Coinciding with Freshers Fairs across the three main Nottingham Trent University campuses this week, we’re handing the Sports section over to several of NTU’s amazing sports clubs.
We start today with Men’s Rugby Union, who are one of the most popular and successful clubs at NTU, boasting nearly 300 members.
Based primarily at Lady Bay, where they share facilities and have very close links with the RFU Championship’s Nottingham Rugby Club, the boys in pink have an excellent reputation across university-level rugby.
The club’s head of Marketing and Communications, Ben Rippingale, gave us the full lowdown of what prospective new members should know.
Q: Who are your key committee members?
A: Ben Mishan – President (of JWHOP fame)
Paul Bendall – Treasurer
Ed Mallaband – Secretary
Flynn Anderson – Social and Well-being Secretary
Bertie Wotton – Social and Well-being Secretary
Ben Rippingale – Marketing and Communications
Q: How many teams do you have?
A: We have ten teams across NTU.
Five who play in the BUCS (British University and Colleges Sport) competition and five who play in the IMS (Intramural Sport) league around Nottingham.
So, everyone gets the chance to play and represent their university.
Q: When and where do you play?
A: We play on a Wednesday like all other sports.
Games are in and around the city centre and often the BUCS teams travel away to other cities to play different universities.
Q: What did you achieve in 2021-22?
A: 2021-22 was a big year for Trent rugby with our first XV finishing 3rd overall in their league.
We also brought home multiple bits of silverware with a dominant season from our fifth XV, who won the Midlands 2 BUCS league, and one of our IMS teams winning their plate final.
Q: What are your main aims for this year?
A: This year we aim to continue our streak of good fortune and bring home some more silverware for the cabinet.
We also want to put the Trent Rugby name out there as a society that is open to all players of all abilities.
This year we’ve set up a mental health support group for any lads who want to reach out for a friendly face if they ever have any issues.
Finally, we have a huge year with some class socials lined up for the boys.
Q: If you had to sum up what you offer to members in three words, what would it be?
A: Inclusivity, sportsmanship, fun.
So, what better reason is there to get involved?
Whether you’re looking to get into the professional ranks of the game, or playing just for fun, NTU Men’s Rugby Union has a number of options for you.
The expertise and links of the Head of Rugby, David Ross, are invaluable, while the facilities and staff at Lady Bay are incredible for university rugby.
Membership for the full academic year costs £150 for new students and £130 for returning students.
Even more details are available on the dedicated NTU Men’s Rugby Union page here.