Uni hockey club in ban over ‘initiation rituals’

THE University of Birmingham’s hockey club is among a number of teams banned from a sports night after a survey showed initiation rituals were harming students’ mental health.

The university’s sport department and the Students’ Guild carried out the survey after being alerted by security staff, before taking action against a “minority” of clubs.

The hockey club’s committee said it was tackling the issue alongside the university, putting “a number of solutions in place”.

Initiation rituals have been thrust into the spotlight after an inquest into the death of a Newcastle University student following excessive drinking at an Agricultural Society event.

Ed Farmer, 20, collapsed after 20 first years who ordered a 100 triple vodkas during a bar crawl where participants also drank vodka from a pig ’s head, bobbed apples in a bucket of urine and had their heads shaved.

Simon Price, Sports Officer at Birmingham’s Guild of Students, said in a statement : “Upon hearing of incidents from Guild security following the first sports night of term, I worked with the mental health and well-being society to produce an initial feedback form to receive responses anonymously in regards to club initiations/ welcome drinks.

“From these responses there were incidents that were deemed inappropriate and have consequently been addressed by UBSport and the Guild.

“While it has been upsetting to hear of this behaviour from a minority of clubs, the majority of feedback was positive, with new members feeling welcomed into their club.”

The university confirmed an investigation had taken place.

A spokesman said: “The University has clear policies, support and training in place for student sports clubs that aim to avoid anti-social behaviour during social events.

The university’s hockey told student culture website that they were taking the issue very seriously. club