Malaysian Society: Sports Director

Hi I'm Jojo, and I’m running for sports director next year! The transition of being away from home can often feel lonely and daunting, especially the first few weeks. However, through the social sports sessions and Mgames, I was able to connect with people from home, which really helped me in settling into a new environment.

Coming from a boarding school that offered a diverse range of sports, I had always been given loads of opportunities to participate in sports teams and competitions. From netball to volleyball, football to track and field… I am fortunate that I was able to experience the thrill, the spirit and the joy sports can foster, and I hope our members can have the same. 

With a background in event organising, I am well-equipped to plan events such as London Mgames, friendly matches, and social sessions for our members. By proposing more beginner friendly sport activities like a family sports day, I aim to bring the members of UCL MSoc together through sports, which I believe is one of the best opportunities to bond and network amongst other Malaysians within and beyond UCL!

Here is the link to my complete manifesto, feel free to check out my future plans:))

Key goals to achieve next year:

• Family sports day
• More beginner friendly sport socials (e.g. mixed netball, captain ball, frisbee…)
• Inter-societies and MSocs friendly matches 
• London Mgames and merch collaboration 

Thank you for your time and happy voting! 

To me, there’s two sides to sport; fight and growth.

Firstly, fight. As a four-time MGames captain and player for TeamUCL Netball, I know the importance of competition and being a little ‘kiasu’ sometimes ;). As Sports Director, I aim to make UCLMSoc one of those teams other unis are scared of at MGames; the “Ala, asik dia orang je yang menang” teams. I’ll be honest and say I feel there’s room for improvement in our MGames; we’re often losing to teams with more ‘gel’ and better chemistry than us. As SD, I'll help with organizations and court bookings to ensure MGames trainings start weeks in advance to get our chemistries up. As SD, I promise to bring out my inner Pep Guardiola ;) and do my best to turn UCLMSoc into MGames goats.

Secondly, growth. Sport isn’t always about competition – sometimes, it’s about growth. Personally, as a woman, I know it can be scary to put yourself out there with the risk of 'failing' or looking silly. Also, for us hijabis, I feel it can sometimes be uncomfortable, both physically and mentally. So, I’d like to start all-girls sports events in secluded rooms, so women can get active in clothes and environments they’re comfortable in. Beyond gender, I hope to give everyone a safe space in sport, no matter your ability/experience, by holding casual socials and beginner games.

There’s two sides to sports, fight and growth, both equally important to one another – and as your Sports Director, I promise to do my best to give you the best of both worlds.

Having played volleyball for quite a while at state level in Malaysia and Australia, I've seen firsthand the friendship and enjoyment that come from spending time with friends in sports. I firmly believe that sports is about more than just the game itself; it’s also about the friendships and memories formed off the court/field. I hope to instil the same sense of belonging when coordinating sports events. 

My experiences from leadership positions in various societies and serving as a team captain for multiple seasons provided me with ample experience in managing various sports teams and fostering a collaborative environment. With my involvement in the MSoc RD programme and a passion for sports and community engagement, I acquired firsthand knowledge of the intricacies of event planning and coordination within MSoc. My vision for my tenure is to lead the society towards a more active, inclusive, and vibrant sports culture.

Aims:

• Increase access and engagement to encourage Malaysians to try new sports 
• More free or subsidised social sessions, at least 2-3 times a month, to encourage regular engagement and foster a sense of community.
• Collaborate with other societies and universities (eg. MSocs and SingSocs from London universities) to host more socials and competitions to expand our network and participation.
• Encourage participation in all UK MGames

 Can't wait to serve as your Sports Director for ‘24/’25 with the rest of the talented committee! :)