams are going to have to move training venues,” Scott said. “And no, I don’t understand Lacymatics.”
Despite the inevitable obstacles and steep learning curve, Scott is determined to ‘get it right.’ Therefore, clubs can expect the York Sport handbook by mid-August, allowing vital pre-season preparations to be made, while Freshers will be made aware of the full panoply of sports on offer before arrival, aiding the process of recruitment.
But there must also be continuity; Scott intends to continue the rollout of black and gold kit colours, the initial resistance to their introduction having been overcome, and, most significantly, the unprecedented success enjoyed by York teams this year. “The excellent advances in BUCS aren’t down to us, they’re down to the individual clubs’ initiative,” admitted Scott, who served as a York Sport Ordinary Member this year.
“For instance, the rugby men’s firsts competing in the top division, hopefully they will not be relegated. The winning mentality doesn’t simply disappear overnight.”
Like many of her predecessors, Scott laments the late start to term which puts York at an immediate disadvantage, though hopefully better recruitment will limit the damage. So what else can we expect from her reign? The manifesto looks strong; continue improving media coverage – notably the York Sport show on YSTV, the only one of its kind in the UK – restoring Varsity to the calendar (Scott is meeting the incoming York St. John sports committee next week to start laying the foundations) and, of course, deliver a fourth successive Roses. “Lacy challenged me to win the tournament on the Friday, but this year was such an anti-climax. It will be much closer in 2010.”
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Anyone fancy publishing the college sport tables?