annual report 2008 5897_MUS_08AR_FA.indd 1 23/6/09 4:02:46 PM melbourne university sport staff team Melbourne University Sport SPRC Mr Alex Affleck Prof Field Rickards (Chair) Mr Jean-Luc Garlick Prof Meg Morris Mr Rod Warnecke Mr Garry Thomson Ms Kirstie Dench Dr Peter Hertan Dr Danielle White Mr Alex Affleck Ms Rechelle Martinez Fr Bill Uren Mr Manfred Lewandowski Mr Josh Cusack Mr Tim Dolphin Mr Paul Fijn Mr Ian Wright Mr Marcus King Mr Kon Kakris Ms Margot Foster Mr James Garland Mr Alf Lazer Mr Chris Stark Ms Cheryl McKinna Mr Steven Tilburn Mr Jeremy Welton Ms Jen Eslick Mr Hamish McLean Mr Quan Doan Ms Liz Rogers Ms Louise Saracino Mr Tom McNamara Mr Lew Smith Mr Donny Blackie MUSA Executive Ms Ange La Scala President, Marcus King – Tennis Mr Craig Bamford Honorary Secretary, Cindy McTrusty – Ski Mrs Julie Caundle Honorary Treasurer, Alf Lazer – Athletics Ms Elizabeth Tregoning Vice-President, Liz Rogers – Underwater Ms Carmel Bello Vice-President, Joseph Amin – Cycling Member, Clement Poh – Tai Chi/Wushu Blues Advisory Board Member, Peter Tregear – Athletics Marcus King – Chair Member, Anna McKenzie – Boat Cheryl McKinna – Basketball Peter Hone – Rugby Union Jason D’Cruz – Swimming Fiona Brown – Netball Tony Steele – Squash, Cricket Cindy McTrusty – Ski Iain Scott – Soccer “enriching the Melbourne Experience” 2 5897_MUS_08AR_FA.indd 2 23/6/09 4:02:56 PM director’s report An Olympic year usually brings great excitement to sports In December 2008 the University Colleges were the residential enthusiasts. At the University, we followed with great interest the hosts for teams competing in the Homeless World Cup Soccer endeavours of those Olympians with a University of Melbourne tournament. MUS hosted team training sessions on the University connection. In total, 14 members of the Australian Olympic Team Hockey pitch. had connections to the University as students, Alumni or Club In 2008 MUS forecast a Budget deficit of $500,000. However, members. While their efforts will be detailed later in this report through careful cost containment and improved revenue from I would like to highlight the gold medal winning performance of Fitness memberships and facility hire we ended the year with an David Crawshay (Alumna – Arts, with Honours) in the Men’s Pair improved deficit position of $162,862. Double Scull, the silver medal winning performance of Cameron There was much talk in 2008 of the introduction of Federal McKenzie-McHarg (Alumna – Science) and James Marburg (Boat legislation to allow Universities to charge a Student Service and Club Member) as part of the Men’s Four. Amenity Fee in 2009. It is hoped that this fee will enable the A great deal of work was done in 2008 to address the Melbourne University to direct some additional funding to MUS and we await University Sport governance arrangements. It was determined the outcome with great anticipation. that MUS would report directly to the Provost from mid 2008. I would like to conclude my report by acknowledging the support This change in reporting lines elevated MUS and recognised its of many people who have been dedicated to improving the important role as a part of many student’s ‘Melbourne Experience’. position of Sport and Recreation at the University. They include: These important changes in reporting lines and the appointment • The staff at Melbourne University Sport of the Board of MUS reflect an ongoing commitment to the value • Members of the Sports and Physical Recreation Committee, the and position of sport and recreation within the University. It was Executive and Council of the Sports Association also determined that MUS would become a semi-autonomous • The voluntary committee members of the Clubs, and their team body within the University with a Board of Management. In June, Managers and Coaches the long standing Sports and Physical Recreation Committee • The Managers and Coaches of the teams who make up Team (SPRC) met for the last time, and I would like to thank the hard Melbourne at Australian University Sport events working members of the SPRC for all their efforts in passionately • Peter McPhee and other members of the University senior supporting sport and recreation at the University. executive for their continued support and recognition of the Our proud sporting history was evidenced by being crowned contribution that sport and recreation makes to the University. 2008 Australian University Sport Overall Champions. Melbourne Sport and recreation continues to be an important component University won an outstanding ten titles at the Australian University of many students’ lives. We look forward to developing and Games, which were held in Melbourne. A further four Australian improving our programs and services so that the next generation University Championships were won by Team Melbourne across of Melbourne students have the opportunity to experience the the year. These results further reflect the talent of sportsmen and benefits associated with a world class University. sportswomen within the student cohort. Alex Affleck – Director The Melbourne University Sports Association’s (MUSA) 39 active sports Clubs were heavily involved in student life by continuing to provide participation opportunities for over 5000 members. For many, involvement in these sports Clubs is an important part of the “student experience” providing a strong link between current students and Alumni. Our sporting Clubs also provided many students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills by undertaking leadership roles within the Clubs. The Fitness Centre continued to provide excellent opportunities for students, staff and other members of the University community to reach their personal health and fitness goals. During peak Semester periods, there were close to 5000 active members using the facilities. New programs such as ‘MUS Boot Camp’ were received enthusiastically, while the Group Fitness program continued its popularity with an attendance of slightly less than 45,000 across the year. In the same successful trend, the Beaurepaire Centre’s pool attracted over 55,000 visits in 2008. Throughout the year planning was underway for two major Capital projects. When completed the new Oval Pavilion will provide an excellent changeroom and ‘Clubhouse’ facility for Football, Cricket, Hockey, Athletics and Tennis, while the extension to the Boat House will provide additional storage space for boats. The Boat House will also welcome a new function space, which will free up room for Boat Club member’s ‘dry-land’ training. It is anticipated that these two projects will be completed in 2010. 1 5897_MUS_08AR_FA.indd 3 23/6/09 4:02:57 PM programs & services Group Fitness and Short Courses Pull specifically designed to enhance the training benefits of our rowing-minded athletes. These upgrades were all a part of our 2008 was another fantastic year for Group Fitness with 2,663 continual replacement policy, which aims to replace all significant classes hosted with a grand total of 48,711 participating in our items every 4 years. As such, our goal is to maintain the highest classes across the board. standard of equipment possible in our facilities. We launched our new Les Mills program ‘Body Attack’, which took Thank you and congratulations to all the Strength and Fitness gym off in the popularity stakes. The low choreography/high intensity staff for making 2008 another successful year and Melbourne of this particular style of class also enticed a wide variety of University Sport an enjoyable and rewarding environment to work in. members to attend. The East Stadium, Lazer room, Mind Body studio, Cycling studio and Cardio Box studio housed our Group Kon Kakris – Fitness Centre Manager Fitness Programs for 2008, which included a variety of programs from Freestyle classes to Body Pump, Body Step, Hip Hop, Aquatics Cycling, Cardio Box, Yoga and Pilates. 2008 saw a successful year at the Beaurepaire Pool. Due to Both Semester 1 and Semester 2 showed consistent attendance another hot summer impacting training venues, Clubs again in all classes with our Tri (freestyle) classes showing a great used the pool as a cross training alternative. The pool was used improvement in numbers throughout the year. Body Pump extensively by various clubs and external groups including: The continued to be our strongest program with Body Step and Body Underwater Club, Football Teams, Cricket Club, Rugby club, Attack a close second. Water polo club, various On-Campus Colleges, Carlton Football Group Fitness Short Courses were also offered again this year Club, and several secondary schools. with a number of them running during Semester 1 and 2. We The introduction of ‘Propulsion Aquatics’ Junior Swim programme offered programs such as Karate/Kickboxing, Cardio Box and proved popular with numbers increasing steadily throughout the Yoga with a number of exciting new programs joining the Short year. Short Courses such as Adult Learn to Swim operated during Courses in 2009. Semesters, while Private Lessons were popular for both beginner Your support in 2008 has been overwhelming and we look forward swimmers and those seeking stroke correction to improve to seeing you with an exciting and extended Group Fitness swimming efficiency. timetable in 2009. Operational and EHS practices continue to evolve, allowing a consistent level of service and water quality to be provided. Pool Ange La Scala – Group Fitness Coordinator operations ran smoothly with no major faults or breakdowns to equipment. Strength and Fitness Gym Craig Bamford – Aquatics Coordinator The Strength and Fitness gym in 2008 had another very successful year. The highlights include the welcoming of another Campus Sport – 2,059 newly authorised new users to the gym and an immensely Lunchtime Fun with Friends successful launch of the Boot Camp program. We also worked collaboratively with Counselling Services to initiate the ‘Shift Your Campus Sport continued to develop and supply opportunities for Mood’ programme: a group for students wanting to improve their students and staff to get active and be involved in a fun lunchtime mood, wellbeing and capacity to learn through exercise.