Monash Sport's Social Sport Program Continues to Grow

Professor David Copolov OAM - Pro Vice-Chancellor presented the medals to the 2014 winners of the Monash Social Sport competition.

Professor Copolov and Brett Lavale with winners of the 2014 Semester 2 Social Sport Competition.

Professor Copolov spoke as he presented the awards, commenting on the invaluable employability skills students gain from participating in team sports, such as discipline, perseverance, determination, team work, selflessness and resilience.

Driector of Monash Sport, Brett Lavale, presented the awards with Professor Copolov.

"Sport and recreation is an important part of campus life and the student experience at Monash University," said Mr Lavale.

"In 2014, over 500 teams comprising of approximately 4,000 student participants competed in the Monash Sport Social Sport programs in a variety of sports including basketball netball, futsal and dodgeball."


Monash Sport's Social Sport Program continues to grow with over 3,000 participants per semester this year. 

532 teams participated in social sport competitions in 2014, including our Summer, Semester One, Semester Two competitions, Monash Games, Champions League, MRS competition and the Postgraduate Competition.

Each year Monash Sport celebrates Social Sport with our annual Monash Games event where students and staff from all Victorian Monash Campuses to compete together over one week in July in futsal, netball, basketball and dodgeball competitions.

Monash Games is now in its ninth year, and had 75 teams with over 600 students competing this year.

Growth in our SWAP programs

Monash Sport has seen large growth in our SWAP programs, with the amount of programs jumping from 102 programs in 2013, to 135 in 2014.

Our 2014 program has seen 9,546 SWAP program attendances to date.

The SWAP (Staff Wellbeing and Activity Program) program is run with Wellbeing at Monash, and provides staff at Monash University the opportunities to get active in a group activity during the work day.

The program includes yoga, pilates, boxing and many other sports and activities.

Research by the Baker IDI institute has shown that excessive sitting has adverse effects on a person's health. Excessive sitting has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. source

By participating in exercise during the work day through a SWAP program, Monash University staff are able to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting and physically inactive during the work day.

More information on our SWAP programs can be found here. 
 

Monash University Staff enjoy an outdoor SWAP program.

Exams and VC Distinguished Alumni Event hosted at Monash Sport

Monash Sport had the pleasure of hosting two major events, utilising our space in a new way.

Events hosted were the Semester 1 and Semester 2 exams, and the Vice Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni Event.

These events showcase the diversity of Monash Sports spaces to host a wide variety of events.

Set up for  end of semester exams

Set up underway for the Vice Chancellor's Distinguished Alumni

Global Events Hosted at Monash Sport

In October and November, Monash Sport was proud to host a couple of events organised by Wellbeing at Monash.


The events were also hosted in conjunction with TeamMONASH and included the Semester 2 Global Walk/Run, and the 10,000 Steps celebration lunch.


Over 300 Monash University staff registered for the Global Walk/Run, and another 300 registering for the celebration lunch.

The 10,000 Steps event was launched earlier this semester with the Global Walk/Run, hosted by Monash Sport.

Participants enjoyed getting active with zumba, tunnel ball and walking activities.


Vice-Chancellor Margaret Gardener attended the celebration lunch, commending Monash University staff on their participation in the 10,000 Steps event, and highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

One of Monash Sport's teams, She's Got Legs, took out the top prize for completing the challenge first at Clayton in the 10,000 Steps event.

Vice Chancellor Margaret Gardener with representatives from Monash Sport's winning Clayton 10,000 Steps Team

Vice Chancellor Margaret Gardener with the overall winners of the 10,000 Steps competition

Participants at the Semester 2 Walk/Run

Participants at the Semester 2 Walk/Run enjoying a game of tunnel ball

Facility Improvement projects at Monash Sport

2014 has been a busy year at Monash Sport, with many facility improvement projects undertaken and completed in the year.

Projects have been made possible thanks to SSAF funding, operational funds, or a mixture of both.

See below our list of facility improvement projects for 2014 that are either completed or will be completed by years end:

Projects funded in part or in whole by SSAF funding:

- External Presentation Stage and Courtyard (Clayton)
- Club Lockers (x10) (Clayton)
- Key Locker System (Clayton)
- The Doug Ellis Pool Refurbishment (Clayton)
- Change Room Refurbishment (Caulfield)
- Lockers and Bike Repairs station to Velipod (Peninsula)
- Mobile Phone Chargebars (Peninsula)
- Light Towers to Oval 1 (Clayton)
- Green View Room (Clayton)

Operational funded improvements

- Lift Installation (Clayton)
- H&F Centre expansion - old cycle studio space (Clayton)
- Dedicated Cycle Studio (Clayton)
- New Multi Purpose Room (old common room, Clayton)
- Park Bench/Spectator Seating to Oval 1 (Clayton)
- Change Room Refurbishment (Clayton)
- Sports Court Resurfacing (Clayton)
- Equipment Upgrades (all 3 Fitness Centres)


Thanks to all the projects that went ahead in 2014, Monash Sport looks forward providing a further improves health and fitness environment in 2015.
 

Our Outdoor Presentation Space

The Doug Ellis Swimming Pool

Female Change Rooms at Clayton

Opening of the new lift in the Fitness Centre at Clayton

The Doug Ellis Swimming Pool Reopened

On Thursday 30 October, after an intensive four months of refurbishments the Doug Ellis Swimming Pool was re-opened for use by the Monash University community.

The refurbishment project saw a new roof put on over the pool, addressing ongoing maintenance defects associated with the ageing pool roof.

The reopened Doug Ellis Swimming Pool

The project also upgraded the air handling systems to increase air circulation and customer and staff comfort in the pool hall, and much more, to provide an enhanced aquatic environment.
 
The Doug Ellis Swimming Pool sees approximately 140,000 sets of feet walk through it's doors each year, and we are extremely excited to share what feels like our brand new aquatics facilities with staff at Monash University.

Looking after programs run in the pool is almost exclusively Monash University students, we employ approximately 50 Monash University students as swimming instructors, lifeguards and customer service officers, making the Doug Ellis Swimming Pool a real Monash community.

The Doug Ellis Swimming Pool has over 900 students enrolled in our Learn to Swim program - one of the largest in Melbourne. Additionally, we teach over 500 Monash University students to learn to swim each year.

We will formally open the pool later this year, but in the meantime make sure you check out the new space, before work is a great time to go for a casual swim as there is generally more lap lanes available. 

For up to date lap lane availability, please see our website.

Footy Colours Day at Monash Sport

To celebrate the end of the AFL football season, Monash Sport hosted Footy Colours Day, an informal celebration and experience opportunity for Monash students and staff to learn a thing or two about AFL, listen to live music and enjoy a free BBQ.

 A gold coin donation was collected in support of the Fight Cancer Foundation, which provide educational opportunities and support for children with cancer.

Over 200 people were in attendance, with most sporting their favourite football colours, and a great time was had by all.

Competitions on the day included: Handball target, goal kicking, longest kick and a vertical jump test.

Rebel Sport gift vouchers were awarded for best dressed, winners of the football skills competitions and spot prizes were handed out and appreciated by the winners.

Monash Sport looks forward to hosting Footy Colours Day again in 2015.