Written by Josh Thomas
As the new Treasurer of the Athletics Union, I’m committed to ensuring that “AU for all” is more than just a throwaway comment: it’s the guiding principle for the AU committee and an ethos that all our members should follow. With over 40 clubs and nearly 900 members, inclusivity isn’t just a consideration; it’s at the heart of all our planning and discussions for the academic year. As the AU’s flagship events are always successful every year, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, our focus is on strengthening our inclusive culture and exploring how we can best represent and support each member of our community. This means supporting athletes and teams as they compete across London and the UK, as well as making sure our social events are accessible, safe, and genuinely enjoyable for every single individual within the Athletics Union.
This is a message that resonates with me personally and inspired me to apply for the role. While it has been enjoyable being actively involved in event planning for ‘Carol’ and the ‘AU Ball’, it’s more important to me that we have the opportunity and position to champion the rights of AU members. The committee acts as the first point of contact for societies and individuals to raise issues or complaints, and that’s not only a responsibility to be taken seriously, but something to be proud of. While we hope that complaints are infrequent, it’s vital that people know we are open to hearing their concerns and are proactively dealing with them. The AU committee should be transparent and approachable, and that’s an image that we consciously want to foster throughout the year.
This year’s flagship events remain the same: ‘AU Welcome’, ‘Carol’, ‘Fight Night’, and ‘AU Ball’. With a successful ‘AU Welcome’ kicking off in our first week, ‘Carol’ is now just around the corner. We’ve considered feedback from previous years, and we’re confident this year’s club lineup won’t disappoint. ‘Fight Night’ trials were held last week, with official training set to start in the new year. Finally, preparations are already underway for the ‘AU Ball’. While there’s not much I can reveal yet, we’re all committed to making it another unforgettable evening on the AU calendar.
In addition to these events, we’ve already celebrated Black History Month with our ‘ACS x AU Sway’, and the ‘HandsOffLSE Sway’ is set for the same evening as the RAG ‘Casino Night’. The ‘ACS x AU Sway’ was a fantastic night, drawing a new crowd who enjoyed a night of R&B, Hip Hop, and Afrobeats. Embracing diversity is one of the AU’s greatest strengths, and celebrating the different cultures within our community is essential. Similarly, the ‘HandsOffLSE Sway’ will highlight our commitment to charity and raising awareness around key issues impacting AU members. All proceeds from the event will support HandsOffLSE as part of our ongoing partnership. This partnership is reflected in Sam, our AU President, sitting on the HandsOffLSE locker room panel, as well as our requirement that all AU event attendees complete Consent Ed training.
This is my third year as a member of the AU, and while my responsibilities have shifted as Treasurer, my commitment to making the most of the experience remains as strong as ever. I may not be the most ‘athletic’ member in terms of competition, but many of my best memories at LSE have come from being part of the AU. That’s exactly how I want every AU member to feel by the end of this academic year. The AU is for all, and, as a committee, we’re dedicated to ensuring all our members have the best time possible!
