Name: Austen Brunton
Running for: Co-President for Sport & Wellbeing
Course: BA Music (graduated)
Previous involvement with ENSA: Co-President for Sport & Wellbeing 2025/26, Men's Hockey President 2024/25, Men's Hockey Vice President 2023/24, Men's Hockey Wellbeing Officer 2022/23.
Manifesto
Over the past year as ENSA’s Co-President of Sports & Wellbeing, I have delivered real, measurable progress, and I know we are only just getting started.
From three years on Men’s Hockey committee, serving as President, to winning the 25/26 election for this role, my focus has always been clear: build stronger communities, create real opportunity, and leave sustainable structures that last beyond one term in office.
This year, sports engagement has grown by 16%, and two new clubs are now fully self-sufficient. I reduced Sports & Societies Awards Ball ticket prices by 9.5% through sponsorship, resulting in the fastest sell-out to date. Committee training was redesigned to be practical, relevant, and focused on employability, ensuring student leaders are better equipped both within sport and beyond university.
Now, I want to build on that momentum.
Wellbeing will remain central. After launching Let’s Talk About Consent to open vital conversations around culture and accountability in sport, I will expand this work to embed lasting change within clubs. Following a £15,000 Movember campaign, I will continue championing mental health initiatives that bring Napier sport together behind a shared cause.
With our BUCS ranking rising from 76th to 71st, I am committed to pushing further. I will continue lobbying for improved and external facilities, ensuring our Sport Strategy becomes tangible progress. I will strengthen Presidents’ networks, grow sponsorship opportunities, and increase the visibility of Napier sport so it is seen, respected, and worn with pride.
I have delivered results. I have built strong foundations. And I am ready to take it further.
Re-elect Austen to strengthen sport at Napier.
More access. More opportunity. More ambition.
Note: all manifestos are posted as provided and cut off if they exceeded the set limit (300 words).
+If elected, what would you do to address the issues faced by students around wellbeing?
If re-elected, I will continue putting student wellbeing at the centre of ENSA’s work.
One key issue students face is feeling unable to speak openly. I am currently working to have the ENSA Advice Offices properly soundproofed to ensure students have complete privacy and confidentiality when discussing sensitive issues. Everyone deserves to feel safe when asking for support, and I will keep pushing until this is delivered.
Building on initiatives like Feel Fab Feb, I will continue promoting proactive, visible wellbeing campaigns that are positive, accessible, and community-driven. Wellbeing should be embedded across sport and student life year-round, not just addressed in moments of crisis.
Through Let’s Talk About Consent, I have started important conversations around culture, respect, and accountability in sports clubs. If re-elected, I will expand this work to help create safer, more inclusive environments. Alongside this, following the success of Movember, I will continue championing mental health initiatives that bring students together and reduce stigma.
Wellbeing is not a side project, it is a priority.:
+If elected, how would you work with student sports clubs?
I believe clubs thrive when they feel heard, supported, and genuinely valued. That is the environment I want to keep building. For me, it starts with clear, regular communication and being visible, approachable, and easy to reach. Whether it is email, Teams, or WhatsApp, I want committees to know I am always just a message away for advice, support, or advocacy.
My role is not to dictate. It is to listen. I want to understand what matters to each club, represent them accurately, and help turn their ideas into action. Every club is different, and taking the time to get to know each committee properly makes a real difference.
I also want to create more spaces for club leaders to share challenges and solutions with one another. When committees connect, it builds collaboration instead of competition and strengthens our shared sense of success.
Transparency matters to me. Whether it is funding, facilities, or university decisions, I will make sure clubs understand what is happening, why it is happening, and how they can influence it.
I will continue sending weekly updates so committees stay informed about what is going on and what I am working on. Keeping communication open helps everyone feel involved.
Most importantly, I want to be proactive. I want to spot issues early, support smooth handovers, and help student leaders feel confident in their roles.
Above all, my door will always be open. Whether it is a challenge, an idea, or just a chat, I want students to feel comfortable coming to me at any time.
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