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Touch Rugby and the people who play it have meant so much to me during my time at university and going into my final year I would love to give back to the society.

From first year where almost the entire society could fit into one room to the huge group of amazing people that have taken home silverware from the biggest tournament in the UK, to me the thing that has always made this sport great is the people who play it and the sense of community that exists.

This is why I would love to be the Welfare and Charity Secretary for the next year. I see it as a huge opportunity to ensure that people really enjoy their time at the club and trust it as a safe space. I've had experience in outreach roles before and am really passionate about mental health, having struggled with it myself during my university period. I hope that my experience allows me to help anyone with an issue and I would like to increase the profile of the society as somewhere students can seek advice, and most importantly as a welcoming space where they can be themselves.

Welcoming new members to the society in September will be an important focus, and I would aim to improve retention of new players after the initial Give It A Go sessions. But I would also like to set up support systems for returning and established members. I know for me, Touch has often been an escape from some of the pressures of study, work and deadlines, both in its social aspects and the training sessions. It's really important to me to try and ensure that all aspects of the society are a place where members don't have to worry or be nervous about attending, not just two months in but from the very start of the year. I firmly believe this will translate across to the competitive side of the sport as well, communication was something frequently mentioned after games this year and players who are confident in their own ability and able to voice observations or ideas will make for stronger squads.

As for the Charity side of the position, I already have some ideas of events we could run throughout the year to raise money and awareness for some fantastic organisations. Obviously there are the bigger traditional ones like Movember, Breast Cancer Awareness, and the Leeds Half Marathon, but organising charity tournaments for instance could raise the profile of the society, get more people playing the sport and raise money for charities - it's not like we don't already have plenty of Oddballs kit around, as just one example.

I've seen this position done really well and the difference it can make in a society and that's something I would really like to bring to it next year. I would like to think that I am approachable and always willing to take the time and listen to what someone has to say. And my experience with the sport, the society and the university means that I can help with the running of things like training sessions. I am truly passionate about this role and have loads of ideas of how we can continue to build on the amazing efforts of previous committees and create a society that we all love being a part of.

All of that said, I'm really looking forward to playing touch for another year and to seeing as many of you as possible back in September. You all make the society what it is and are the number 1 reason I keep coming back year after year. Massive good luck to everyone in the elections!

Oh and the poster is our Social Sec and I being supportive of whatever is going on over there.