Aoife Foley

Hey I’m Aoife.
I’ve grown up playing Cricket and AFL, so I know how tough it can be navigating girls’ sport in such male-dominated spaces. I’m super passionate about making sport fun, welcoming, and open to everyone, no matter your skill level or background. I’m a proud player on the ANU Griffins, and honestly, most of my best friends and strongest memories have come from time spent on the sporting field.
Back in high school, I spent most of my time squaring up for girls’ sport; starting new teams, organising guest speakers and events, and perfecting the art of a passive-aggressive email when things needed to get done.
As Gen Rep I’d be committed to strengthening the connection between ANUSA and ANU Sport, so we can build more inclusive and supportive sporting communities on campus. I want to make our sports as fun, open and accessible to everyone as possible.

ANUSA Sport Travel Subsidy Policy

Sport plays an important role in enhancing student life, promoting mental and physical wellbeing, as well as fostering an engaged student community. I am a proud member of the ANU Griffins, being on this team has allowed me to meet some of my closest friends and have some of my best memories at uni. But right now, too many students are priced out of participating in these opportunities because of the rising costs of travel and accommodation. I will work to create targeted ANUSA subsidies to assist with travel costs associated with representing ANU in sporting competitions. No student should miss out on playing sport at ANU because they can’t afford to travel.
Actionable Points:

• Create and distribute a survey for ANU affiliated sports teams to complete that outlines the costs of their teams travel on average per season.
• Based on the results of the survey, work with the ANUSA Executive, namely Treasurer, to formulate an appropriate subsidy for travel and accommodation for away sporting games.
• Work with ANU sporting teams and ANUSA to create an application system that is accessible and easily used to ensure a seamless operation of the subsidy.
• Work with the ANUSA executive and ANU sporting teams to create a report following the end of the sporting season to summarise the amount of subsidies granted, including recipients teams, and the total funding distributed to ensure accountability. The report will also provide a chance for ANUSA to make adjustments to the subsidy program following feedback and advice from sporting teams.

More Pets on Campus!

University is challenging and stressful, especially for the large number of ANU students who move away from home leaving behind beloved pets. I want to create more ways for students to get their pet fill while on campus. The benefits of interactions with animals are countless, most importantly for university students animals can reduce stress, improve mental health, and help to foster a supportive community environment. I understand the importance of pets on our wellbeing, and I will help to offer students the opportunity to engage with animals but also create nurturing spaces that continue to a healthier and more connected campus community.
Actionable Points:
Establish regular pop-up events across campus that allow students to interact with cats and dogs to help enhance mental health and decrease stress levels of university students.

• Engage with local animal welfare organisations and shelters, to facilitate pop-up engagements.
• Create a student survey that allows students to nominate locations and times that they would most like the pop-ups.
• Develop schedules that are published to ANUSA social media pages to ensure students are aware when pop-ups are occurring.
• Work collaboratively with ANUSA executives, to ensure organisation and funding support.