University of Gloucestershire Badminton player Libby Wood hasn’t had the perfect start to her second year of on court action. The closure last month of GL1 Leisure Centre and Oxstalls Sports Centre was due to the trust who ran the site, The Aspire Leisure and Cultural Trust, being £500k in debt.
The site is still mostly closed to the public, however funding used primarily for keeping the contract for another year, was alternatively used to keep some of the pitches and courts open to sports clubs, which meant Wood and her fellow teammates were able to train regularly once again. However, Wood reiterated that it was a far from ideal start to the university season.
“Our training timetable was messed around three or four times, so people weren’t turning up for training, or turning up on wrong days, because no one knew what was going on.
“The Leisure Centre was shut for a week, so that meant we couldn’t train for any of our games. I’m also Marketing Manager, so I’m responsible for putting out training times, and when you don’t have the right information, and you’re new to the role, that can be quite stressful!”
Last year, UOG’s badminton sides had differing fortunes against the University of Worcester, with the men’s side losing 5-3, however UOG’s women triumphed with a reverse of that scoreline. Megan Williams, Mimi Horne, Izzy Bryant, Sophie Clark, Wood and her doubles partner Nikita Lobo secured the Varsity points for Gloucester.
“It was great, we were the first out of badminton to win points for Varsity, it was so nice to be a part of that. I was still quite new to the sport!” Wood explained.
The 20-year-old only started playing the sport last year, and explained what she needs to work on for the season ahead.
“On the court, I need to improve on footwork. I’m a doubles player, I don’t play singles. To be a good player, you need good footwork. Coming in at this level, it’s hard to be at the same level as everyone else!
“In relation to my marketing role, because I’m on the committee now, I want to keep posts uniform, eye catching, easy to read. I would love us to be awarded best marketed club of the year” Wood said.
And like all University sports, the social element can be very worthwhile when trying to make friends, through different nights out and events throughout the year. Wood was very grateful to this, stating:
“Badminton has been one of the easiest sports to get to know people, within the first couple of days I had made lifelong friends.
“I wasn’t made to feel out of place, wasn’t made to feel I wasn’t good at the sport. We’re like a big family. I would recommend it, and the social side of it is lovely.” Wood concluded.
UOG Women’s first team look to build on their opening win of the season, as they beat Cardiff 7-1, with a trip to Bristol Women Seconds, on Wednesday November 1.
Follow the live blog here: https://uogjmag.co.uk/category/live-sports-blog/
