Sick initiations for Swansea University students to join sport clubs

STUDENTS wanting to join sporting clubs at Swansea University are allegedly being subjected to vile initiation ceremonies.

According to the university's newspaper, The Waterfront, some students are having to take part in games which see them drink as much as possible in order to foster team spirit — despite the practice being banned by the Students' Union.

One student, who didn't wish to be named, told the newspaper: "We had to down a can of beer, then a bottle of wine, then throw up into a bucket, swap buckets then drink each other's sick.

"Then we did press ups, as many as we can, then arm wrestles. We were all drunk by the time we had to do the more revolting things."

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Speaking of an initiation apparently carried out the men's football team, another student said: "I was told they had to drink a litre of alcohol before being sick and peeing in a bucket. The contents of the bucket were thrown down a slide and they had to roll in it."

Another student claimed the women's rugby team had to drink a shot of alcohol through a tampon.

Imogen Stanley, the Students' Union sports officer, told the paper, however, there would not be an investigation into the allegations.

She said: "The Students' Union asks all club committees to sign an agreement at the start of each academic year that ensures they will not participate in any activities which would make new or existing members feel uncomfortable or excluded from the club.

"If the Students' Union is made aware of any such initiations, appropriate action will be taken. As no complaint has been lodged with the Students' Union no investigation will be taking place. If any students would like to make a complaint they can do so to any of the full-time officers or the Students' Union general manager." Cockett councillor Mitchell Theaker, who graduated from the university earlier this year, said: "I think this is something quite common at universities, I would be surprised if it was unique to Swansea. They are normally secretively done, if the university knew more about them it would be quite easy to put a stop to it. I would say these people are definitely in the minority of students, most of whom are responsible."

A university spokesman said: "The Student Charter, drawn up by the university and the Students' Union, which we expect all students to follow, states that as a student, you will behave responsibly in the community and avoid activities likely to bring the university into disrepute."