Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
Top 10 in UK for graduates entering professional employment
#iwantNU
NORTHUMBRIA
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Newcastle forecast: A Bright Future
paGe
16
Newcastle Eagles Flying High
Northumbria’s Sport Central plays host to top flight basketball
Northumbria scores full marks
in National Student Survey
Northumbria University students have given five key courses top marks in the latest National Student Survey.
S
the quality of their course, with
nine out of 10 saying they would
recommend Northumbria to a
friend.
The National Student Survey
asks final year students at all UK
universities and further education
colleges to give honest feedback
on what it’s been like to study on
their chosen course.
Natalie-Dawn Hodgson,
President of Northumbria
Students’ Union, said: “The
National Student Survey offers our
students the chance to reflect on
their years at Northumbria. The
fact that 91% of students would
recommend our University as a
place to study speaks volumes
about the fantastic student
experience here at Northumbria.”
More than 80% of Northumbria
tudents on the University’s
Architecture, French
Studies, Human and
Social Geography and
Mathematics and Statistics
programmes gave a resounding
100% satisfaction rate, while
Nursing at Northumbria was
ranked the best in the sector with
a score of 93%.
Initial Teacher Training,
Information Services and Planning
(Urban, Rural and Regional) and
Iberian Studies were rated within
the top 10 and Physical Geography
and Environmental Sciences were
rated in the top 15. Overall, half
of the University’s programmes
achieved satisfaction ratings of
90% or above.
In total, 86% of Northumbria
students were satisfied with
IDE
S
N
I
Take a virtual look at
Northumbria’s new student
accommodation development
– opening September 2014
3
students felt that their
programmes gave them the
communication skills, confidence
and personal development
needed for their future careers.
This is in line with recent figures
which show Northumbria
places the largest number of
graduates from the North East
into professional employment
– helping rank Northumbria
inside the top 10 universities in
the UK for professional graduate
employment.
Professor Andrew Wathey,
Vice-Chancellor and Chief
Executive of Northumbria
University, said:
“Investment in the student
experience is delivering
positive and visible benefits at
Northumbria. We are continuing
to combine academic quality and
a real-world focus with leadingedge teaching and research.”
This success in the National
Student Survey follows the most
successful recruitment period in
Northumbria’s history. In 2013,
the university received a record
breaking number of applicants,
with more high-achieving students
accepting places on courses than
ever before.
Northumbria University has
invested heavily in recent years
in academic staff, many of whom
have won awards for the quality of
their teaching and research.
The University also has more
employer partnerships than
almost any other university in
the country with more than 560
employer-sponsored courses and
Do you own something
made by a Northumbria
graduate?
12
60 programmes accredited by
professional bodies.
Professor Wathey added: “This
is a strongly encouraging result
for Northumbria which shows
the University moving forward
with an increasing number of
programmes achieving student
satisfaction of over 90%, and
positioned within the top quartile
results in a larger number of
disciplines.
“It is encouraging to see
these results reflecting the
University’s emerging position
as an institution of choice for the
best students from the North East
and as the regional university
with the highest percentage of
graduates entering professional
employment.”
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
2
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CONTENTS
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
Northumbria News
2
Business
6
Social Spotlight
7
Northumbria in Numbers
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10
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12
Health
13
Careers
14
Sport
15
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SOCIAL SCIENCES
BUSINESS
LAW
SPORT CENTRAL
DESIGN
LIFE SCIENCES
STUDENTS
EDUCATION
NEWCASTLE
STUDENTS UNION
ENGINEERING
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Athlete testing at Northumbria University’s Sport Central
Northumbria
joins forces with
England Athletics
Northumbria University has confirmed a partnership with
England Athletics by becoming a regional testing centre.
T
he centre will provide
physiological support
for athletes, as well as
coach support within the
England Athletics Coach Mentoring
scheme. This agreement formalises
the local athlete support that
Northumbria University has
provided for over 25 years.
The University’s state-of-theart facilities, housed in its £30m
Sport Central facility, makes
Northumbria the ideal choice as a
testing centre for talented athletes.
The University’s sport science
facilities consist of a dedicated
suite of laboratories including
physiology, biomechanics,
performance analysis, gait,
integrated performance, nutrition,
strength and conditioning
and a 40m indoor running
track. The centre also boasts
an environmental chamber
that can simulate extreme
temperatures and high or low
altitude conditions, a neuroscience
laboratory to investigate the role
of the nervous system during
exercise and a body composition
laboratory to measure body fat.
The use of these facilities will
elevate athlete testing above the
traditional physiological and
biomechanical analysis carried out
during treadmill running.
The regional centre will be led
by BASES (British Association
of Sport and Exercise Sciences)
accredited Sport and Exercise
Physiologist Phil Hayes, Senior
Lecturer in the Department of
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
at Northumbria. He has published
a number of research papers on
the biomechanics of running, and
has particular expertise in the
physiology of running. Phil is also
a Level 4 middle distance coach
with over 20 years’ experience
in both coaching and providing
sport science support to athletes
who have competed at club to
international levels. This mix of
scientific and coaching expertise
enables Phil to provide a unique
level of support for endurance
runners.
Phil said “Northumbria has a
long history of providing sport
science support to runners and we
welcome the opportunity to both
formalise and continue to develop
this partnership. Working closely
with England Athletics will provide
Northumbria University staff and
students with an opportunity
to engage further with talented
athletes, while enabling athletes
and coaches to gain access to
world-class facilities and
cutting-edge sport science
techniques. The North East has
a long tradition of success in
athletics and Northumbria is
proud to be a part of it.”
Martin Rush, Endurance Event
Group Lead, British Athletics
said: “This is an excellent step
forward for England Athletics. This
partnership with Northumbria
University to support endurance
coaches and athletes in the North
East of England expands on the
number of centres around the
country providing these resources
and expertise. The North East
has an incredibly successful and
proud history of producing elite
level endurance athletes trained
by some of the best known names
in coaching. Developing support
opportunities like this is a key
part of England Athletics’ ongoing
role in present and future coach
development.”
DISCOVER MORE
To find out more about
Northumbria University’s Sport
and Exercise courses visit
www.northumbria.ac.uk/lifesciences
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
#iwantNU
northumbria news
3
First glimpse of exciting
new student experience
Trinity Square, Gateshead
Northumbria University has opened the
virtual doors of its brand new, state-ofthe-art student accommodation.
‘‘
This virtual
preview offers
prospective
students, and
their parents, a
glimpse of the
student lifestyle
they can expect
at Northumbria
University
‘‘
A
computer-generated
film gives students
the chance to explore
the new residence –
located five floors above street
level – which forms part of the
new £150m Trinity Square
development in Gateshead.
Due to open to students in
September 2014, Trinity Square
accommodation offers spectacular
views across the Tyne, en suite
bedrooms, fully equipped
communal areas and flexible
social spaces. Students will also
have access to their own outdoor
landscaped areas, a running route,
fitness facilities and a multi-use
games area.
With a Tesco Extra superstore
directly below the accommodation,
along with a wide range of retail
outlets, a multi-screen cinema and
easy access to the Quayside’s array
of bars, restaurants and cultural
venues, Trinity Square will become
a vibrant centre for student life.
The video is already proving
popular, with almost 5,000
prospective students being the
first to see the state-of-the-art
preview at Northumbria’s Open
Day in June. It’s also available
online through YouTube.
Prospective student, James Coe,
17, was visiting Northumbria with
his parents, Sharon and Bryan.
James said: “It was great being
able to see how Trinity Square
will look on the screen and to see
what’s going to be on offer there.
I loved the contemporary look
of the buildings, as well as the
sports facilities, which are really
important to me.”
Sharon added: “From a parent’s
point of view, it’s great to see
everything looking so selfcontained. It will be James’ first
time living away from home and
it gives me peace of mind to know
that with accommodation like
Trinity Square, everything will be
on his doorstep.”
WATCH
To view the CGI film,
scan this code
Nursing a reputation for excellence
Nursing students have given
Northumbria’s Continuing
Professional Development (CPD)
programmes a clean bill of health
by voting them the best in the
country for the second year
running.
Northumbria was awarded
the accolade by the Student
Nursing Times, recognising the
high quality CPD the University
provides to nurses to develop
their leadership, management
and clinical skills.
Students from across the UK
were asked for their views on
issues such as teaching quality,
the learning environment and
student support.
One of the students to
nominate Northumbria was
Lee Thompson who studied
for a Masters degree in
Practice Development: “Staff at
Northumbria have gone beyond
the extra mile on many occasions
for which I am eternally grateful.
The academic staff provide
excellent educational lectures,
but I also believe it is the added
support and the way they engage
with students that creates
a comprehensive learning
environment.”
Lindsay Surtees, who recently
completed a Masters degree in
Advanced Practice, added: “Staff
support students to set realistic
goals to achieve the right balance
between working, studying and
personal life and, from my own
point of view, demonstrated
compassion and sensitivity
during times of crisis.”
Vanessa Gibson, Learning
and Teaching Fellow, said:
“This is a fantastic accolade
for Northumbria and the CPD
team because it means we
are succeeding in putting our
student community at the heart
of everything we do.”
DISCOVER MORE
For further information about CPD,
visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/CPD
Vanessa Gibson, Lee Thompson
and Lindsay Surtees
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
4
northumbria news
Designing out crime
in the Caribbean
Northumbria University is advising the government of a Caribbean country
how to prevent crime through the design of its towns and cities.
P
hD student, Victoria
Gibson, was originally
invited to share
her research on
Crime Prevention through
Environmental Design (CPTED),
a concept of designing towns and
cities in order to deter crime, at a
conference held in Trinidad and
Tobago earlier this year.
Her proposed framework
for building professionals
has now been included in the
Trinidad and Tobago Ministry
of Planning and Sustainable
Development’s draft National
Spatial Development Strategy
(NSDS). This report maps out
the development priorities for
Trinidad and Tobago over the
next 20 years.
Victoria, originally from
Wideopen, North Tyneside, said:
“We’ve had a really positive
response to our research and
there is interest in putting it
into practice. In Trinidad and
Tobago, design is really bad
in terms of crime prevention
– with basic apartment blocks
surrounded by 10-foot high
concrete walls, a lack of open
space, lots of dark alleyways
and overcrowding, which all
helps to generate a sense of fear.
The strategy ultimately aims to
remove opportunities for crime,
improve quality of life, improve
use of space and reduce the fear
of crime.”
The goal of CPTED is to prevent
crime by designing features that
deter criminals and allow people
to enjoy a safe environment.
This can be achieved through
landscaping public areas to make
them more appealing to use,
improving lighting, designing
streets to increase pedestrian
and bicycle traffic, and reducing
enclosed areas.
Post-graduate student, Victoria Gibson
Live parkour demonstration at Sport Central
PhD supervisor Derek
Johnson, a Senior Lecturer and
Programme Leader, said: “This
is a really inspiring development
in this research work which
we hope will now lead on to us
doing some active research in
Trinidad, and positively engaging
with the planners and developers
who are trying to incorporate
crime prevention into their
designs.”
Victoria and Derek plan to
travel to Trinidad later this
year to further engage with
built environment professionals
and will also attend the 2014
Caribbean Urban Forum
conference in Barbados to share
more of their expertise in
the field.
DISCOVER MORE
Northumbria University students gain
real-world experience with opportunities
to study, work and volunteer abroad as
well as undertake placements in industry.
To find out more about architecture
and the built environment at
Northumbria University visit
www.northumbria.ac.uk/abe
Miranda Sawyer in conversation with Melanie Manchot
Great north partnership launched
As more than 55,000 runners competed in this year’s Great North Run, a major cultural event was
launched at Sport Central Arena to celebrate the world’s largest half marathon.
M
arking the beginning
of a new partnership
between Northumbria
University and
Great North Run Culture – an
organisation that brings together
sport and the arts – the launch
featured film, radio and live
performances inspired by
Tyneside’s iconic sporting event.
Hosted by columnist and TV
presenter Miranda Sawyer, the
evening also included a sneak
preview of Tracer – a new film by
artist, Melanie Manchot.
Commissioned by Great North
Run Culture, Tracer features ten
parkour runners, or traceurs,
who trace the route of the run
incorporating their trademark
jumps, vaults and urban
gymnastics. The film focuses on
how the parkourists interact
with, and become part of, the
urban environment.
The Sport Central audience
was also treated to a live parkour
demonstration, a performance
from Maximo Park frontman
Paul Smith, and an extract from
a futuristic radio broadcast
by artist Adam Chodzko. The
on-going programme of work,
which will be showcased at
venues throughout the region,
also features a portrait exhibition
from acclaimed illustrator and
designer, Daisy de Villeneuve.
Lucy Winskell, Pro ViceChancellor (Business and
Engagement), Northumbria
University, said: “Northumbria
University is proud to host
the launch of Great North Run
Culture 2013.
“Our partnership with Great
North Run Culture is a strong
example of Northumbria
University’s involvement in the
fabric of the region’s culture and
life.”
Beth Bate, Director of Great
North Run Culture, said: “We’re
really excited to be working with
four brilliant artists this year on
four very different projects. Our
launch event at Sport Central was
designed to tantalise the audience
with a flavour of what’s to come
throughout the coming months.
“As ever, we couldn’t do it
without our fantastic project
partners and funders and we
can’t wait to welcome audiences
to our full 2013 programme.”
DISCOVER MORE
For further information, see
www.greatnorthrunculture.org
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
#iwantNU
northumbria news
5
Northumbria
plays a part in
Live Theatre
Northumbria University health experts have
contributed to the development of Live Theatre’s
40th anniversary production, Wet House.
Hat-trick
for architecture
students
Carl Harper’s winning design
Northumbria’s Tony Machin meets the cast and crew of Wet House at Live Theatre
Further cementing the
partnership between the two
organisations, academics from
the University have worked
with Live Theatre’s creative
team to explore the issues of
addiction raised in the new
production.
Wet House, a fresh new play
from writer and Northumbria
graduate, Paddy Campbell, is
based within a homeless hostel
where residents are allowed
to drink alcohol. Tony Machin,
Northumbria University’s
Director of Programmes
(Health and Life Sciences),
joined the rehearsal room to
share his expertise with the
cast and crew.
Max Roberts, Live Theatre’s
Artistic Director said: “It’s
been invaluable sharing the
rehearsal room with Tony.
His knowledge in the fields of
mental health and addiction
has given the cast access
to expert advice relating to
their character’s actions and
responses.
“During any rehearsal
process it is important to
provide the creative team
with opportunities to further
explore themes raised within
the script, and our partnership
with Northumbria University
allows us to access an
extremely diverse range of
expertise.”
Wet House has further links
with Northumbria University
through cast member
Riley Jones, a Northumbria
Performing Arts graduate who
has recently enjoyed success
touring nationally with Lee
Hall’s The Pitmen Painters,
as well as a regular role in
television drama, Vera.
Lucy Winskell, Pro-Vice
Chancellor (Business and
Engagement), Northumbria
University, said: “We are proud
of our cultural partnerships
and the impact that these can
have upon both the lives of our
students and the organisations
that we work with.
“The fact that we see many
of our graduates returning
to Newcastle to work with
internationally-acclaimed arts
organisations such as Live
Theatre just goes to show how
culturally important the North
East is.”
Northumbria University
was recently awarded The
Times Higher Education award
2012 for Excellence and
Innovation in the Arts, as well
as The Journal’s Culture Award
for Best Arts and Business
Partnership, celebrating its
links with Live Theatre, Great
North Run Culture, BALTIC
Centre for Contemporary Art
and New Writing North.
Another Northumbria health
expert, Tony Ross, also joined
a panel of professionals at Live
Theatre for a post-show talk
back discussing the issues of
addiction and homelessness
with a live audience.
DISCOVER MORE
For more information, see
www.northumbria.ac.uk/arts and
www.northumbria.ac.uk/hces
Three of Northumbria University’s architecture students
have been recognised in national and regional industry
competitions.
C
arl Harper has been
crowned a winner in a
national contest run by
leading architectural
magazine, Building Design.
Meanwhile, Justin Chu and
Jonathan Dennis walked away with
both prestigious ‘Hadrian Medals’
at RIBA’s (Royal Institute of British
Architects) annual student awards
ceremony.
Building Design’s annual
competition is recognised as
being one of the most important
national student awards contests.
Using a panel of industry
experts to identify the UK’s best
Architecture diploma students,
five winners were selected from
over 2000 entries. The winners
have also earned themselves a
place on the shortlist for a fullyfunded scholarship with the IE
(International Excellence) School
of Architecture and Design in
Madrid.
Carl, a student on Northumbria
University’s Postgraduate
Architecture course, was chosen
for his innovative project designed
to challenge environmental
concerns relating to the shipping
industry.
The Hadrian Medals
acknowledge North East students
who demonstrate imagination and
ingenuity in relation to a brief.
Justin Chu celebrated the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels through architectural design
Each year, first prize is offered to
students in two categories - Part
1 (BA Architecture) and Part 2
(Masters in Architecture).
Part 1 Architecture student,
Justin Chu, tackled the subject
of tourism in light of the return
of the Lindisfarne Gospels, and
the possibilities that architecture
can bring to Holy Island through
sensitive design.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Dennis
was recognised in the Part 2
category for his inspiring cultural
project, using design and historical
narrative to bring performance art
into public spaces.
Professor Paul Jones, Director
of Architecture at Northumbria
University, said: “All our student
projects are set within the North
East and we feel incredibly lucky
to have such a geographically
diverse and historically rich
context in which to work.
“Carl, Jonathan and Justin are
shining examples of the talent
that we are proud to nurture, and
their work pays homage to some of
the exciting possibilities that our
region has to offer.”
Northumbria University is
currently ranked in the top 20
nationally for its Architecture
programme, according to The
Complete University Guide, and
continues to work with some
of the biggest names in the
industry, providing exciting career
prospects for its students. In the
latest National Student Survey,
students on Northumbria’s
Architecture programme gave it a
perfect satisfaction rating of 100%.
DISCOVER MORE
To find out more about Northumbria’s
Architecture programme, visit
www.northumbria.ac.uk/abe
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
6
BusIness
Paccup your troubles of
moving to University
A new business created by students is offering a hassle-free way for first year students to kit out their accommodation.
N
orthumbria University
student, Marcus Gentle,
is part of a team of four
student friends who has
created Paccup – a service aimed
at easing the transition from home
to university by providing bedding,
towels and kitchen utensils direct
to students’ new accommodation.
The company, founded earlier
this year, saves students the hassle
of shopping trips during Freshers’
Week by offering them essential
product packages for the bedroom,
bathroom and kitchen.
Students can also purchase the
Complete Paccup, which combines
all three packages. The items
in each Paccup, ranging from
chopping boards, corkscrews,
duvet covers and towels, have
been chosen following extensive
research from past and present
students.
Marcus Gentle, who is studying
English Language at Northumbria,
is the company’s marketing
executive. He said: “Paccup is
exactly what I would have wanted
as a first-year student. When you
buy a Paccup package you already
have the essentials waiting for
you when you arrive so it saves
you a lot of hassle. It’s doing a big
favour for students, especially
international ones who usually
have to buy everything once they
arrive at the university. New
students often don’t know the local
area so finding the right shops can
be time-consuming.
“During the first year of my
degree we did research into the
language of advertising so I’ve
already learned a lot of things
from my course that I’ve been able
to apply. I can offer a lot to this
company. As a student, I can also
provide an insight into student
opinions.”
Paccup sells directly to students
via its website but also targets
student accommodation suppliers
and universities. With demand
for the service increasing, the
company has already received
orders from China as well as from
across the UK.
Lucy Winskell, Pro ViceChancellor for Business and
Engagement at Northumbria
University, said: “Universities
must be about creating an
entrepreneurial culture –
through our staff, our students
and the opportunities on
offer. Northumbria is able to
Northumbria’s
reputation travels far
Northumbria University has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by leading
industry body, The Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT).
studying at Northumbria are
assured they are receiving an
industry-leading education. The
benefits of the award are many
and Northumbria will be able
to draw on the expertise from
high-level industry figures to
help guide, nurture and mentor
emerging talent from the
University programme. This is
‘‘
We already
have wellestablished links
to industry but
the recognition
afforded by the
ITT will help us
develop these
further
‘‘
T
he award places
Northumbria as only the
fourth University in the
country meriting such
status and is a measure of the
quality of the teaching provided
by Newcastle Business School’s
Travel and Tourism Management
programme.
Dr Naomi Kirkup, Senior
Lecturer and Programme Leader
said: “The Institute of Travel and
Tourism is the only professional
body for individuals employed
within the industry in the UK.
“The ITT awards Centre of
Excellence status when they
are satisfied that a university
is providing only the highest
calibre of education to students.
To become only the fourth such
centre within the UK shows just
how highly-prized this is.”
By becoming a Centre of
Excellence for the ITT, students
harness and support this kind of
entrepreneurial spirit through
programmes such as the BA
Business Entrepreneurs degree
– a course that encourages
students to start up businesses
while studying for their academic
qualifications. Initiatives like this
are an innovative way to develop
entrepreneurial and business skills
in the region and beyond.”
DIsCOVeR MORe
For more information about Paccup,
visit www.paccup.co.uk
capped off with the opportunity
to nominate a Northumbria
student for the ITT Student of the
Year awards, held annually at the
Institute’s flagship event each
July in the House of Commons.
Dr Kirkup added: “In recent
years, two of our students have
been awarded Student of the
Year at the ITT’s annual awards.
The networking opportunities
and exposure this provided
has helped launch their very
successful careers.
“We already have wellestablished links to industry but
the recognition afforded by the
ITT will help us develop these
further. This can only benefit
our students as we help prepare
them for fulfilling careers after
graduation.”
Claire Steiner, Chair of the
ITT’s Education and Training
Committee, said: “The Institute of
Travel and Tourism is delighted
to award Northumbria Centre
of Excellence status. This highly
prestigious award is made
to those institutions, such as
Northumbria, who demonstrate
high standards of professional
and academic rigour and welldeveloped links with industry,
enabling them to produce
graduates with the right skills
and expertise for our exciting and
expanding sector.”
DIsCOVeR MORe
To find out more about Northumbria’s
BA (Hons) Travel and Tourism
Management programme, visit:
www.newcastlebusinessschool.co.uk
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
#iwantNU
sOCIal spOTlIGHT 7
#IWantnU
Northumbria University asked prospective students what they most wanted from their student experience.
Don’t forget, you can create your own #IWantNU snaps in the photobooth during Northumbria’s open days
at both City campus and Coach Lane.
Northumbria
Students’ Union
Check out what goes on at Northumbria’s
award-wining Students’ Union.
Each year Sabbatical Officers are elected by students to represent them and
make their time at University the best it can be
The Union campaigns year-round to change students’ lives
@nUUndergraduate
Check out what’s been said on twitter
about Northumbria…
Join the
conversation:
Follow
@NUUndergraduate
and #IWantNU
Every year the Students’ Unions plays
host to some of the biggest bands
and names in music including
Ed Sheeran and Ben Howard
Northumbria Students’ Union is
one of the most dynamic, awardwinning and forward thinking
Unions in the country
Chris Cook
@NUUndergraduate were an integral part
of my journey to the Olympics. I loved
studying Sport & the support I received
#NUOpenDay #IWantNU
Jvyk
Got accepted at Northumbria to do fine
art so happy #iwantnu #alevels #art
#Northumbriauniversity
Aaron
Got into Northumbria YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
#university #resultsday #IwantNU
Home to some of the biggest club nights in Newcastle
Lauren Jade Graham
So excited to get in @NUUndergraduate
so worth hard work #northumbriauniversity
#IwantNU
waTCH
How would you
describe Northumbria
in three words? Scan
the code to view our
short three-word films
Olly Linton
Happy to confirm I’ll be a
@NUUndergraduate fresher
come September #IwantNU
#northumbriauniversity #newcastle
Habita has a fantastic range of food and drinks offers throughout
the year
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
8
NORTHUMBRIA IN NUMBERS
IWant 550
more than
Choosing the right university is more important than ever and
there are lots of things to think about.
That includes how good the course is going to
be and what sort of social life you’ll have. You’ll
also want to know about the city you’ll be
living in and what job opportunities there are
likely to be when you graduate.
Northumbria is the largest university in
the North East, with 35,000 students from
approximately 100 countries. Based in the
popular, safe and vibrant city of Newcastle,
Northumbria offers you one of the best
academic and social experiences possible and
here are the top reasons why:
employers and more than 60
professional bodies work with
us, ensuring what we teach
enhances your job prospects
when you graduate
94%
of our students are in work or further study
within six months of graduating
e
r
o
m
86%
of our students are satisfied with their
course, according to the latest National
Student Survey, and four courses achieved
a perfect score of 100%
24/7
Our city campus library is open
most of the year and our IT Helpline is answered
around the clock – even on Christmas Day
n
a
th
t
s
ju
ad
e
e
r
g
e
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
#iwantNU
NORTHUMBRIA IN NUMBERS
£160m
invested in Northumbria’s campus in recent years to
give you a modern and welcoming learning and social
environment
£30m
sport central
Complete with swimming pool, climbing wall, sprint track,
fitness centre and 3,000-seat arena
5454
beds for students from next year – ensuring a place
for all first years in university accommodation
3
the number of times
Newcastle has been voted
Best City for Students
You could get up to
£6000
a year in bursaries and scholarships from our
£16m financial support package
(by MSN Travel Survey 2009/2010/2011)
1/2
MILLION
the number of books you
can access in our libraries
9
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
10
CulTuRe
University rocks
for Futureheads
bass player
When Futureheads bass player David Craig isn’t touring
the world and recording albums, you can find him
studying - at Northumbria University.
Your Guide to
NewcastleGateshead
evolution Festival
May Bank Holiday
Described as ‘The North-East’s premier, open-air music bash’ by The
Guardian, Evolution takes place on the banks of the River Tyne over two
days. A key event in the summer festival calendar. Not to be missed.
www.evolutionfestival.co.uk
NewcastleGateshead is, of
Free running for
course, home to the world’s
Great North Run
Culture.
most iconic half marathon
– the Bupa Great North
Run. Established in 2005 to
celebrate the 25th anniversary
of this spectacular sporting
event, Great North Run Culture
celebrates and explores the
special connection between
sport and art with specially
commissioned work and
exhibitions delivered in partnership with the region’s
many venues and attractions. Key work in 2013 includes A Mind Full of
Nothing but Continue at The Sage Gateshead, the premiere of Maximo
Park frontman Paul Smith’s new choral work inspired by the Bupa Great
North Run itself and a new film by artist Melanie Manchot featuring ten
free runners.
shopping
David Craig
‘‘
I would
recommend
Northumbria,
I think it’s great.
The lecturers
here are young
and vibrant
and they’ve
always got
time for you
‘‘
T
he third year History
and Politics student
is loving learning
and great time
management skills mean he
is successfully managing his
“double life.”
David – or “Jaff,” as he’s
known in the band – together
with bandmates Ross Millard,
Barry Hyde and drummer Dave
Hyde - plays to sell-out crowds
across the globe.
The Futureheads is one of the
North East’s most successful
bands, having played with the
likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, The
Killers and the Foo Fighters.
Their big break came in 2001
when they became a “managed”
band and David was able to
quit his job as a labourer and
concentrate on his music.
David turned down an
offer to go to university at 18,
choosing instead to focus his
energies on the band.
But a family loss prompted
him to reconsider his future
plans. He chose Northumbria
based on recommendations
from friends.
He said: “When you’re in a
band, people say ‘yes’ to you all
the time…you end up being top
of some weird social hierarchy
that you never ask for. And then
you come to university and you
realise just how pitifully little
you know.
“At the same time, being at
university is like having an
amazing life that you’ll never
get to live again. It’s an amazing
experience to have. I think
people should realise they are
lucky to go to university.”
David describes his time at
Northumbria as life-changing
and is quick to rate the support
he’s had from teaching staff.
“I would recommend
Northumbria, I think it’s great.
The lecturers here are young
and vibrant and they’ve always
got time for you. I go and see
the lecturer before an essay – I
do the reading they suggest as
well as the module guide, then
I write it and then I go and see
them for feedback. And they
don’t have to do that. I think
they are really good.
“Sometimes people should
just go to university because it’s
good to know things – because
you don’t know everything.
It’s good to learn things and
you can only learn things from
really clever people – and
clever people who care enough
to teach you. It has completely
altered my life. Higher
Education rocks your world in a
really good way.”
DIsCOVeR MORe
For more on The Futureheads, visit
www.thefutureheads.com
Food
NewcastleGateshead boasts
a varied retail offering, mixing
independent boutiques
with high-street mainstays.
Newcastle has one of the UK’s
largest city centre malls, Eldon
Square, and the original Fenwick
department store established
in Newcastle in 1882; while
Gateshead boasts Metrocentre,
Europe’s largest shopping
centre.
panis: 61-65 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne,
Tyne and Wear, NE1 6BX www.paniscafe.co.uk
A stylish family-run café/restaurant. Red hot on friendly service.
northside Diner:
(Within Fenwick
Department Store)
39 Northumberland Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
Tyne and Wear,
NE99 1AR
www.fenwick.co.uk
Northside Diner is a fun,
friendly 1950s style diner
serving much-loved American
classics.
electric east: Waterloo Square, St James’ Boulevard,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4DN www.electric-east.co.uk
Electric East offers a range of innovative dishes from Cambodia,
Vietnam and Thailand.
The Boiler shop: Robert Stephenson Centre, Sussex Street,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3PD www.theboilershopsteamer.com
Down at The Stephenson Works on Sussex Street a new monthly food,
drink and entertainment extravaganza has taken the city by storm.
Credit: Mark Savage
Great North run culture
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
#iwantNU
CulTuRe
Your guide to
Newcastle Gateshead
NewcastleGateshead Quayside
NewcastleGateshead is one of the highest populated student cities in the UK,
with over 50,000 students living and working here.
H
ome to amazing
architecture, a yearround array of festivals,
attractions and events,
enviable shopping opportunities
and fantastic nightlife, students
are hard-pressed to find another
city with so much on offer.
With an eclectic mix of
entertainment and a prominent
position on the UK’s cultural
map, it’s no surprise that
NewcastleGateshead was
recently named ‘hipster capital
of the North East’ in the Lonely
Planet Great Britain Travel Guide.
And Northumbria University
has joined forces with many
of the North East’s culturalpowerhouses to enhance its
student experience.
BALTIC Centre for
Contemporary Art, Live
Theatre, Northern Stage,
Great North Run Culture, and
The Tyneside Cinema have
all played a role in the lives
of scores of Northumbria
University students. From
academic programmes and
talent development to rehearsal
space and hands-on industry
experience, these partnerships
offer unique opportunities
for students to work side by
side with renowned industry
professionals while studying
for their degree. They also offer
a vibrant and ever-changing
entertainment programme.
Take Live Theatre. A small
venue with a global reputation.
This acclaimed theatre company
was the birthplace of Lee Hall’s
Broadway hit, The Pitmen
Painters. Theatre-lovers popping
across to the Quayside venue this
autumn for its 40th anniversary
celebrations can enjoy drama,
live music, quiz nights, stand-up
comedy and even a Live Theatre
Singles Club (don’t worry – it’s
a journey through the history of
the 7” record, not speed dating).
The season also showcases the
talent of two Northumbria arts
graduates – Paddy Campbell,
who has penned a gritty new
drama entitled Wet House, and
performing arts graduate, Riley
Jones, who will be appearing in
both Wet House and Lee Hall’s
Cooking with Elvis.
Heading back towards town,
comedy fans do not want to
miss the hilarity hub that is The
Stand Comedy Club. Nestling
within Newcastle’s thriving
High Bridge Quarter, The Stand
is the place to be for raucous
Geordie wit, comedy royalty and
Red Raw talent daring to take
the mic for the first time. An
intimate venue that regularly
roars with laughter, this unique
cabaret-style space is also used
on occasion by Northumbria arts
students. Well worth a look.
Newcastle’s cultural scene
continues with Northern
Stage – the largest producing
theatre company in the region.
Showcasing a wide variety of
drama, new writing, storytelling,
contemporary dance, comedy
and international work, this
diverse theatre company’s
countdown to Christmas sees
a melting pot of entertainment
from Edinburgh Fringe bestsellers to comedy takes on classic
Shakespeare, before hurtling
head-first into silly season with
The Suggestibles legendary
Impro-Pantso – madness and
mayhem all wrapped up in
festive cheer.
For those who feel safer
watching all the action from
behind a screen, the Tyneside
Cinema is Newcastle’s arthouse
gem situated in the centre of
town. With three different
screens, coffee rooms, a bar and
the Intermezzo Café, this cinema
gives a trip to the pictures the
sense of occasion it deserves. Set
in stylish art deco surroundings,
the Tyneside Cinema offers a
varied programme showing
the best films from all over the
world.
To round up Newcastle and
Gateshead’s vibrant arts scene
we cannot forget the home of
the Turner Prize 2011, BALTIC
Centre for Contemporary Art.
This landmark building located
on the south bank of the River
Tyne attracts visitors from near
and far (a whopping five million
to date!) to marvel at the work
of some of the world’s most
renowned contemporary artists.
Northumbria and BALTIC also
share a vibrant collaborative
venue, right next to The Stand
Comedy Club in the centre
of Newcastle. BALTIC 39 is
home to the BxNU Institute of
Contemporary Arts which is
used as a teaching, research
and gallery space, perfectly
positioned for instant access to
NewcastleGateshead’s worldfamous cultural scene.
‘‘
Live Theatre,
a small venue
with a global
reputation. This
acclaimed theatre
company was the
birthplace of Lee
Hall’s Broadway
hit, The Pitmen
Painters
‘‘
A world-famous
student lifestyle
Northumbria graduate, Riley Jones in
Wet House at Live Theatre
DIsCOVeR MORe
Follow @altweet_pet on Twitter
for more information on upcoming
events and ideas for things to see,
do and visit. See live conversation and
virtually explore the destination online
with www.geordielandmap.com
or go to
www.newcastlegateshead.com
The Official NewcastleGateshead
City Guide app is now available to
download from both the iTunes Store
and Google Play Store.
Live Theatre
www.live.org.uk
The Stand Comedy Club
www.thestand.co.uk
Northern Stage
www.northernstage.co.uk
Tyneside Cinema
www.tynesidecinema.co.uk
Great North Run Culture
www.greatnorthrunculture.org.uk
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
www.balticmill.com
11
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
12
lIFesTYle
What will you do?
Northumbria graduates leave our University and go
on to carve out amazing and fulfilling life-long careers.
Some have even created products you can buy in
shops all over the world. You might already own some of
them yourself…
Jules Quinn tea
The *TeaShed is a design led tea, teaware and
homeware company, born and brewed in Britain.
Try Mr Grey’s Tea – 20 bags for £3.49
Available from www.the-teashed.co.uk
sir Jonathan Ive ipad and iphone
The definitive indispensablegadgets, known to consumers
all over the world. Prices start
from £469 (iPhone) and £269
(iPad mini) Available from
http://store.apple.com/uk
rob Law MBe trunki
These clever suitcases provide
hours of fun for jet-setting children
and their frazzled parents!
Prices from £37.99
Available from www.trunki.com
amelia smith Fashion
Turn heads by the pool for all the right reasons
in this abstract print monokini (£25).
Available from www.riverisland.com
abby traynor Fashion and Jewellery storage
Quirky fashion and jewellery storage, try this funky fox
eye mask (£8) or Junk and Treasure Jewellery box (£15)
Available from www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
#iwantNU
HEALTH
13
Dr Jason Ellis
Dream cure for insomnia
In the middle of Northumbria University’s city centre campus sits a cosy apartment fitted with a kitchen, living
room, two furnished en-suite bedrooms and a well-stocked bookshelf. This is the base for Northumbria’s
world-leading Centre for Sleep Research.
now plans to explore the factors
that can cause the move to
chronic insomnia with sufferers
enduring restless nights for three
months or longer. Such cases
can lead to other conditions,
including depression.
Dr Ellis added: “GPs write ten
million prescriptions for sleep
medication every year; costing
upwards of £15 million for the
health service. Through the
research we carry out, we aim to
alleviate that by building greater
knowledge about sleep and
associated problems.
“We used to think that it was
stress that led to sleep loss and
illness but now we are beginning
Northumbria’s Sleep Centre
ecologically valid sleep research
centre in the UK.”
The bedrooms in the Centre
are fitted with closed-circuit
television cameras that relay
pictures to a control room
where Dr Ellis and his team
of research students monitor
participants’ sleep.
Researchers from the Centre
were the first to understand the
scale of the problem preventing
a good night’s sleep. They
identified that more than a third
of people in the UK are likely to
suffer from acute insomnia each
year – this being characterised by
difficulty sleeping over a period
of up to three months. The team
‘‘
The Centre
is a modern
apartment
sitting right in
the middle of
our research
facilities
‘‘
N
estled among the
classrooms and lecture
theatres of a bustling
modern university,
the Centre provides an oasis of
calm for Northumbria’s resident
sleep experts who are focussed
on understanding and solving the
world’s sleep-related problems.
The Director of the Centre is Dr
Jason Ellis, who featured in last
year’s BBC TV series Goodnight
Britain. As a child, Dr Ellis was
plagued by nightmares which
inspired his life-long mission to
solve the mysteries of sleep. He
launched his academic career
in this field while on placement
in the Sleep Disorder Unit at St
Thomas’ Hospital in London as
part of his Psychology degree.
Dr Ellis said: “The Centre is a
modern apartment sitting right
in the middle of our research
facilities without a wire in sight.
All the other centres in the
country are really just beds in
laboratories - as are most across
the rest of the world. While
these lab-based facilities have
contributed significantly towards
our understanding of sleep, we
believe that a more comfortable
and homely setting helps people
relax more and therefore, allows
our researchers to observe
a more natural night’s sleep.
This makes our Centre the first
to see how the relationship might
be the other way round and it is
insomnia that creates the stress
and illness in the first place. We
are beginning to understand
how intimately sleep and health
are related and facilities such as
those in our Centre are directly
fuelling that understanding. This
is an enormously exciting field to
be involved in at the moment.”
DISCOVER MORE
To find out more on the work of the
Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research,
please visit: www.northumbria.ac.uk/
sleepresearch
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
14
CAREERS
Order in the court!
Take a wrong turn in Northumbria’s Business and Law building and you could find
yourself in the dock. At the heart of the third floor of this ultra-modern building is
an unexpected nod to tradition in the shape of an authentic courtroom.
for what they can expect when
they step into a courtroom for
the first time - from the general
layout through to where they can
sit. It really brings to life what we
do in the Law School.”
Students studying the
undergraduate M Law Exempting
and the M Law Incorporating
Bar Professional Training Course
(BPTC), as well as those taking
the freestanding post graduate
BPTC, use the courtroom as
part of their taught lessons,
assessments and extra-curricular
activities.
The room is also used by the
Mock Trial Society and has been
used by police officers from
Northumbria Police force.
Students wear wigs and gowns
and assume the roles of judge,
clerk, counsel for the defence and
prosecution, witnesses and even
the jury. A large screen hangs on
the wall, allowing students to
examine witnesses away from
the courtroom via video link–
normally used if a witness is a
child or already held in custody
for an earlier crime.
Law students from
Northumbria University have
landed one of the top places in
an international competition
which pitted them against
opponents from across the
globe.
Rachel Godschalk and
Francesca Lilley came third
in the annual International
Negotiation Competition which
saw them compete against 20
teams from 19 countries. The
competition involved a team of
two law students representing
a client negotiating either an
international transaction or the
resolution of an international
dispute against an opposing
team.
Rachel and Francesca,
who are both studying for a
Graduate Diploma in Law, flew
to California to take part in the
finals.
Rachel, 32, from Barnard
Castle, said: “This was an
excellent opportunity for us
both to compete at a very
high level, to make long-term
friendships and to possibly have
future working relationships
Victoria added: “Students are
free to come in and out of the
courtroom as and when they like
– it is an open facility that is only
closed off when it is being used
for teaching and assessments.
“It is always a highlight on
Open Days when we show it off
to prospective students during
our campus tours. We’ve even
had parents say they wish they
were coming to Northumbria to
study, once they have seen the
courtroom! It really is a special
facility that helps prepare the
next generation of solicitors and
barristers for lifelong fulfilling
careers.”
The courtroom will be open
for tours during Northumbria
University’s Open Days this
autumn.
DISCOVER MORE
To find out more about Northumbria’s
law programmes, please visit:
http://www.northumbrialawschool.co.uk
Negotiating success
with some of the brightest law
students from across the globe.”
Northumbria School of Law
is a leading provider of the
Post-Graduate Diploma in
Law for non-law graduates
wishing to practise law, and
the Legal Practice Course (LPC)
for aspiring solicitors. The
University is one of only six
institutions outside London to
provide the Bar Professional
Training Course (BPTC) and
offers an unrivalled range
of Masters programmes via
flexible distance-learning
designed for busy professionals.
‘‘
Northumbria
is one of only
six institutions
outside London
to provide
the Bar
Professional
Training
Course
‘‘
D
esigned specifically
to accommodate
the fixtures and
fittings from a former
Northumberland Magistrates
Court, this room is a faithful
recreation of a real life
courtroom, where student
barristers and solicitors can
prepare for their careers beyond
the classroom.
No detail has been overlooked
in creating this authentic space.
From the historic Royal Coat of
Arms on the wall to the subtle,
modern technology based on
systems used in Newcastle’s
Crown Court, students are
invited to defend and prosecute
simulated cases before both
judge and jury.
Victoria Murray, Principal
Lecturer in Law at Northumbria’s
School of Law said: “It is
symbolic that this room is in the
centre of the building as it really
emphasises law in practice as
being at the heart of everything
we do.
“Recreating the environment of
a courtroom really benefits our
students. It helps prepare them
John Bates, Senior Lecturer
in Law, said: “This was a
remarkable opportunity and
achievement for the students.
Our team took on strong
opposition from Germany, New
Zealand and Japan, each with
very different negotiation styles
and tactics – ranging from the
technical to the ‘bullish’. They
performed incredibly well as
ambassadors for the School and
University.”
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
Sky’s the limit for
Netball Superleague
Netball is an established favourite in the Team Northumbria roster
and the 2013-14 season looks set to be the most exciting yet.
W
ith the University’s
BUCS (British
Universities and
Colleges Sport)
team playing at the highest level
and the much-anticipated Super
League season just around the
corner, Sport Central is preparing
to play host to many of the world’s
biggest names in netball.
“I’m very optimistic about the
new campaign and can’t wait to
get cracking,” said head coach Lisa
Stanley-Craig.
“We’re looking forward to
seeing what new talent we have
now that the first years are finally
here and settling in. We’re also
thrilled to welcome back some
very experienced student netball
players on Northumbria sports
scholarships this year.”
#iwantNU
University Sport 15
Team Northumbria will
welcome back second-year law
student Emma Woodings and
Maths graduate Darcie Worsdale
into the BUCS ranks.
“We secured promotion last
year and we’re playing against
the best student teams in Britain
this time around,” Stanley-Craig
continued.
“But I’m confident the girls will
up their game and, while I don’t
have a big squad, I have a squad
of very talented student netball
players.
“I think it’s the best team we’ve
had here for some time.”
The very best of Team
Northumbria’s student players
will have the opportunity to step
up to Super League in 2014,
playing against some of the
biggest names in netball. The
league is regularly broadcast on
Sky Sports and will feature many
of next summer’s Commonwealth
games netball stars.
And Stanley-Craig added: “The
fact that Northumbria students
have a chance to play at that level is
just one of the reasons why this is
such a great place to play netball.
“The facilities we have at
Sport Central, coupled with the
specialist staff and academic
support, make it the perfect place
to reach the next level.
“Players like Darcie and Emma
have experience playing BUCS and
Super League and they’re perfect
examples of how education and
sport sit so naturally together.
“It’s a situation that’s improving
year-on-year at Northumbria and
I’ll be working hard to ensure we
continue to progress.”
DISCOVER MORE
Team Northumbria netball compete in
BUCS every Wednesday.
The 2014 Netball Super League season
kicks off early next year.
Check www.nusportcentral.com
for the latest fixture information.
University Sport
Health and fitness are not the only benefits enjoyed by students who
play sport at University. With graduate career opportunities becoming
increasingly competitive, students and staff from Northumbria University
demonstrate how sport can add a real edge to the all-important CV, while
enhancing the on-campus social experience.
B
oasting world-class
facilities, including a 3,000
seat arena, swimming pool
and state-of-the-art fitness
suite, Northumbria University
is well-equipped to cater for
students with a love of sport.
The programme on offer at both
its City Centre and Coach Lane
campuses provides opportunities
for students who want to try out
new sports, develop their talent or
compete on a national level.
Colin Stromsoy, Northumbria’s
Head of Sport, explains: “Sport
is not exclusive. You don’t have
to be studying a Sport Science
degree or have a competitive
sports background to benefit from
Northumbria’s comprehensive
sports programme. We encourage
people to play for a variety of
reasons – be it for health, social or
competitive purposes.
“Furthermore, a recent study
published in the national press
showed that students who engage
in any type of sporting activity
whilst at university are far more
likely to achieve a higher salary
once they graduate than those that
don’t.”
Colin added: “Whilst our
talented Team Northumbria
student athletes compete on a
national level, our more informal
Intra-Mural programmes offer
opportunities for any students
wishing to compete against
friends, students and staff with
an emphasis on having fun and
meeting new people. ”
Peter Bakare is one of those
talented Team Northumbria
athletes. Peter was spotted by
Northumbria’s Volleyball Coach,
David Goodchild, during the
London 2012 Olympics. Although
Peter was already a successful
Olympic athlete, he felt it was
important to his long-term career
to complete a degree. Peter was
offered a sports scholarship at
Northumbria to study Motion
Graphics and Animation while
continuing to play volleyball and
competing for Team Northumbria.
Peter said: “My family has
always pushed me to go further in
my sporting ambitions. However,
they have always pressed upon
me the importance of a university
education. I had already completed
two years at a different university
and I left to become a volleyball
player. So when I achieved my
biggest sporting ambition – to play
in the Olympic Games in London
– I thought it was a good time to
return to University.
“I have both elite sports
coaches and trainers by my side,
and professionally experienced
Animation tutors too. It’s a win-win
situation.”
The teamwork that comes hand
in hand with sport at university
also provided Peter with support
for his studies and personal
development. He said: “One of the
biggest benefits is the fact that
everyone around you understands
the pressures of being a student
and having deadlines. When you
join a team you become part of
a family. Not only do you get to
socialise with different people,
laugh, enjoy wins and hate losses
together but you also build
character, something that you need
in life that isn’t taught as easily in
the classroom. I always think of my
future boss as the coach.”
And it’s not just the playing
of sport that students can get
involved with. Hannah Marshall,
Student Sport President at
Northumbria, initially started
playing for the University’s
women’s football team. She
has since organised numerous
fundraising activities on behalf of
Northumbria’s Sport Foundation
(including an ambitious 24 hour
netball event in May 2013) and
recently travelled to Zambia to
take part in school and community
coaching activities, using sport to
raise awareness of HIV and Aids.
Hannah said: “Sport has defined
my time at Northumbria and it’s
definitely given me so much more
than a degree. In order to secure
the role as Sports President I had
to undergo a gruelling interview
process. This has given me
experience of how competitive
applying for jobs can be and
increased my confidence in this
area. I’ve also developed business
and event management skills
through planning and organising
student sports events and
fundraising activities. Additionally,
we are lucky to have the support
of a number of external business
sponsors like Brewin Dolphin
and Euro Hostels, meaning that
we are already engaging with
regional employers. I know that
Brewin currently employs around
40 Northumbria graduates, so it’s
great that we have the opportunity
to work with them on a number of
levels.”
“I definitely wouldn’t be where
I am today in terms of my job and
my personal and professional
skills if it wasn’t for sport. Sport at
University gives you invaluable life
changing skills and develops you in
ways that nothing else can.”
WATCH
Scan the code to
see a day in the life
of Peter Bakare and
Team Northumbria.
DISCOVER MORE
For more information about
Northumbria University sport,
visit www.nusportcentral.com
Autumn 2013 • northumbria.ac.uk •
NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS
Sport
16
#iwantNU
University Sport
Sky’s the limit for
Netball Superleague
University
Sport
Northumbria University will
play host to many of the
world’s biggest names
during the next 12 months.
Health and fitness are
not the only benefits
enjoyed by students who
play sport at University.
15
Volleyball
Invincibles
Eagles Flying High
Basketball is one of Britain’s fastest growing sports and Northumbria is
home to a nationally-recognised hotbed of high octane hoops action.
The Eagles’ partnership with
Northumbria is a blueprint for
success followed by fellow BBL
clubs and universities up and
down the country.
Team Northumbria men feed
into the Eagles roster – offering
Flournoy his pick of a squad
packed with potential.
And Team Northumbria’s
women are also overseen by the
Eagles, with student stars being
offered a pathway from further
education into the professional
ranks.
Team Northumbria head
coaches Marc Steutel (men) and
Josh Merrington (women) are
two of the country’s fastest-rising
playcallers, both taking their
teams to the brink of silverware
last season.
Their exciting squads play at
Sport Central most weekends –
both sides competing at a level
below the Eagles in EBL Division
One.
Since retiring from the court as
a player, Steutel has worked with
both the England and Great Britain
national teams.
And the ambitious coach has
spent time on the Eagles bench
assisting Flournoy.
‘‘
The Eagles’
partnership with
Northumbria
is a blueprint
for success
followed by fellow
BBL clubs and
universities up
and down the
country
‘‘
M
ost Fridays,
Northumbria
University’s Sport
Central plays host
to top flight sport as Newcastle
Eagles take on the cream of the
UK’s professional game.
The Eagles are the Manchester
United of the British Basketball
League (BBL) – the most
successful club of the modern era
and the biggest draw for players
looking to make their mark at the
highest level.
Player-coach Fabulous Flournoy
– an energetic New Yorker with
decades of experience - is the BBL’s
most decorated playcaller.
And he surrounds himself with
a flamboyant and fast-paced roster
of American players and emerging
domestic talent.
Northumbria students can
enjoy a unique night out on their
doorstep with a visit to the game
followed by a celebration at
neighbouring Students’ Union
bar, Habita to cap off another
Eagles win.
It’s a winning combination
guaranteed to kick off the weekend
in style.
But the basketball story doesn’t
end there for a University and club
committed to growing basketball
locally, regionally and nationally.
15
“Our partnership with Team
Northumbria is something we’re
very, very proud of,” said Flournoy.
“I thoroughly enjoy working
with Marc and Josh and watching
their players progress.
“On any given weekend Sport
Central can host as many as three
or four competitive basketball
clashes and it’s a sport that’s
become synonymous with the
Northumbria sporting experience.
“I might be biased but I’d urge
anyone new to basketball to give
the Eagles and Team Northumbria
a shot. You might be surprised!”
How many sides can boast
having won every match
of the season? Well Team
Northumbria’s women’s
volleyball team can!
The team based at
Northumbria University’s
Sport Central won each of
the club’s 47 fixtures across a
campaign that will live long in
the memory of players and fans
alike. It’s little wonder they’ve
been dubbed ‘The Invincibles!’
From their Sport Central
fortress, the team’s mix of
national league stalwarts,
talented imports and the
rising stars of student sport
conquered all - bringing home
five major trophies to cement
their reputation as the best
volleyball club in Britain.
This haul of trophies included
the 2013 BUCS (British
Universities and Colleges
Sport) Team of the Year award–
the biggest prize on offer in
University sport.
Head coach David Goodchild,
who assisted Team GB at the
2012 London Olympics, is
predicting a golden era of
volleyball on Tyneside.
“Now we’re number one,
the biggest challenge is staying
there,” said Goodchild.
“Fortunately we have an
exceptional support team here
at Northumbria University and
the facilities at Sport Central
are a massive plus in terms of
recruitment. Student athletes
love coming to Newcastle to
study and we’re confident we
can offer the right balance of
education, sport and lifestyle.”
And they head into
the 2013/14 season as
Northumbria University’s Club
of the Year.
But the success doesn’t stop
there with Team Northumbria’s
men making waves of their own
on the volleyball scene.
Led by Team GB’s London
2012 skipper, Peter Bakare,
who is himself heading into his
third year studying Animation
at Northumbria University, the
men’s squad are on course to
add to last season’s three major
title wins.
The success of both teams
follows a glowing review
in the Which? University
survey for 2013 which ranked
Northumbria as having some
of the best sporting facilities of
any university in the country.
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For more information, visit
www.nusportcentral.com or
www.newcastle-eagles.co.uk
Volleyball is back at Sport Central
in October with BUCS competitions
on Wednesdays and Super 8s
National League clashes taking
place at weekends (check www.
nusportcentral.com for fixture details).