The Gym 'N' all that

Not many students at Victoria University are designed to Olympic specifications.

The few who are, join sports clubs, win Blues and trophies and, when fully developed, may even become political embarrassments.

The Average Student is by contrast, average. He-She-It has cultivated over the years a versatile athletic mediocrity which has acted as an effective shield against the excesses of physical excellence and which, most importantly, has prepared Him-Her-It well for participation in the programmes of physical recreation organised by the Physical Welfare Officers at the Gym (near the Library).

All participation is free and voluntary and there are no pre-requisites apart from interest. All courses are designed with the [unclear: Aerage] Student in mind and cater primarily for the unskilled, the unfit and the inexperienced While 'the few' need no more encouragement to take part than the knowledge that regular physical exercise is undoubtedly good for them, the Average Student at university takes exercise because he enjoys it, because he needs, it and because he can see some point in it.

There are many opportunities open to him. He may like to organise his own recreation and plan his own exercise programme. In this case he is welcome to make use of the facilities at the Gym whenever he wishes. Allowance is made in time-table planning for the 'casual' visitor. Courts and tables are left free as often as practicable for the student who is suddenly, but only rarely, inspired to exercise.

Some students prefer not to commit themselves in advance to regular times or to a series of lessons. Others may like to take advantage of the courses of instruction which are offered in such games and skills as golf, badminton, ski-ing, dance, trampolining and weight training. Attendance at all classes is voluntary and free you can be fit for nothing - and although they are usually designed In blocks of six weekly sessions, students may join or leave a group at any time. Most of the courses begin in the second week of each term but newcomers are always welcome.

The Intramural Sports Programme enables those who enjoy playing an indoor team game at a social pace and in a sociable atmosphere to take regular exercise in this form.

The Average Student, with His-Her-Its benevolent suspicion of conclusive scientific evidence, may doubt that academic performance is considerably influenced by an individual's level of physical fitness, but may, nevertheless, see some point in coming to the Gym. He-She-It may want to lose weight, lift weight, gain weight or rearrange it; to ask about a Sports Club; to use the telephone; to foster recovery from inury, illness, depression or premature degeneration; to shower to turned-on music; to seek advice on exercise," to hide; to buy an ice-cold drink or scrounge a hot one; to arrange an introduction to one of the other welfare services; to hire an ice-axe; to watch the harbour disappear; to offer assistance to children; or just to look.

All students and staff are invited to take advantage of the physical recreational opportunities at Victoria University. There is a staff of physical educationists at the Gym who will discuss these opportunities with interested individuals, suggest ways of meeting specific needs and argue, with anyone who will listen, that there is certainly 'point' to exercise even for the Average Student.

(Extract from "Introduction to Student Recreation". Copies available, free, at the Gym.)