Baton Twirling World Championships

Over 2,000 baton twirlers are at the University Arena this week competing at the two top international tournaments for their sport, beginning yesterday with the two-day International Cup. This Thursday to Sunday will see participants compete in the 29th World Baton Twirling Championship. Similar to rhythmic gymnastics, baton twirling is a competitive sport involving the manipulation of a light metal rod with the hands and body to a co-ordinated routine.

The world championships have been run annually since 1980, when the first tournament was held in Seattle. From the first tournament, with ten participating countries, the championships have expanded to 24 countries this year. In recent years the tournament has been dominated by Japanese athletes, winners of all the major events at last year's competition in Ontario.

Dave Mahedy, UL Director of Sport, welcomed the competitors to the UL campus, saying "The World Baton Twirling Championships will further enhance Limerick's growing reputation as a top class sports specific venue. Athletes and spectators alike will get the chance to experience Sporting Limerick's unique hospitality while enjoying the tranquil surroundings of the beautiful UL campus."

ULSU & USI

Last week, UL Students' Union officers attended the week-long Union Organisation Seminar, held by the Union of Students in Ireland at Athlone Institute of Technology. Although ULSU is not affiliated with USI, the two organisations have co-operated on issues of common interest since UL disaffiliated from the organisation in 1991.

"The real benefit from attending UOS training is interacting and learning from people who have been in the same position, and have dealt with the same issues that we will encounter during the year" said Pa O'Brien, UL Students' Union President. Agreeing with Mr O'Brien, Shane Kelly, USI President, said "Obviously we welcome every opportunity to meet and discuss the national student movement with as many local SU's as possible."

The question of UL reaffiliation to the national student organisation has been discussed heavily in recent years, with students debating whether UL is best-placed as a participant in the national organisation or as an independent lobby group. With the spectre of the possible reintroduction of college fees this year, the issue is likely to be raised by students from September.

Expressing doubts about the necessity of joining USI, ULSU President Pa O'Brien said "We see USI as generally positive, but we have prospered as a union and grown stronger links with other non-affiliated unions since the referendum to disaffiliate in 1991. It's certainly not something we see as inherently necessary for us, but if the students decide that we should take this step then we will certainly consider it"

Shane Kelly, USI President, was emphatic that a unified national student organisation is important in saying "At a time when the student movement is under sustained attack for the presidents of the universities, including the president of UL, with the threat of the reintroduction of third level fees, it is important that the student movement stand together and fight this attack, and the way to do this is to have a strong and effective national organisation."