Mental Health, Freshers, initiations

[Ann0002]

I’m so disappointed to hear in this time of such strong awareness of mental health issues our children and University’s still are allowing sport initiations to take place sometimes now in the guise of freshers welcome drinks!
Hearing first hand of someones experience at a Northern ex met uni in the last few weeks I’m saddened and shocked.
Asked to bring a bottle for after practise they were made to strip naked and take a shower altogether (whilst been videod) they were then told to drink their bottles or else. The experience I understand was frightening, tense and when someone said they wouldn’t the atmosphere turned agressive and intimidating. They felt they couldn’t do anything but follow the instructions for fear of repercussions.
Forward a few weeks and now after games they vote for best player and the dick player, why?
If you don’t play well they use disgusting language call them a c- - t and even tell them to go jump of a bridge, finishing with a threat if you come out tonight we’ll make you drink until you puke your guts up.Nice!
This behaviour is so disgusting and I’d be appalled if my children were party to anything like. It is so sad this person even though thinks it’s horrible brushes it off by saying it’s banter and they’re just having a laugh not in my books are they.
This puts of freshers joining clubs and makes them at risk unless they join in with the behaviour they could become isolated etc.. or it could trigger mental health issues they may have suffered previously.
These people are bullies and it should be stopped. But no one is prepared to stand up to these thugs/bullies.

That sounds terrible. I wouldn't personally want to be a member of this club. I suppose as a future warning to all parents on this forum, it is worthwhile talking about setting boundaries so you can walk away from this situation.
I do think universities should have a method for reporting such antics however such would be the fear of being ostracized that these incidents would be left unreported.
In my opinion, universities fail massively in their responsibilities. They could counter this behaviour with workshops.

Sadly even if the university were told it is highly likely they would do absolutely nothing.

Absolutely agree, my son reported the same experiences at his university in southern England, including players being forced to play naked and being forced to drink a bottle of port in one. Although the offending teams have been banned from the Union, he decided not to join teams based on this behaviour. I'm glad he had the strength to walk away but sad he won't now be playing the sport he has loved for many years. I really think Universities have a moral obligation to sort this out. This wouldn't be tolerated in any other area of education or the workplace.

That is appalling and, tbh, I'm shocked the union has not called them out on that a long time ago. It certainly isn't the experience of my dc's sports teams.

Rugby? Sounds like a cultural issue and the university should be told. Hopefully not netball.