Candidate for the position of Vice President (Activities)

Image for Eleanor Humphrey

Eleanor Humphrey

Elections Personal Statement
1. Boost visibility and support for Societies and Sports.
• Establish a ‘Society & Sports Spotlight’ initiative on social media and Union channels, featuring different clubs and groups each week.
• Improve the visibility of sports and societies on the Union Website by making event listings and membership information more accessible.
• Provide skill-development workshops to boost employability while streamlining admin and improving support to reduce committee stress.

2. Bridge the gap between Performance and Non-Performance Sports.
• Introduce a ‘Sport Mentorship Scheme’ where experienced performance athletes provide guidance and training to non-performance athletes, helping them improve their skills and overall performance.
• Continue to develop recreational leagues and mixed-ability tournaments to allow non-performance players to enjoy competitive sports in an inclusive and fun environment.
• Ensure that non-performance sports clubs receive greater access to support such as coaching development and training access to ensure all clubs have opportunities to grow and succeed.

3. Enhance support and growth for Societies.
• Establish more frequent networking and collaboration events to encourage different societies to work together, enhancing student engagement and cross-promotion.
• Advocate for more accessible room booking processes and better storage solutions for societies to make event planning smoother and more efficient.
• Develop a clear recognition and rewards system to celebrate the hard work of society committees and members, motivating growth and long-term engagement.
As Futsal Coordinator for the past two years, I have played a key role in developing a strong and inclusive team culture that has not only benefited our squad but also inspired other teams to follow our lead. Since joining the club, we have achieved back-to-back promotions and now compete in the highest university league, BUCS Prem. A major focus of mine has been increasing female participation, encouraging many girls to take up the sport for the first time. Additionally, I have worked closely with Derby Futsal to strengthen the university-to-club pathway, providing players with more opportunities to develop beyond university-level competition. Through these efforts, I have helped create a positive and successful futsal environment that continues to grow.
Also, as Futsal Coordinator, I have worked to build a stronger sense of community at the university by creating a charity futsal tournament open to all students—something that had never been done before. This initiative has not only increased visibility for the sport, particularly for the women’s futsal club but has also brought people together from different backgrounds to engage in a fun and competitive environment. By making the tournament inclusive and accessible, I have helped introduce more students to futsal while fostering connections between players, teams, and supporters. This event has strengthened our university’s sporting community and will hopefully become a lasting tradition as an event that encourages both participation and support for futsal.
As an international student and scholar-athlete, I believe I will bring a unique perspective to the role as I understand first-hand the challenges students face when balancing academics, sports and society. After overcoming these challenges over the past three years, I am confident in representing students and advocating for their needs. Being on a committee I’ve developed essential skills in teamwork, organisation and leadership which has taught me to problem-solve and navigate various challenges. I have also worked closely with Team Derby and the Union to aid communication and strengthen student connections.
I am passionate about creating more opportunities for students to get involved in sports and societies. If elected, I will bring my experience, dedication, and enthusiasm to the role—ensuring we build a more connected, supported, and thriving student community.
Vote for me as your VP of Activities, and let’s make it happen together!