Two new University Softball Officers (USOs) have been appointed in the North of England – Tom Allen at Chester University (Warrington Campus) and Paul Richardson at Leeds Metropolitan University. They are the latest University Softball Officers who will be attempting to establish the sport at their places of study.
The USO role has been developed to support universities and their students in the creation of softball teams and programmes, and as an extra pair of hands for BSUK that can function as a game developer at educational institutions.
Luis Arrevillagas, BSUK's Regional Development Manager in the North West, said: “I am really happy with the two latest appointments. Tom and Paul are very keen students and softball players and their input into the development of the game at their universities will be invaluable.
“The USO programme, in my view, is an incredible opportunity for those students carrying out the role,” Luis added, “as it gives them the experience of working with many professional partners in the sport and the opportunity to develop a project, not only in something they enjoy doing but in something that will enhance their skills and ultimately enhance their CV. This is very much needed in today's climate when pursuing job opportunities once they finish university.”
Chester University
Tom Allen is in the third year of a Sport Development course at Chester University's Warrington campus and he had only played softball a few times at secondary school. But he saw the position advertised at the Freshers' Fair and decided to apply for it.
With nine halls of residence at the university, Tom believes he can enthuse students to play for their halls and compete against each other, while looking at inter-university play in the future.
Luis Arrevillagas commented, “The role at Chester University is particular interesting because Warrington City Council is really involved and is managing the volunteer opportunity, while BSUK is providing the sport-specific expertise and the university is supporting Tom via the Student Union and lecturers.”
Leeds Metropolitan University
Paul Richardson is studying to become a primary school teacher at Leeds Metropolitan University, and is a keen baseball player for the Newton Aycliffe Spartans as well as playing American Football. When Paul joined the BSUK Youth Panel and learned about the USO role, he immediately saw the opportunity and made some contacts with his university, who were very keen to have him on board.
Paul plans to introduce not only softball but baseball to the university's students and staff. Luis Arrevillagas said, “This role is hugely important as we have a local softball league (Leeds Softball Association) wishing to expand and this role may just help it to do that. And it will work both ways, by providing the university with an exit route for the players that become really interested in the sport.”
More universities
Only the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University currently play softball regularly in the North, with two teams playing in the autumn and two teams playing in the spring.
Hopefully, they will soon be joined by Chester and Leeds Metropolitan Universities, and there are three more universities looking to appoint a USO to develop the sports: the University of Central Lancashire, Edge Hill University and the University of Liverpool.
For more details about Tom Allen and Paul Richardson, see the BSUK Youth Panel page.