Rugby star and TV presenter Matt Dawson
touched down at Northumbria University, Newcastle, to explore the latest in
student accommodation and catch-up with some of rugby’s rising talent.
The former England captain paid a visit to
the University’s newly refurbished Winn Studios accommodation which is located
in the city’s vibrant Ouseburn Valley.
Operated by student accommodation provider Student
Living by Sodexo, Rugby World Cup winner Dawson took the chance to look around
the flats in his role as Sodexo UK ambassador for health and wellbeing.
“It’s the first time that I’ve had a good
look around Newcastle and I’m very impressed,” he said. “I particularly like
how city central the University’s campus, accommodation and facilities are,
which makes the University and Newcastle feel like a very close community.
“Sodexo has done a fabulous job working with
Northumbria to find out exactly what students want from their accommodation and
the result is telling. Many students are young and leaving home for the first
time and it’s important that they live, work and socialise in an environment
they feel comfortable in.
“But it shouldn’t end there – it’s about
enabling students to live independently, helping them to cook, clean, even wash
their clothes. The University and Sodexo are providing that education for
students which is what really stood out for me.”
Fiona Stewart, Contract Director, Student
Living by Sodexo said “Working in partnership with the University to refurbish
the reception areas and student social spaces within Winn Studios this year has
been instrumental in creating a much better living learning environment for our
students” “Students are using this space more than ever, encouraging students
to make more social connections and lifelong friends was one of the key drivers
of the refurbishment.
The Question of Sport panellist took time to
visit the University’s £30 million state-of-the-art Sport Central facility,
where he spent time talking to two of the University’s British Universities &
Colleges Sport (BUCS) Super Rugby players, Louis Musetti and Laurence Lilley.
He also expressed particular interest in the
University’s new ‘Active Halls’ programme which encourages students in
Northumbria halls of residence to take part in an annual tournament that
includes activities such as pool, Frisbee and dodgeball.
“Sport should be accessible for anybody that
wants to be active,” said Dawson. “It’s about looking after yourself both
physically and mentally and if that means playing a game of pool with your
mates or simply getting off the bus one stop early and walking the rest of the
way, then that’s what it’s all about.
“For those students who play more competitive
team sports, I would always recommend playing in different positions. It
improves your game and it makes you aware of what the rest of your teammates
are doing. But most of all enjoy what you’re doing and be open-minded. I learnt
more in the last two years of my professional playing career, so be mindful,
you never stop learning or developing.”
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