We are delighted to announce that St Hugh’s third year student, Georgie Milner Day (Human Sciences, 2019) has been appointed as this year’s Inclusion Officer within the University’s Sports Council. The role will combine Georgie’s life-long enthusiasm for sport with her belief that no one should be excluded from opportunities to take part in sport.
Georgie explained, ‘Sport has always been an important part of my life. Indeed, when I was less than six months old my mum enrolled us in the parent and baby swimming class, and I have not stopped swimming since. I feel so grateful to have been accepted for this role, and for the opportunity to carry out meaningful work at the intersection of two of my passions: sport and advocating for improved inclusivity and representation. Being involved in sport at Oxford has been a great opportunity to meet friends, push myself physically and maintain my mental wellbeing’.
As part of her role as Inclusion Officer Georgie has highlighted three goals, one of which is to improve LGBTQ+ inclusivity and representation by facilitating networking between LGBTQ+ members of sports clubs and reducing barriers to the participation of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse athletes in clubs and competitions. Details on Georgie’s other goals which are working with the “Oxford Against Sexual Violence” campaign and improving disable access, can be found here.
Alongside these goals, Georgie said, ‘The Inclusion and Access Network will provide a great platform for hearing and acting on the suggestions of other students who are interested in improving the inclusivity and accessibility of Oxford sport’.
Georgie believes that the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly impacted both her studies and mental wellbeing. However, she explained, ‘The friendships I had established prior to the pandemic, including those I made through my involvement in sport, have been hugely important during this time’.
If anyone is keen to join the network or has any advice on how to make sport spaces more inclusive, please send Georgie an email.
The Sports Council is made up of primarily elected student officers/representatives and other representative sport/student roles such as the Sports Federation, Students’ Union Representative and the Blues Committee President. Its main aim is to harness student opinions to improve the standard, efficiency, diversity and participation in sport at the University.
