Northumbria freshers left intimidated by initiation
Northumbria students left feeling degraded after rugby initiations force dangerous drinking and naked humiliation
On Wednesday October 5 a Northumbria University rugby union night out turned foul as freshers were systematically humiliated by other squad players.
One talented first year, amongst a group of new players to leave in disgust, spoke to The Courier of how what was what was advertised as a ‘team-building’ social became an exercise in embarrassment.
He described how they were made to “drop their trousers and do press-ups” whilst “a crowd of people watched from the Students’ Union.”
He explained how in a city centre bar “everyone was in a circle, then freshers were made to go into the middle and dance naked”.
In addition, “second and third years chose freshers to hold up by their feet until they saw off whatever drinks were put in front of them.”
Walking around town they were forced to partake in a game dubbed ‘lunge’ in which members had to “try and get with” passing girls. In another bar, the freshers were then told to order triple whiskey with no ice or mixer and by the time the team reached their final club “there were not very many rugby players left.”
A witness described how the Northumbria freshers were “on the floor in a big pile, rolling down towards [a club] that night. If any fresher fell out of the pile then the non-freshers would pick them up by their collars, scream in their faces and then throw them back into the pile.”
A week later an email was sent out to the freshers demanding they bring “lacy underwear, a 200 gram block of cheese, Tobasco sauce and a porn mag”.
“This is just what I’ve heard,” added the revolted student “but apparently there were some instances of second and third years being sick on freshers”.
He expressed his dismay at the activities they engaged in: “I’d heard about rugby initiations before and that they were quite bad but I just thought a lot of drinking.” He added he expected “nothing that would be threatening or anything like that.”
When asked what happened that shocked him he said: “Instead of being greeted it was almost Military. It wasn’t a welcoming environment […] although the emails before you go say don’t be scared of this [the night out], that wasn’t the case.”
Asked if the night out had put him off University sport he commented: “Yeah, I’m now going to just play for a local club. The way the second and third years conducted themselves I don’t want to be in a team with those people. They just didn’t seem like nice people,” he finished.
Head Coach of Northumbria Rugby Union, Andy Buist, told The Courier that: “We take a zero tolerance attitude towards any activity that could in any way be described as an ‘initiation.’ All Northumbria students involved in sport are made aware of this policy and the consequences of acting in disregards to this.
The safety and welfare of all students is and always will be Northumbria University’s top priority.’ When a Northumbria student was asked to sum up what he felt about the night out he said: ‘I’m just disappointed to be honest… it’s just a shame.
Northumbria boast one of the top sporting set-ups in the country, including their new £30million state-of-the-art Sport Central, that has attracted professional sports teams such as the Newcastle Eagles and a lot of attention as a potential training facility in the lead up to next summer’s Olympic Games.
Athletic Union Officer at Newcastle University, Alice Holloway, stated: ‘The AU believes that our students should be able to enjoy playing sport free from intimidation and that’s why initiations are banned at Newcastle. Whilst we do have specific performance sports, a large proportion of the AU clubs are open to all abilities and no one should ever feel they are being pressured into doing things they don’t want to, or that they are not welcome socially.”
Initiations are an aspect of university life that has been suspect to extensive media coverage in recent years.
The excessive drinking and the extensive activities that accompany them has led to increasing number of accidents and even casualties.
In 2003 a student at Staffordshire University choked to death on his own vomit as a result of a game requiring to pick out a deflated ballon with his teeth from a trough of chilli, dog food and pig offal.
In 2005 a student at Hull University suffocated to death as he slept at the bottom of his stairs after consuming aprroximately 12 pints and six shots.
More recently, in June 2011, the University of Gloucestershire came under intense media scrutiny after it was revelaed some initations required participants to perform ‘sex acts’ on a public bus.
This specific incident led to six of the players facing criminal charges and the disbanding of the rugby and football clubs.
Both male and female students across the country have described the stomach churing activities involved in initiations, as ‘frightening’ and ‘degrading’.
A student at Gloucestershire University, an institution that has previously been the centre of such investigations, described their ordeal involving ‘a lot of vomiting, we were taken upstairs to a car park and pelted with flour, washing-up liquid and eggs’.
They are even common in professional sport, with England winger Chris Ashton revealing in March of this year that he had to have 21 different alcoholic drinks to be ‘initiated’ into the England squad.
However, there are individuals who believe that initiations should be left alone. Chris Baker, a graduate from University of Wales Institute in Cardiff (UWIC) said: ‘Initiations shouldn’t be banned because they help build team spirit and espeically help to generate a better relationship between freshers and other members of the club.’
This doesn’t sound or look anything like a smear campaign does it? All sources anonymous, grapevine reporting. Wills, you also fail to mention how 2 years ago two Newcastle University freshers ended up in A&E with broken bones as a result of the rugby initiation. Bit of objectivity wouldn’t go amiss.
This isn’t a smear campaign, this was an interview with a fresher at Northumbria. We wouldn’t have reported it if it was hearsay and if we didn’t feel the events were significant.
@Daniel Roy — Just because the sources are anonymous does not mean the article isn’t based on fact. Without anonymous sources it would be incredibly difficult to publish articles that dealt with such issues.
How about you report on any acheivements or other positive aspects of your own university and interview your own freshers rather than interviewing other universities freshers on something which clearly has nothing to do with you. It’s quite pathetic and it’s reasons like this that Newcastle and Northumbria have such awful rivlary between each other.
Seriously, this sort of thing has been about for a very long time, it’s not like its something new. This is a regular thing for sporting teams at Universities or local clubs, and it builds team spirit and friendships. At the end of the day its only a bit of fun, and if they don’t like it they can always so no can’t they? No-one is being physically forced to drink whatever concoction of drink is put in front of them, or being physically forced to do anything else.
It just seems like you’ve interviewed someone who doesn’t seem to enjoy this sort of thing at all, which is fine but whats the point in writing an article about it? Daily Mail-esque if you ask me.
Initiations or welcomes are a part of sport and male dominated groups, they always have and they always will be. I myself have been welcomed and it was one of the best nights I have had. Nobody goes too far and the older students follow a code as well as looking out for things that may go too far. Clearly you have never taken part in one of these yourself. One guy had a problem out of the many that took part.
So a few of the older guys took them to a few bars and told them to see off a couple of drinks, so what? Students see off drinks all the time as part of drinking games etc. As for the trousers down stuff it’s probably not the cleverest thing to do but it’s harmless fun, I mean all the boys do have to take a shower together after a match. As for “lunging” you make it sound out to be rape, it is nothing but a bit of fun and games that never goes too far.
You need to get some perspective on student life and begin to act your age. This is possibly the worst article I have ever read, you act high and mighty but I’m sure you’ve been a bit crazy yourself after a few drinks.
I would like to re-itterate that the sources for this article contacted us about the story. We report the news whether its our university or any other university around the country. The rivalry is nothing to do with the issue. This article highlights the difference between ‘initiations’ and physical violence and intimidation which was what was experience by some of the freshers on this this night out
In the article we’re highlighting the fact students were coerced in doing some things they weren’t comfortable with. There is a difference between initiations and forcibly making somebody do something they are uncomfortable doing.
If they didn’t enjoy it they could walk away, simple as. Get a life, you’ve created a storm over nothing with this nonsense
Fair enough but I’m assuming that you sought the interview out, as If he were that bothered he’d have gone to the sports prez and voiced his concerns rather than going across the road to the Newcastle paper.
Furthermore, if you have only interviewed one person then why have you written the article to sound as though you did a far reaching investigation into the night, with multiple sources? I’m not condoning the actions of the students, merely questioning how this story came together as it sounds exaggerated in terms of the multiple witnesses and sources you claim to have.
If you break this story down, and cut out all the fancy words trying to make it sounds worse then it actually is, its the story of a load of student rugby lads going out, drinking too much, taking off their clothes and generally egging eachother on and being daft, in which case you would have a new story for every university in the country every single week.
BREAKING NEWS…..Lads go out, drink too much, roll around on the floor, embarrass themselves trying to kiss girls and take their clothes off
You have actually written an article based on this? A definite smear campaign written by a “holier than thou” Newcastle University student. Congratulations though, with that attitude you’ll go far in your journalism career with rubbish magazines or tabloids. However you may want to dumb down how you write etc, generally the people interested by articles as rubbish this aren’t very intelligent.
I was a little dissapointed that no one was interviewed that may have enjoyed this night out. I only left university a few years ago and it sounds like they are doing the same things we did. It’s simply passing the baton on. Older students follow rules, they take care of freshers who drink too much and make sure they get home. Everyone has to do this night once, its a good laugh and harmless fun. However it isn’t for everyone and some people do prefer to go and play for clubs rather than university. That’s fine, but shouldn’t be going to papers about it. Too much time on your hands fresher, see that off!
I was a Fresher at this event and at no point was i “systematically humiliated”, the author of this article clearly does not understand the good banter and tradition of a sports team. The older students were not “intimidating” or “frightening”, but simply joined in the antics as the night went on. All that occured was a lad’s night out which is now being labelled as “dangerous”? Ridicuous …
Willis, I was there as a fresher that night and loved it! Best night of my life. You’ve exagerated a lot of this and made up the rest. Also you’ve obviously only got that one lads opinion on it cos I know loads of freshers that loved it! Get ur facts right mate.
On your Facebook it shows you, dressed as tiger, while your mate shoves a girl’s face into your crotch…
I know this is by no means a new phenomenon and that many sports clubs initiations are just a bit of fun, but the fact that some people have died after such events does show there’s a darker side to it all, and as it’s an issue with universities nationwide, why shouldn’t a university paper cover it?
Yes, it might gave been better if the author of this article had included a quotation or two from members of sports clubs where initiations are well run in order to balance things up a bit, but the issue itself is worth reportin
^ sent that too soon. Last sentence should say ‘the issue itself is worth reporting on in my opinion’.
As a journalist you’re surely required to report facts not idle speculation. I understand the need to address the issue, yet this article fails to remain impartial and reeks of personal bias. If I were you I would omit this from any portfolio you provide the potential future employers because it merely highlights your inadequacies as a journalist. I understand as a probable Daily Mail reader you are exposed to this journalistic drivel on a daily basis, but please spare us from the same fate! Take a long hard look at this article and I’m sure that you will see my point.
On our initiations, we drink tea and read books. A jolly time is had by all.
Although I have heard that across in Dundee they like to get a bit rowdy and fuck shit up, especially after giving us a damn good thrashing on the rugby pitch.
I think this story raises an important issue, they may be optional but if more people were aware of what actually occurs at the initiations then maybe they would decide not to participate before peer pressure made it too difficult to back out.
northumbria rugby union team are a bunch of bellends..
@anonymous. I wonder what uni u go to! Keep your shit chat to yourself.
How brave of you anonymous.
Liz, its naive of you to think they don’t know what they are getting themselves into. A google search of rugby initiation reveals exactly what to expect and much worse. Anyway its beside the point, in reporting this story Wills appears to have abused reportage to the point where the credibility of this story is stretched. This undermines any salient point the article tries to make.
You say it’s not about the rivalry but you make Northumbria sound so negative and forget to mention how Newcastle uni has done initiations that were just as bad. I agree with a previous comment, this is very Daily Mail-esque, over exaggerating a negative point because someone had a bad night when actually, a lot of people seemed to have enjoyed this night.
I don’t agree with some of the things they were made to do but they’re all big boys and could’ve said no so they should not complain.
You should be writing positive things about your own university rather than tearing down the reputation of another, it’s petty and immature. You should also learn to proof read because to be honest, some of this is badly written and has spelling and grammatical errors.
Lucy in regards to your point, yes people have died at initiations, and this is unnacceptable. But people have also died on nights out or even playing rugby so are you saying these have a darker side and should be banned too? Its always easy to focus on a tragedy and associate the whole thing with this, but this is more of an alcohol fuelled accident which can occur to anyone at anytime.
I have been involved in 4 rugby initiations both as a dad and as a son and i was never forced to do anything that i didn’t want to do nor did i force anyone to do anything they didn’t want to do. It is a bit of fun.
If people don’t want to take part then they don’t have to. The article says that the “source” of the information decided not to take part so i don’t see why he is so bothered anyway. Wills has clearly never been involved in rugby banter and so he doesn’t understand.
What a fantastic piece of journalism there by a biased and misguided individual.
Is this not a national problem? Young people drinking too much and getting into trouble? To stigmatise the behaviour of a small group of students is ludicrous and frankly appauling. Are Newcastle Sports teams not also as bad? As someone who has worked first hand in the Newcastle Night time economy I can say from first hand experience that this is not just a problem for Northumbria Rugby teams but also similar scenes are regularly seen by both Newcastle and Northumbria teams, boys and girls! Not to mention bars selling cheap alchol, Sports teams and societies being sponsored by bars and correct me if I’m wrong but does Newcastle Freshers week not get heavily finacially sponsored by the Gate and surrounding bars?
You mentioned Northumbria Student’s Union as a venue where one incident occured. I can confirm first hand of the excellent policy they employ, initiation games such as those mentioned above are not allowed, taxis are provided free of charge to anyone who has drunk too much and at large events like Welcome Week, a team of paraemdics are on site.
Whoever wrote this should be ashamed of themselves. Taking isolated incidents and making a front cover story out of it when the reala issues such as Union sponsorship and Team Northumbria being sponsored by a promotions group within the city.
The so called “journalist” responsible has more chance of wrapping fish and chips with newspapers than ever writing for one. What an utter joke.
On a seperate note – During Welcome Week and Rag week for the past 3 or 4 years, Newcastle Freshers and Rag teams have not only got totally ‘mortalled’ in their team t-shirts (and im not talking about on shirt signing night), but the teams ON DUTY have been more drunk than the Northumbria students who came across them (and thats saying something!). Piece of advice – People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
I hope the Vice-Chancellor finds out and intervenes. This is slanderous, misguided and full of bias. What that must do for the reputation of Newcastle University is amazing. Especially when you consider the hypocricy of Newcastle SU and the state they get Freshers in with bar crawls through the town during welcome week.
Chill out guys, it’s only a s****y Uni paper. Think you should all go out and get smashed. ‘DOWN IT FRESHER’
I don’t think its the rugby initiations you should worry about Wills, The Northumbria hockey girls made me eat cat shit off the captains stick. It was honestly awful. Is this all part of banter? Worst part is I didn’t even try out for the team.
Only joking but probably true.
Im a poly stalwart and don’t have any time for this rat-fresher sell out.
“False Accusation…Two Fingers Wills Robinson”
trousers down…see it off Fresher!
Snowball out!
R.E. Daniel Roy
You’re right, I was being naive. Maybe I can make up over coffee? Lol joke troll!
@Liz Maybe he can make it up by swilling you with a cherry VK, or would that harmless fun also get an article from Mr Robinson?
I really hope this article was worth it as you have done your own reputation and that of the paper no good with such a poor attempt at slander.
MAN UP BOYS.
this is how the poly roll.
i’m a fresher who was on the initiation, i was not forced to do anything i didn’t want to do, and i enjoyed the night only happens once so why not enjoy it. being part of a team is all about doing it for the team, over the years i know all the 2nd and 3rd years in the room must have done a initiation, so if i want to be part of that team why should i get special treatment and not have to do anything… However about time Newcastle uni stop spreading such slanderous s**t and get over yourself. Go find a story at your own uni.
I think a lot of you guys need to stop seeing this as a Newcastle dig at Northumbria, it’s a story that i think makes a fair point about initiations. Obviously there are certain traditions and that is fine, but humiliation in this form is certainly the worst way to try and integrate a group of vulnerable first years in to a team. Perhaps there could be an element from the other side to balance the story but having said that, if the scenes described by the first year in the piece are accurate it seems like a difficult event to defend. Even if a majority of those involved in the initiation survived the night and are better for it the fact that it can have such an effect on a student that it put him off University Sport just shows how brutal and unnecessary the evening was.
I think initiations have their uses, but, some clearly turn in to a power trip and take advantage of vulnerable freshers. As for the comments that everyone involved had a choice, it’s undoubtedly the case that many freshers will feel obliged to go through with absurd rituals as they are desperate to play for the team, which isn’t really an environment where freedom of choice applies.
I just think it is a poor piece of journalism, the title of the article is “Northumbria freshers left intimidated by initiation” however the writer only used one source as evidence for this so surely the uses of the plural “freshers” is incorrect, it should be “fresher”. Also if these freshers were so “humiliated” by this night why would you put a picture up identifying some of them, surely humiliating them more? Where are those brains that got you into Newcastle University
In the Polo initiation I had to lick horse sweat off a girth and then muck-out completely starckers! I felt so degraded and called mummy in tears straight after. Nothing like that ever happened at pony club camp.
After saying, “This is just what i’ve heard” in the article. And then going onto say in your comment, “it is not Hearsay”. Sorry but, please confirm to me how this is not hearsay….
@Rory B-B How is” Northumbria freshers left intimidated by initiation” not a dig?
Yes I agree there is a valid point about initiation getting a little out of hand but this is a one off occurrence with ‘one talented first year’ who felt degraded. I’m sure there is quite a few Newcastle ‘talented first years’ who have also felt like this! After your poor performance maybe you should finish your degree before you class yourself as a ‘journalist’ as this blatantly isn’t going to be deemed your best piece of work.
The writers of the Northumbria magazine highlight the success and positive attitude of it’s students, maybe Newcastle should be taking a leaf out of their book!
Mario, in an ideal world everyone would want to read about the success and positive attitude of their students, but lets be honest. People want to read stories that shock them and are entertaining. I’m not saying this is a good thing but it’s a fact.
@Rory B-B please take your misguided opinions elsewhere. As academics we can appreciate that ‘facts’ are born out of empirical research. I see no research, hence I see no ‘facts’. Please feel free to respond if you see flaws in my reasoning. Although to do so you would have to take your toffee nose out of mummy and daddy’s rear end and actually enter the real world. Then communicate with the rest of society.Quite the quandary for a double-barrelled t$*t like yourself x
That initiation last night was totally crazy, I wish we taped it, we drank are face off and all got completely naked, downed vk’s and saw of drinks, pulled some 10’s and took home skanks, passed out at 3 missed uni at 10 went to McDonalds , then trained again.
I love polly, and I love drinking,
I hate posh kids
And pollys winning
The thing about initiations that night is what you print is a load shite, Check your facts and holler back, get some jack wills and improve your crack, maybe some Abercrombie later on, put some classic music on. Enjoy your Barbour and your hay, keep letting daddy pay the way.
That initiation last night was totally crazy, I wish we taped it, we drank are face off and all got completely naked, downed vk’s and saw of drinks, pulled some 10’s and took home skanks, passed out at 3 missed uni at 10 went to mcdonalds , then trained again.
I hate posh kids, but I love drinking
I love polly
We get steaming.
I love polly, and I love drinking,
I hate posh kids
And pollys winning
Lung lunge lunge lunge lunge lunge lunge lunge AYYYY.
I LOVE POLLY. AND I LOVE DRINKING., WE GET STEAMING. POLLYS WINNING.
MAN UP
If the story was happening at another university then it would still have been reported on, it just happened to be at Northumbria and is a worthwhile and topical issue to bring to the forefront of students attention (which I’m sure if it was occurring at Newcastle would have taken prominence as a front page story,) particularly as there have been such sad repercussions of previous initiations.
did you know….
101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan (Wendy) are the only two Disney cartoon features with both parents that are present and don’t die throughout the movie.
so how about we all just calm down and enjoy life
The Courier is ‘The Independent voice of Newcastle University’ which is proud of having the freedom to produce articles that are of interest to the student rather than just what people want to hear.
If this was happenening at any other University a piece would be written about it, it just happens to be Northumbria. It’s not like there has never been negative articles written about Newcastle University in The Courier, if you take the time to look at back editions you will see articles on the expenses scandal and of the scandal of Newcastle’s RAG week which do not put Newcastle in a positive light.
These things need to be reported.
Listen, when i was initiated four years ago, it truely was a dignity stripping experience in which we embarassed ourselves and ran throughout the city naked, drinking drinks we didnt want to drink, but thats part of it. the boys who initiated me were initiated themselves years before, the boys I initiated last year get to initiate new boys this year. Its a welcoming process. international rugby boys take part in initiations themselves. so tighten up and get a pint and a whiskey.
I’m confused as to why any of this is shocking or news worthy..? This happens, not just at every University, all over the world, but most sports clubs.
Why does everyone think these comments are because it is Newcastle v Northumbria. It’s not. Its because mr Robinson needs to get a dictionary and look up hearsay because I heard that someone said something is infact hearsay. Also I was there and a large part of what your saying did not happen and I agree that things may get out of hand but we look after Freshers and each other. If one person felt like this after one night out then you article needs amending because out of 200+ boys i don’t know any that dont regard initiation as one of the best nights of their life. In future get your facts correct please and don’t just interview one person who didn’t enjoy it. Try taking a cross sample and have a more objective view. I would have thought as a politics and history student they would have taught you this by now. They would have done at the poly
Lunge isn’t a game its a technique.
If Pinocchio said “as a result of this sentence my nose will get longer” what would happen?
I do hope this biased piece of hackery isnt going in your portfolio to try and get you a job in journalism.
Timid souls aren’t welcome in my profession, mate. Just as they aren’t welcome in the Northumbria University Men’s Rugby Club.
Initiation is a door through which all pass. It creates a touch-stone that all players -past and present- can relate to and I can honestly say my initiation made me the man I am today. Mine involved laxatives, nakedness, a massive bowel evacuation and streaking the Robinson Library en masse. Oh, and an abundance of ‘alcoholic drinks’.
Sounds to me like your ‘sources’ have an axe to grind. Did you ask them why they wanted to report this? Have they been turned down from first team rugby? Do they have a far too high opinion of themselves?
Every year, the club gets a handful of players who can’t cope with being the ‘big dogs’ of schools rugby one minute, and having to start at the bottom of the ziggurat again the next.
Don’t get bitter, get better, Fresher.
Lol’ing at the coward hiding behind the ‘Anonymous’ login.
Grow some.
The article is a small case study that speaks volumes about the twisted world of sports initiations. Whether they take place at Northumbria, Newcastle, internationally or elsewhere, the point of this article is that sports initiations are notoriously humiliating and can intimidate vulnerable young people into doing things that are potentially dangerous. For someone to not be allowed to join a team or feel unwelcome to participate in a sport during their 3-5 years at university because they didn’t feel comfortable stripping off and consuming irresponsible amounts of alcohol is a real shame. Some of these young people have a real passion for their sport but don’t want to be reckless and irresponsible and yet are being punished by exclusion through intimidation. Who can defend that?
@Charles Grey – There is nothing to defend, Wills article is largely baseless and he knows it, that’s why he’s gone quiet. There are a number who play through all three years without being initiated, they aren’t made to feel unwelcome at all. You have made sweeping generalisations based on unfounded allegations.
And one thing this article is not, is a case study as you put it. As that would require evidence, maybe some first hand experience or even reliable second hand experience, a bit of research beyond googling the phrase “rugby initiation”.
You may want to spend a bit less time in the watering hole that shares your name down by monument.
I don’t think this is a fair comment on Northumbria I work on a bar in Newcastle city centre and I can tell you first hand Newcastle students are just as bad
Can we just remember that this is just an amature uni newspaper.
It’s just a story, students go out, get pissed etc. same old sam old. let’s try not to turn it into an all out class war, because if we look objectively at the household incomes and classes of both universities they’re not poles apart. It’s not really the poly Vs posh war it once was, why don’t we try focusing our anger on perhaps some more pressing issues rather than pathetically “dissing” one another. Why are our fees being increased to such a level that soon hardly anyone will be able to afford a place, why universities are so pressed for resources when the lecturers receive no extra pay yet the top dogs are still taking home a larger and larger wage?
Surely this will be more beneficial to all involved in the higher education establishments, staff and students alike, than saying, “you’re shit cos you’re rich” and “you’re shit cos you’re poor”. Also, if you don’t want this story to get the press dont comment, I only read this because it was rated so highly on the website.
@Daniel Roy I’m not sure anyone, (not even yourself) can deny that sports team initiations do occur, some people do feel intimidated by them, and that first hand evidence (as is given in the article) can be considered to shed light on a wider picture. There may be a number who play for all 3 years without being initiated, but there are also those who don’t play at all because they didn’t want to go through the ordeal of a humiliating initiation and didn’t feel like a true member of the team as a consequence.
Perhaps the article could be slightly more balanced, and taken a slightly different angle but one could safely assume that if this article was called ‘Durham freshers left intimidated by initiation’ (or any other university or institution), no one from Northumbria University would be commenting with outrage about bias etc.
Let’s not forget the freedom of speech and freedom of the press we can sometimes take for granted. This article is highlighting an issue that has been troubling universities and students’ unions for many years. It would be lovely to assume it is a “dig” at Northumbria University, but perhaps we could give Wills more credit than that and consider the larger issues at hand; that is irresponsible drinking and intimidation, which are rife at universities and institutions across the world.
Interesting that you assume that google is my only source of information. Perhaps you’re the one making sweeping generalisations?
I was referring to the article author when I was going on about google.
“Perhaps the article could be slightly more balanced” You reckon? Wills hasn’t sought out a single person that went on the initiation that had a good experience nor has he tried to give any benefits of them.
“Let’s not forget the freedom of speech and freedom of the press we can sometimes take for granted” These are freedoms to print facts, not to fabricate, embellish and defame before hiding behind unnamed sources.
Initiations do occur, some are probably intimidated, most are not, some of the existing team members may take it too far, most don’t. What do these statements tell us? Next to nothing.
If someone doesn’t play sign up to play rugby because they are scared of the initiation then there is very little anyone at the uni can do about it is there? If they leave because they don’t like the people, as is the case here apparently, then fair enough but that’s no cause to stop them altogether as it doesn’t change the nature of the people in charge does it?
Basically i have been following this story and all the comments quit closely and i find the whole thing ridiculous, i mean clearly you Poly lads have had some top banter and i think it sounds far better than anything that has happened at Newcastle uni…i think that Wills Robinson has been a bit of a sweaty bell for slagging it all off.. at the end of the day its just some rugby crack!
Hats off to you Poly lads i think its a top effort and hope you continue to have your initiations and banter for years to come.
well played boys!
im captain of the poly..
UNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Hahahahaha. This sounds very standard for the poly lads. Whoever this fresher is needs to man up and see it off.
First and foremost, cracking article, would the readers like to remember this is a Newcastle University paper, and here a Newcastle we love reading what you morons have been getting up to. Making this piece great for its intended audience
Secondly and more seriously, I actually dont see the problem, in fact its necessary for everyone to join in, become part of the team. I just don’t think all this rugby boy ‘naked’ banter and all this eating dog food is necessary or appropriate. Its pointless if anything, where is the ‘banter’ in that, just makes people feel uncomfortable. It is peer pressure or ‘bullying’, although I would say people are being soft. But a lot of people say they have a choice, they don’t really, freshers are desperate to fit in and will pretty much do anything to fit in and be a LAD. Obviously this rests with the responsibility of who ever is running it and obviously occurs around all universities, even Newcastle, where I have heard worse stories.
I would simply suggest that the behaviour is slightly moderated and students in charge take responsibility for their actions. As clearly this article does show some accidents have occured and that some actions from this occasion were out of order.
As part of a team we were told that intitiations were banned and if someone died on a bar crawl etc then we would be charged with manslaughter! Scary although extreme!
St Andrews seems to have a good balance
We aren’t the clevererererest, so what do you expect, brainless entertainment is all we have got.. Lets all try and get along
I’m first team captain.
Not any more
@Daniel Roy- You have completly missed the point mate,
To be honest the writer probably didn’t realise that people at Northumbria could read, so he didn’t realise you could get upset! I wander who read it out to you, must have been one of your lectures
@Anonymous
You wander?? Really??.. Sort your own spelling out before you make presumptions about our intellect…
i wonder how long it will be til Godwin’s law kicks in and someone calls another a NAZI…
The ginger Fresher at the centre of the picture looks to be having a ball. He tells me he’s the only talented Fresher and also assures me he is not the mole! I’m very impressed how smart these young men are for a night on the Hoy.
As a previous student I am seriously disappointed to see such an appalling piece of journalism on the front page of the Courier. Have we really stooped so low that we report a story of this nature on the basis of a single source and without any reference to what the motivation of the source might be?
Have we investigated the details? I’m sure all Universities now take this issue seriously which is what the Head Coach of Northumbria states.
Will, the very fact you have not responded to the quite proper criticism levelled at you indicates that you have realised there are more holes in this story than Edam cheese and if you were working in the commercial sector, you may well have been in serious trouble.
The reason a story like this would never have been published is that it would not have got through the news editor. Where was the editorial control at the current Courier?
No matter what you think about the veracity of this story, the current editorial process at the Courier is quite clearly appalling. The lack of proper processes disgraces previous generations of serious journalists who have started their careers at the finest student newspaper in the country.
Orite guys
I’m in second year at Northumbria and I was out on ‘the night’. The thing that disgraced me the most was the actions of one, Corrado A. Biagi who I think plays for the 2nds. I witnessed him be sick into a fresher’s mouth and then urinated on his face. Absolutely disgraceful he was treat like a poor disabled dog with no legs or a ginger person and I think something needs to be done about this
ITS TIME TO PLAY THE GAME!
AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE BECAUSE BILLY SCOTT SAID SO
Loving the bantersaurus nature of the poly. Just to add. I do know a tad about defamation and I reckon there’s a claim in there Team Northumbria just something you should consider, the huge impact a story like this could have on sponsorship and the payouts are huge. And Newcastle Uni can afford it.
I am a fresher. I was there and took part, was the best night of my rugby poly life. POLY TILL I DIE
I have to ask, how come so many comments have been deleted, that are esssentialy pointing out errors in this article.
@Kevin Carr – I think Wills has been told not to say anything more…I’m sure he would be more than willing to fight his corner.
And as the article shows, he is the news editor so there is still an editorial structure at the courier!
I just posted a comment which was subsequently deleted suggesting that the article was defamatory and team northumbria should sue for libel. I know a fair bit about it and it could have serious impact upon sponsorship and other forms of funding. Clearly scared by the suggestion?
…or clearly hidden from public view coz now it’s back…
maybe if we all knuckled down to our studies instead of making a song and dance about all this, then maybe we’ll all get jobs at the end of the day. ultimately, it’s a news article and it’s all done and dusted. lets just all have a great year and some cracking nights in town and pop this down to experience.
we’re only here once, so lets all be adults and get on with the wonderful life we’ve all been given
I LOVE DRINKING
I’m first team captain!!
This is such an awful and pointless report. Why are you reporting about Northumbria. Plus its just a rugby event and it wouldn’t be as bad you guys are making it. So exaggerated! This is so shameful for our uni….and degrading…Why do we have to try and degrade other unis to make Newcastle Uni seem better. Im sure we have problems just as worst at Newcastle Uni. I have loads of friends who go to Northumbria and it is a great Uni. I have 2 friends who transferred there from Newcastle who much prefer it. People are trying to prevent rivalry whilst this media publication is trying to PROMOTE IT. SHAMEFUL!
Very poor Jounalism. Perhaps you need to do a JOURNALISM degree at Northumbria, then you will realise how excellent and respected Northumbria really is. My sister graduated there with a first class in the corporate management degree and is already hoping to be promoted to senior management of her large organisation! JEALOUSY GETS YOU NOWHERE. WHAT A LET DOWN TO OUR UNI
I didnt finish…my sister played Netball for Northumria’s team and she loves it because everybody is friendly. I loved sport but since coming here my confidence has went reallly low because people seem think they are ‘god’s gifts’…they are stuck up. I wish i could get my confidence back.
Poly Rugby Captain
That is so fake. That is an obvious Newcastle Student.
What is our uni doing (Newcastle Uni)…Calling other people dumb aint going to make us any smarter.
Wow, some of these comments are just wrong. The courier is an independent student run newspaper and i have no doubt that if it was a newcastle initiation, the story would still exist. If you take two minutes to look through past courier papers, you can clearly see there are plenty of storys about newcastle. Not all of them positive. The article is not defamation, it is reporting on fact from the fresher who approached the paper and clearly was put off sport at northumbria as a result. If anyone else who was at the initiation and has a different view wants to voice their opinion, why not approach the editor of the courier themselves and im sure they would be willing to add it to a commentary article for next week. Even better why not suggest that the captain of the rugby team comes forward and give his response to the paper.
If you heard what happened on the newcastle uni football initiation you would think this was tame….
expressing information we are going to wait furthermore for your brand-new article retain posting.
I’ve got a chip on my shoulder.
I’ve had to skip to end without reading half the comments just to say that you can’t really be expected to be taken seriously if you don’t post with a real name or at least a ‘sensible’ nickname. I immediately disregard anything ‘Anonymous’ says as trolling.
Also, lol at Leeroy Jenkins. Don’t be so angry because at least you have chicken.
Why don’t you guys just read the article on Mt Blanc. I’ve heard it’s a lot more contaversial!
Corrr Dear, Wills Robinson you need to smoke your own pole you bin dipper!!
Very, very weak reporting. Mr Robinson- “Physical VIolence and Intimidation” Eh?…I take it you have played rugby before?- where a large part of the game is; surprise, surprise Physical violence and intimidation. I suggest you return to the school play ground and come back when you know how to write a well balanced piece of journalism rather than sensationalism.
Dont listen to Burt, he’s been upset all day! He doesn’t really know what he’s talking about
If anything the moral of the story is to prevent the freshman escaping from the initiations. Tie the buggers down!