8.—Student Sports Council

The common failure of VUC teams at Tournament must not be accepted complacently or excused by saying that we did our best, or the opposition was so strong, or that we interpret eligibility clauses more strictly than other Colleges. VUC teams are too often poorly coached (as regards style and technique), inadequately prepared (as regards fitness and finish) and hence produce our perennial crop of wooden spoons—the measure of sub-standard performance. It seems, too that the policy of rejecting possible representatives who compete in other sports for non-college clubs has been unsuccessful and should be reviewed.

What can be done? The [unclear: cket] and [unclear: rugby] clubs are showing that drive, energetic leadership and organisation can effect the needed change in attitude and produce a "will to win." It is suggested that a Sports Council representative of all clubs should be set up by the Executive to enquire into specific weaknesses in VUC performances, to conduct a campaign for membership and to unearth talent, to co-ordinate club activities, and to produce physical and psychological bases for more worthy representation in future Tournaments.