Ben Turner - Athletic Union President

Ben Turner - AU President

Do you want Ben's job for 2008-9?  Click here to find out more. 

What does your job actually entail? What do you see as your main responsibilities?

I oversee all the sports clubs in the Students' Union and work together with the AU administrator and the rest of the sabbatical team to provide a better student experience at Cardiff University.  The role of the AU president is to be a central liaison officer to look after the interests of all members of the AU and to be the first point of contact for any club with any Club issues and also lobby the University and local agencies for better sporting assistance, create more and better clubs within the student body and make Cardiff a higher achieving sporting University.

What do you think the job demands in terms of personal attributes or skills?

All you need is to have the thirst and enthusiasm to become involved in a forward-thinking organization.  If you bleed red, white and black then the AU is the place to be!

What do you enjoy most about the job?

Working to ensure people can become part of something special and enjoyable whilst at university, thus improving their lives here at Cardiff and making sure it's an experience students will never forget.

What are the challenges/obstacles you face?

Money doesn't grow on trees and there are not enough sports facilities!

What have you achieved since coming into your role?

Successful BUSA clubs, a large IMG League, maintained participation rates, secured sponsorship, improved the AU website, ensured success of the Varsity and AU Awards.

What's next?

To increase participation by widening the opportunities available to all students through sports, societies, events and fundraisers. Ensuring that we capture what students want and developing it with them.   I plan to do this by allocating resources and creating practices to ensure that students have the knowledge and ability to get involved!

Would you recommend your role? If so, why?

Yes - there is so much more we can achieve, the potential is huge! Also it allows a great stepping stone in your career, learning many new skills along the way.