This year’s BUCS Conference was held at the University of Keele from 13-16th July 2010. Amy Tilley from ESR was signed up to attend the event, including various workshops, networking opportunities, a stand at the Trade Fair and introduced for the first time a racketball taster session for delegates.
Leading up to the Conference basic details about the racketball practical were sent out to delegates as part of the pre-event information pack, more detail including promotion of the website were published in the Conference Pack in the ‘Partner Opportunities’ section and we had a one-page colour advert in the Trade Fair booklet. No other NGB had information published in Conference Pack, (given to 350+ in attendance) which gave ESR a unique marketing opportunity.
The racketball taster session was led by West Midlands Regional Coach Darren Lewis and supported by Matt Baker, (National Lead for racketball) Rose Davies and John Davis (West Midlands Team) and Jon Tate (Head Coach, University of Birmingham). We were thrilled that 20 delegates from 17 different institutions across the country (and several members of BUCS Staff attended, learning basic skills before taking part in fun, competitive games. The feedback from the session was fantastic and many came back to the ESR stand at the Trade Fair to gain more information on how to initiate racketball programmes at their University.
ESR were one of only four NGBs at the Trade Fair on the 15th July 2010. The stand was very popular with staff and Sabbatical Officers from a variety of institutions in addition to a number BUCS staff coming over to ask more about our programmes on offer. One of the most positive aspects of the Fair was the amount of people that recognised the ESR brand and came over to tell us that they had met with their Regional Manager to establish a development programme for squash and racketball; After just 12 months of working with Universities this really was incredible to hear. Thanks go to Scarlett Smith and John Davis for organising the stand and attending the Fair.
Overall the BUCS Conference was a perfect opportunity to market ESR to over 350 delegates and promote the positive work we have been doing in this sector. With a lack of other NGBs making the most of this occasion it has established our position as a leading partner with both BUCS and Universities in addition to reinforcing our commitment and ability to work with them.