Season Review 2018/19

Greetings one and all, unfortunately it is that time of year where we have to say goodbye to another season of korfball. However, it does mean you get to read me ramble on like an old man.

23rd September: Fresher's Fair. The time of year where trying not to cry over the number of times you have to say "it's a mixed gender sport a bit like basketball and netball" is rewarded hopefully with a sea of new faces. Did it work? Yes! We had a whole batch of lovely new people turn up for the taster session and we even manage to get enough for a second BUCS team #smashedit

Now that we had a team we quickly got to work trying to get you to understand that actually korfball is nothing like netball and basketball and that your mind was about to be blown for the next month whilst you learnt the ropes. In amongst this the NEKL kicked off with Uni 1 taking on Titans and we picked up where we left off in that regard losing another NEKL fixture but it was a turning point and only three of last years regulars were playing so not bad at all.

We decided to give Uni 2 its first run out in a battle of the freshers with Northumbria. Rocking our shiny new red squad kit, the "newbies only rule" got pushed somewhat but we stayed true to our word and it was clear to see we had some potential and set us on a good path for our next fixture.

Lancaster Beginner's Tournament: the time to start crying or the time to smile was upon us. Things kicked off with Hyun Gyu getting the minibus jamming out on the way over as we had completely mixed the teams up as this was just for a bit of fun. To be honest its way too long ago for me to remember but all I do know is it featured the world's most confusing and most poorly commentated penalty shootout ever. It was also the weekend we discovered Anna's incredible ability to sleep through pretty much anything. We also saw the emergence of Harry's mighty 6 pinter which I think needs immortalising as club mascot.

Onwards though we went and jumping forward to November we were back up to Scotland for the SKA cup. How we qualify to take part I don't know but I'm glad we do because we love it! It was another great tournament and we didn't come last so it was an improvement on last year. It's also a highlight because its the weekend where all of the bakers start to emerge so I feel like now is a good time to give a shout out to Jenny, Mary, Lottie and Ellie for all of their sweet treats this year. You've honestly saved lives with them.

Now for the big stuff, BUCS... and well it couldn't have gone smoothly could it! After staying in Strathclyde the night before we headed off mostly fresh (sorry Julia, Rebekah and Laura) and without anyone breaking their necks jumping across bunk beds (you know who you are). Uni 1 narrowly lost to Strathclyde 2-1 in the first game of the day but from then on they went on to finish the day off with 4 straight wins. My personal favourite being the 12-4 drubbing we handed out to Northumbria in the 4th/5th playoff. It was also Wilbert's last appearance for Newcastle :'( Wilbert I absolutely loved it but the stress that caused was unbelievable! (if you know you know). Uni 2 unfortunately didn't quite manage to qualify for regionals after being drawn against Uni 1 and Strathclyde it was always going to be a tough ask to get our lovely newbies through straight away. However, next time Mary if you could be less injury prone that would be fantastic. Shoutout to Evi for bagging Female MVP, Female Top Scorer and Overall Top Scorer. I'm glad we got to educate you on the wonders of the humble butternut squash.

The next day though we were back at it with Uni 1 vs Uni 2 in which was not a game for the history books. We were all knackered from the day before and just wanted a pint to be honest. It was also Evi's last appearance for us and you gave us the gift of the infamous Turkey. To this day I think only five people actually understand what the hell it is but if nothing else the on court gobbling is enough for it to last for a long time yet. We finished off before Christmas with a 10-10 draw between Uni 2 and Titans, a vast improvement in performance from the first game of the year just two months prior.

The new year kicked off with BUCS Regionals. Hyun Gyu thought Champs was on the cards, I thought he might be barking mad, we really had no idea how this was gonna go. The biggest plot twist however was the return of Evi! Having announced her return with one of the most spectacular "surprise bitches" I've ever witnessed we got down to business in Manchester. We ended up placing in Trophy after some really close games and again featuring a lovely 10-2 victory over our local rivals.

Uni 2 had their chance next at Qualifiers but before that was a return to the team for Harry W, the elusive social sec that we never quite know if he's still alive or not in the Titans warm up match. The highlight of this game was Jenny scoring a hat trick and being in complete disbelief she'd even managed to score one. Try not to have a heart attack next time please.

Anyway back to Qualifiers and unfortunately we couldn't quite convert our chances in the morning and ended up missing out on the spots at Plate that were up for grabs. With some more experience behind you, you definitely could've done it! Other then that I shall skip over this day because.. well I forgot to write the report so I have no hope of telling you properly what happened.

Finally a rest though and some time to train including for our coach Chris who completed his Level One Coaching course so is now officially not a fraud. March however was an incredibly busy month. Uni 1 played all three of their remaining NEKL fixtures bagging a second place finish plus a friendly against Northumbria. NEKL wise Chris, Evi, James P and Jenny ended up as top scorers for the first and second teams respectively. The NEKA cup also took place with Uni 1 narrowly missing out on winning it with a last play penalty awarded to Storm to see us just miss out.

Finally though, the main event of the season, Nationals. Trophy was an eye opener personally. It highlighted just how far we had come as a club that despite having finished higher than last year we were disappointed to not be higher still. On the day we let our heads drop but the fact is as a club we achieved another step up from last year and at this rate we will be a korf powerhouse yet. The best discovery of the weekend was finding out that in order to win we apparently need to be fuelled by beer and curry so that's our nutrition sorted for next season. Congratulations also to old girl Jess who won the trophy with Leeds Beckett.

To celebrate the end of our season we headed out for our AGM/ social which was far more successful then last year! I'm also delighted to announce we will have two welfare officers next year; a first in the university. So your committee for next year will be:

President - Chris

Treasurer - Rachel

Secretary- Laura

Welfare Officer - Rebekah

Inclusivity Officer - Jack

Club Captain - Fateh

Publicity Officer - Mary

Social Sec - Jenny

Best of luck to everyone and a massive shout out to all of this year's committee for the hard work you've put in to make things such a success.

The AU ball was the last of the action for the year and congratulations to Chris for being shortlisted for AU Member of the Year. We had a fantastic night although I'm not sure Fateh remembers much of it, Laura probably got hypothermia and Mary turned a blue plaster into the next big fashion accessory.

Speaking of awards congratulations to:

Coach's Player of the Year - Harry Stokes and Laura Baker

Player's Player of the Year - Fateh Singh/James Palmer and Lottie Rhodes

Most Improved Player of the Year - Rebekah Albiston

Most Improved Newcomer of the Year - Jenny Banton

Now for the sad part. We are losing some more mavericks this year and so I shall do my best to include you all. We shall start with Wilbert, your second appearance and definitely your last on this list (I can't hack the stress of more BUCS appeals). It was a pleasure to get the chance to play with you again and should we ever manage to get to Atilla it would be amazing to have you back. The mighty Evi, this season's dutch wonder. I genuinely don't think there is anyone in the club who doesn't wish you were still here. From your endless scoring to the number of smiles you put on people's faces, thank you. We also have the departure of Hyun Gyu, this year's president and the bounce pass king. One of the few original faces and it's fair to say the korfball journey would've been very different for me without you there. You have been a gem and playing korfball without you at the other end will be a very weird feeling. Next Matt, the go to man if you want a free drink on a night out. Your social antics only further enhance the fact you're a top bloke and I'm sure we'll see you again soon. Peter, your fashionista long socks struck fear into the opposition and you will be sorely missed... except by Mary’s face with a some stray passes. Maria, your care free, give it a go and just love it attitude is something I truly admire. Finally James, your basketball flair and your habit for long range screamers I will sorely miss but it's great to hear you'll still be playing afterwards. You have all helped the club go from strength to strength and you have friends here for life. Please come back and say hello, it would be amazing to see how you get on and please keep playing korfball.

Now you might be thinking I've missed out someone rather important and I have but for good reason. Blythe, our co-founder . None of this would've even existed without you. All of the korfers that have been made and friendships that have been created wouldn't have been possible without your hard work last year. You have been the most epic korf-mom anyone could ever ask for and we wish you all the best for the future down in Bristol.

To everyone else, rest up and relax, you've earned it and there's plenty more korf to come next year. On a personal note this season has been bigger and better then I think any of us could have hoped for. Watching you all progress has been amazing to see and the way the club has moved forward has been incredible. It shows that all the hard work that goes in is worth it and I hope you've enjoyed this year as much as I have. If we keep this up we'll be flying.

So for the final time this season, HOWAY THE KORF!

CB

#Seasonreview