URN

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!

The 2013 Students' Union elections kick off today, with 45 candidates (up from 37 last year) in the running for the various full-time positions, paid to represent your views.

Here is the list of candidates in the running.

President

• Anil Parmar (Students' Union Finance & Services Officer)
• Ellie McWilliam (Week One Exec)
• Gurneet Singh (Ex-NUS Delgate)
• Johnny Lawrence (Week One Rep)
• Luke Mitchell (Students' Union Democracy & Communications Officer)
• Shehroze Khan (NUS Delegate)
• The Dark Knight (Batman)
• Tom van Wesseldine (NUFC)
• Will Clempner (Karni Exec)

Education Officer

• Dasha Karzunina (Ex-Faculty Coordinator)
• Fady Atia
• Jack Law
• James Ince (7Legged Exec)
• Niralini Thayaparan
• Tien Dung Nguyen (DofE society)
• Tyler O'Sullivan (School Education Rep)

Activities Officer

• Anoushka Nayee
• Ben Malone (Head of Music at URN)
• Emma-Louise Amanshia (New Theatre Exec)
• Ryan Holmes (President of Politics Soc)
• Will Knapp (Karni Exec)

Sports Officer (previously Athletic Union Officer)

• Jamie Sims (Rugby President)
• Tom Hicks (IMS Tennis)