URN

Varsity Men's Basketball

The 2013 charity Varsity Basketball match between UoN (University Of Nottingham) and Trent was the first to be held in the Capital FM arena. Just over 2,000 spectators witnessed UoN win 83-70 after a pulsating 4th quarter.

The score line does not reflect the general play of the full match and Trent should feel rightly aggrieved with themselves after leading the tie after each of the first three quarters.

The first half was dominated by Trent star point guard JoJo Ansah. The 22 year old Ghanaian was playing in his fourth varsity series and is also a prominent figure of the Derby Trailblazers team. Nonetheless JoJo’s and Trent’s hold of the game began to unravel. In the second half he was guilty of overplaying, passing too late and gifting fouls to UoN.

UoN, who play in the midlands 1A league, had the players to capitalize on Trent’s errors. The Nigerian Small forward Ibey Ajgabe and Northern Irish shooting Guard Aaron Brown in particular were instrumental in the Uni fightback. From being down 8 points at the end of the quarter, UoN managed to win by 13 points in the decisive 4th quarter which also saw the crowd come into life.

University of Nottingham v Nottingham Trent

Location: Capital FM Arena. Face-off: 7:45pm, Monday 18 February.

On Monday evening in front of a sell-out crowd of over 7,000, the University of Nottingham are pitted against Nottingham Trent, winners of this event for the last 2 years, in the self-proclaimed “biggest Varsity Ice Hockey game outside North America”.

The history of the Varsity series owes everything to Nottingham Mavericks assistant coach Simon Hopkins. The Mavericks is a joint university Ice Hockey team, with students from Nottingham Trent and the University of Nottingham joining forces on the ice to compete as one team. Hopkins had the idea to split the roster into two, with the players representing their respective university teams in a game in which the proceeds would go to charity. The first event drew a crowd of just under 3,000 and has grown from strength to strength ever since. This year sees the University of Nottingham led onto the ice by their captain Oliver Glover who will be hoping to get one over captain of both the Mavericks and Trent Reece Clarke, who his aiming to win his second and Trent’s third title in a row.

Jack Maclaren, Michael Gaffney and Paul Millington headed down to the Capital FM Arena to speak to the players ahead of the all-important Varsity clash.

The University of Nottingham’s Women’s basketball team were looking for their first consecutive victory over Trent in the Varsity Series for over 7 years and there’s no doubt the brilliant crowds at the Capital FM Arena helped set the scene for a fantastic sporting spectacle.

Student Stories: My Anorexia

We're in the middle of eating disorder awareness week. All across the UK and The University of Nottingham campus there are events going on to raise awareness of just how prominent eating disorders are.

Eating Disorders affect 1.6 million people living in the UK and only one charity provides services for them. B-eat stands for beating eating disorders and they run a 24 hour helpline, online forums and invaluable self help groups for anyone affected. They aim to challenge the taboos of eating disorders and get people talking about the illness.

Two students here at the university of Nottingham who have both suffered from eating disorders spoke to us about their experiences. Jessica Moore has had anorexia for 7 years and Mel daggett has been suffering with anorexia which transformed into bulimia for 4 years.

Through their years here at university they have had to cope with deadlines, love lives and friendship dramas. All while having an eating disorder. They spoke to us honestly about juggling an illness that consumes their identity and trying to enjoy the university experience.

The Big Picture was presented this week by newcomer (to presenting) Elliot Johnson, with his beautiful assistant in producing, Louis Cotgrove. The first topic up for discussion was the upcoming controversial SU referendum on whether the SU should actively take a pro-choice stance on women's reproductive rights. The panel today was joined by Luke Mitchell, SU DemComms Officer, regular Lib-Dem panelist Seb Bench and Big Picture Elder, Jonnie Jenkin.

The next topic debated were the plans by the government to implement a high speed rail network, HS2, cutting the journeys between the North and South of the country by up to 90 minutes in some cases. Joining the panel was panel regular and presenter, Louis Cotgrove.

The final issue on tonight's show was the ever-ageing population of Great Britain and the measures being considered by the government to provide pensioners with pensions whilst simultaneously keeping costs as low as possible.

Well done to Elliot on his first show as presenter!