With more than 21,000 Edinburgh University students participating in sport each week, the Sports Union has a huge role to play in connecting athletes, clubs, facilities, and so much more. For President-elect Connie Chen, sport has been at the heart of her time at university — she has served as Athletics Captain, played intramural volleyball, and has taken up even more in her time at Edinburgh.
“I wouldn’t be here without sport,” she tells me as we sit down in Pleasance Café. One of her reasons for running to be President was just how much the SU has given her: “In my first year I was scared of meeting new people, and I was really lucky to meet my friends through sport.” Connie has taken on several roles, most recently as the SU Exec Media Officer: “The SU means so much to me. I just wanted the opportunity to do the same for someone else.” On a personal level, to be the first Asian or Chinese SU President is something she hopes will inspire others: “My experience could resonate with people, and if that pushes someone to get involved, then it’s worth it.”
Taking over in June, the next year is sure to be a busy one for Connie — 43 per cent of Edinburgh students are involved in sport, meaning that her role takes a lot of day-to-day work: “There’s so much going on behind the scenes that people don’t see. The priority has to be making sure things are running as smoothly as possible — only about five per cent of the job is implementing new things.”
Nevertheless, there is a certain type of leader Connie hopes to be during her tenure: “As President I bring team spirit and communication, and I want to shed a light on the wider community. Having been part of different clubs, I have so much respect for athletes and players. I know how much work they put in, and it’s an amazing thing to celebrate at uni.”
This doesn’t only apply to club sport — with a booming community of intramural teams, she hopes to give that side of the SU a bigger platform. One way the SU is doing this is with the Intramural All-Stars competition on Wednesday 1st April. The best intramural players will face club athletes across a variety of sports, which Connie says, “should be a really exciting day for everyone.” IM sport is a great way to get involved in Edinburgh sport on a more relaxed level, Connie reiterates: “I play for the Medics volleyball team myself; I’m not even a medic, but they’re the most amazing people ever.”
For those who aren’t yet involved in the sporting community at Edinburgh, she stresses how enriching it can be: “Sport at Edinburgh didn’t just help me with physical health, but my mental health. It can do so much for you without you knowing, and that’s so powerful.” She also makes sure to note that regardless of level, sport at university always puts an emphasis on fun, and that the SU is made up of passionate students.
Although she takes over in June, preparations have already begun for Connie. At the time of writing, she has just met with Liv Stevens, from whom she takes over in June: “We’ve just had our first meeting, so I’m starting to feel the pressure, but it’s very exciting — it’s surreal.” In a year’s time, Connie hopes to have shown that the SU is truly a space for students: “It’s really important to be amongst people, be present, and be visible. It’s important as President for people to know you.” To be approachable, regardless of your involvement in sport, is paramount: “Success to me would mean, at the end of my term, that people can just come to my office and say ‘Connie, I’ve got a question for you’. I love the SU; I want to share that love with other people.”
Connie makes it clear that the SU isn’t just an organisation, but a group of passionate students with a love for sport. Whether you’re an elite athlete, a casual intramural player, or just remotely interested in sport at Edinburgh, Connie and the Sports Union will champion it.
Images courtesy of Connie Chen.