Students smash staff in soccer showdown
The Creatives Arts and Humanities students and staff went head to head in a friendly albeit competitive soccer match on Wednesday the 9th of September.
The game kicked off at 12:30pm following a warm-up period, with some members of staff donning the high-vis bibs to even out the students' team.
Fellow students and staff members gathered on the sidelines to support and cheer on their respective teams, with an enthusiastic running commentary taking place in the second half.
In the end it was the students who taught the staff a lesson, winning with a score of 3-0 despite strong efforts shown by the losing team.
UOW lecturer and organiser of the match Dr Aaron Burton said the game was an opportunity for students and staff to get together and celebrate the creative arts community.
“It was really tough, but great fun, which is what it's really about,” he said.
“Good for everyone's morale.
“We don't know if it's going to be annual or every semester, but yeah, we're definitely looking forward to next time.”
Dr Burton spoke on the highlights of the game such as the kick that sent more than just the ball flying.
“Jared, who's a tech staff, did an awesome kick, and his shoe went just as far as the ball,” he said.
“There was also a good tackle of our goalie.”
He’s eager for the staff to take back the win and hopes more people will be interested in participating in the next match.
“I hope once students and staff see what happened that there'll be a lot more interest in it next time, a lot more students coming and getting involved,” he said.
“Then we could have some substitutes, because it is quite grueling out there.”
The student’s team were awarded the CAH Friendly Staff vs Students Soccer Match trophy, and celebrated their win with a heartfelt speech by Molly Duggan and Jack Cooper.
“We just want to say thank you for being so slow so we were able to get the trophy,” Ms Duggan said.
“This was a great idea. Thank you to Aaron for getting it organised and set up, it was a very great use of a Wednesday afternoon I think," Mr Cooper followed up more earnestly.
Students Thomas Panayiotou and Earl Powell, who were among the winners of the day, expressed their desire to see more friendly staff vs student competitions.
“It's a prestigious game. I'm happy to make history and to win the first game,” Mr Panayiotou said.
“I felt bad for the faculties not having their own soccer game. It should be maybe in the future, five years time, a whole uni students vs teachers game.”
“As soon as I saw the opportunity, I saw it flick through me and I was like that. That just sounds like a bunch of fun,” added Mr Powell.
“I don't see why we couldn't make staff for students games a regular thing.”
Good sportsmanship shown from both sides meant that referee Dr Mohammad Makki’s red and yellow sticky notes remained in his pocket the entire game, a testament to the positive atmosphere of the day.
“It was a great game. The referee didn't have to get his cards out and we're very grateful for the staff that took part and played for our team as well and helped us to victory,” Mr Powell said.
