As sports and well-being officer, my main focus will be on enhancing students physical strength, emotional and mental health well-being which together will prepare and promote a healthy living as students whiles achieving academic excellence that prepare students for the job market. As a volunteer to BD2025 UK City of Culture and during Bradford Light Up event November 2023, I gained customer services experience serving the community during the fast-fast show event at Bradford College by receiving and answering questions, meeting and directing people to find various event points and centers. As a mental health in Construction Ambassador and speak to companies and individual attendees during London Build Expo every year, discussing and promoting mental health well-being to construction direct and indirect employees is equally match by my experience as I stand for mental health well-being of individuals and employees. Last but not the least, as a volunteer to British Red Cross I promote and create awareness to students about kindness, community engagement and well-being to support vulnerable student's and local community. Finally, as a sport personality and member of Bradford Volleyball Club, I deem it high to exhibit my intrinsic knowledge and skills developing student's interest in various sporting clubs not only for pleasure, but also enhancing physical ability and mental health well-being. As a sports and well-being officer, my ideas will enclave promoting the essence of indulging in sporting activities as students and it's health wise to the body. Also I will improve students mental well-being through community engagement on well-being walk activity providing physical strength, mental and emotional intelligence as students whiles achieving academic excellence. The disabled students are not left out, where various indoor games and sporting activities will be organized among societies to also help them have retentive memories and achieve mental well-being and self involvement, actualization and belonging.
 

"Improving student life at the university is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive approach. I am particularly passionate about enhancing student engagement, focusing on sports, wellbeing, and creating a supportive environment that addresses the unique challenges students face today.
I believe (and research agrees) that Sports and focus on wellbeing are integral to student happiness and engagement. These aspects not only contribute to physical health but also significantly impact mental well-being. My goal is to showcase and promote sports and wellbeing as fundamental components of student life, creating a vibrant and active campus community.
Promoting diversity and inclusion – I want to foster a warm, welcoming and inclusive sports community that will celebrate the diversity of our students and encourages participation from those of all backgrounds. I want to encourage the formation of sports clubs which are inclusive and supportive of underrepresented groups.
Work with the university and local community to increase the sports facilities available to the students at the union. These investments into sports will mean we can upgrade the sporting facilities.
I was someone who actively got engaged in sports even though I started University during Covid and I have noticed a decline in engagement, as echoed by discussions with union staff. Understanding the reasons behind this drop in engagement is crucial. I am committed to conducting thorough dialogue with students to identify the challenges and work collaboratively to find effective solutions. Whether it's adapting to post-pandemic changes or addressing specific concerns, my aim is to reignite the enthusiasm for sports and student activities.
Recognising the impact of the cost-of living crisis and ongoing global conflicts, student wellbeing must be at the forefront of our efforts. I intend to make student wellbeing a central focus of my role. This involves implementing events and initiatives that provide financial and mental health support. Whether through workshops, working with the counselling services, or financial assistance, my aim is to ensure that students feel supported and equipped to navigate both the academic and personal challenges they may face.
Supporting students financially doesn’t start and end at providing them with money. We need to support students and equip them with skills that will help them address the financial challenges they are being faced with. This may include workshops on budgeting, financial planning, and resources for financial assistance. Additionally, mental health support events, such as wellness seminars and counselling sessions, will contribute to a more resilient and mentally healthy student body.
In summary, my focus is on revitalizing student engagement in sports, promoting overall wellbeing, and providing tangible support in the face of current challenges. By understanding the factors contributing to low engagement and actively addressing them, we can create a university environment where students not only thrive academically but also enjoy a fulfilling and supportive overall experience. My extensive involvement in various sports and leadership roles, both within the university and the broader community, uniquely positions me for this nomination. Currently serving as the Sports Committee Chair, and having held the role of Equestrian President for two years, I bring a wealth of experience and insights that directly align with the challenges and opportunities within the university's sports community.
Being the Chair of Sports Committee I gained a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics within the sports community. This role has allowed me to oversee and collaborate with various sports executives, providing me with valuable insights into the diverse needs and challenges faced by different sports clubs.
Serving as the Equestrian President for two years has not only demonstrated my commitment to the sport but has also honed my leadership skills. The leadership roles have taught me • Inclusivity - how to ensure that we can open up the sports to everyone
• Recruitment - how to encourage more people to come to riding and to get involved with the sports of which I am advertising
• Organisation - how to keep organised with the planning for multiple events all going on at once and how to ensure that each event happens successfully
• How the sports works - especially in regards to the BUCS system so we can work together to increase engagements and get other events for sports going
• Marketing - how important it is to market the sessions and what marketing can do for each sport - I have also worked for a year as a marketing assistant at a FTSE350 company so I have got good experience and knowledge on how to effectively market and how we could use social media to our benefit.
In addition to my presidency in equestrian, I have actively contributed to the sports community by holding executive positions in netball and climbing. This diverse portfolio has exposed me to various organisational structures, challenges, and successes across different sports, enhancing my ability to understand and address the unique needs of each club.
My willingness to try various sports and attend numerous sports events has provided me with a holistic perspective on how sports operate within the university. This first-hand experience has equipped me with a keen awareness of what currently works well and, crucially, what doesn't. I am confident in my ability to leverage this knowledge to implement positive changes that benefit all sports and enhance the overall sports experience for students.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with sports executives is paramount in fostering effective collaboration. My existing connections within the sports community position me to work closely with sports executives from the outset, ensuring a collaborative and cohesive approach to addressing the challenges faced by various sports clubs.
Outside of the Union and University I am a swimming instructor, this role has taught me how sporting establishments outside the University works and has taught me of some changes that can be made in the Union that will propel the Union further when it comes to sports. "I propose enhancing the accessibility of sports and wellbeing facilities. This involves streamlining processes for students to access sports facilities. By simplifying procedures and increasing awareness of available services, we can ensure that students can easily engage in activities that contribute to their physical and mental well-being.
Recognising the crucial role that our student execs in shaping student experience, I aim to establish a support system that makes it easier for execs to access help and resources. This includes providing tailored training, mentorship programs, and a dedicated support network to empower executives in effectively managing their roles.
To make sports accessible, I propose introducing direct debit options for students. This will allow students to spread the cost over time, ensuring that financial constraints are not a barrier to participation. A more flexible payment structure will contribute to greater inclusivity and engagement.
Acknowledging the stress that students often experience, I advocate for the establishment of quiet rooms on campus. These spaces will provide students with a dedicated area to take a break, relax, and rejuvenate. Recognizing the importance of mental health, these rooms will contribute to a supportive environment that values the well-being of every student.
I believe in fostering an environment of teamwork and leadership within our sports community. To achieve this, I will invest in students on our sports teams by offering coaching and training programs. This includes access to fitness and nutrition resources, providing opportunities to develop valuable soft skills that extend beyond the sports arena. Additionally, I will create pathways for students to take on leadership roles within sports clubs, offering training and resources to support their overall development.
Encouraging sports teams and clubs to engage with the wider community is crucial for building positive relationships and enhancing the sense of belonging. I propose facilitating volunteer work and outreach activities, not only within the university but also in collaboration with local communities. This can include playing against local teams, fostering a sense of community beyond the university campus and BUCS competitions.

 

Convincing people to work on their fitness, considering there is a gym(unique fitness) that offers discounts for students. National hockey player and currently playing club and university hockey having students from the green and IQ compete in sporting activities, each flat like goldfinch/valor etc will make a team. I think this will better improve the interactions between students and also improve fitness of each individual
 

To improve student life at the university, these will be my touchpoints;
Through personal research by studying the union's website, searching through Instagram and other social media channels and inquiries from students, there are currently 30 sports clubs in the University of Bradford but less than 15% of international students are actively involved. Given our university's substantial international student population, it is important to showcase diversity not only academically but also through extracurricular activities. Through the inclusion of international culturally relatable sports such as ayo/mancala, oware, jujskei and kabaddi, the journey of joining the sports community will be easier.
There is a need to make the sports community an even playing field for students of all races, genders, identities and sizes across all sports clubs, and this I will be working on, to foster an environment of inclusion, acceptance, unity and fairness within the sports community. Everyone deserves a shot at sports.
The University of Bradford pushes for an even playing field and makes this clear through different means, so why should the sports environment be different? Fostering an environment of inclusion, acceptance, and fairness within the sports community will allow for an inclusive and vibrant community and I pledge to make that happen.
Additionally, while initiatives like Turn up and Play are commendable, one can’t go ahead to actively join any sports club without having to pay between £70 - £100 and for students who sponsor themselves or have more pressing needs, this is almost impossible to pay, hence crushing the desire to join a sports club. Alternative payment options such as paying in instalments or direct debit need to be offered to accommodate diverse financial situations and this I will work on to make a reality.
  I am actively engaged as the welfare secretary of the Nigerian Students Society, a students rep, and the president of the Creators Club and I will be highlighting the experiences and lessons learnt and also their relevance to my nomination.

As the president of the Creators Club, my team and I have executed content tasks for both societies and the union which have been recognized as unique and creative. Our socials, having only been opened in December, currenly boasts of 1,000 views on reels and at least one new follower everyday. I have also successfully put together a community of content lovers from different countries, which keeps on growing. Experiences gotten here being content creation, community building and inclusion is one I will definitely be applying throughout my strategies as Sports and Wellbeing Officer.
Additionally, as the welfare secretary of the Nigerian Students Society and a Students Rep, I have gotten to understand people and wellbeing. I have become a listening ear and have made people comfortable talking to me with the conviction that I will help alleviate the situation. An initiative I set up was a collaboration with NSS and the current Wellbeing officer for members of the NSS to come have a wellness day, free massage, free food, free cloth and hearty conversations and we recorded a turnout of 25 people. Also, my fellow execs and I organized a live viewing of the AFCON finals which recorded a turnout of 200 people and helped strengthen the bond over football. These initiatives I intend on carrying along into my role as Sports and Wellbeing Officer.
Finally, before coming to the University of Bradford and having played volleyball, I will be using my understanding of sports coupled with extra research to navigate this new terrain. Also, I ran a games/ sports company where I organized monthly games tournaments and match viewing and so the understanding of tournament organization, project management, funds generation and management skills will be a bonus for me in navigating this role successfully. "To improve UBU's student experience, I will be initiating these;
1. More collaboration between sports, societies and faculties through UOB OLYMPICS, a yearly competition among societies and faculties. Sporty and non-sporty games (sack race, lime and spoon, middleman, arm wrestle, red light green light…) will be played and there will be gold, silver and bronze positions.
2. GAME DAY, smaller pockets of games events quarterly in a bid to foster relationships and the competitive spirit
3. Disability sports like Boccia, wheelchair curling to allow for inclusion of students with disabilities by working closely with the Disabilities Officer
4. Free group exercises and fun runs to be carried out every month to build fitness, in collaboration with Unique Fitness.
5. Collaborations with UOB Well to organize WELLNESS DAY, bi-monthly sessions for hearty conversations in a safe space and cozy environment with free massages, free food and free clothes.
6. Revival, revamping and rebranding of the UBU Sport's social pages. Engaging content, highlight reels of events/ matches, reward and recognition schemes such as ‘Athlete of the Month’, ‘Fast Rising Sportsman/ woman’ and ‘Newbie of the Month’ will be impleted as videos, pictures and graphics.

 

I give my best to attract all student towards sports activities because alot of students are international and some of the students are good players in their home country and i will encourage them as leader . Well, i have no previous experience in it but i have confidence to do this . Same , i will interact students toward sports and activities.