James Stansbury, (Hons) Law student and committee member of the Lacrosse Club, talks about his incredible journey going from studying at Marjon University to leaving to join our student community here at the University of Plymouth. James shares a powerful story of self-growth and the fundamental impact of getting involved in activities beyond his degree by becoming an active and valued member of our Students’ Union (SU).

As a member of the Lacrosse Club (UPLAX) for three years, James has been in various committee roles which have included running the club’s social media platforms and digital communication, managing the club’s finances and fundraising initiatives, and being Captain and Vice-Captain of the men’s team. Due to these committee roles, James has developed a strong relationship with SU staff members in the sports department. James shares that he values these staff members who have consistently celebrated his successes along the way, which gave him another buzz to keep going and continue to improve: “The staff here love celebrating our successes, individual or team.” 

Both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams compete in Varsity, an annual sporting competition against Marjon University to raise money for charity. James shares that Varsity is a significant memory during his time at university, emphasising Plymouth’s prominence and commitment to making Varsity as big and successful as what it is today:

My favourite thing about the SU is probably Varsity. From what I have heard from back home and from different friends I have made from different universities is that nobody does Varsity quite like how Plymouth do it. […] Playing Varsity is such a privilege.

James expresses his appreciation for the student community who attended the Varsity lacrosse fixtures and supported the teams: “Lacrosse doesn’t usually get a lot of spectators, but I think this year we were up there as one of the most spectated sports on the 3G [Lacrosse pitch, Marjon University] with people cheering. It is a once in lifetime experience: you don’t really get that unless you are a professional or semi-pro athlete.” 

When sharing his favourite memories, James highlights the team’s eager return to compete in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport). “A favourite memory for me… well if I could, I would pick the whole year that I was Captain. We managed to return to BUCS after not being in it, because we didn’t have a team when I first joined the club, so we had to rebuild it. We went back into BUCS a year later and we were undefeated in the league and cup. We just didn’t lose all year long,” James shares.

“We won the Conference Cup first time around, which was such a massive thing for us. As a team that didn’t have a coach, didn’t really have any training facilities – I had been playing for two years at that point, and I was in charge of training. It was a bit of a shock to us all - we were losing the entire game until the final two minutes when we turned it around. The memories are just awesome. After the game we were all buzzing, dancing, screaming – we couldn’t be happier.”

James and other members of UPLAX also compete in many other competitions nationally and internationally against other universities and teams. James shares that recently four members of the men’s lacrosse team made the England University Aspire Academy: “We are off to Portugal to play really good teams like Hamstead who are one of the best teams in England and Portugal City men’s team – it’s a massive tournament and opportunity.” On top of this, James and another member of the men’s team made the South West trials: “I then went on to the University Bowl, which is the South West, South East, Midlands, and sometimes the North come down and play a massive tournament.” James has also made the South England Development team, meaning he will be competing against various teams across England and Wales. 

James’ achievements both on and off the field have led to him to achieving his Half Colours and most recently Full Colours during the Beacon Awards in April 2024 in recognition of his excellent performance and commitment to lacrosse. James was also awarded Star of the Year in the Celebrate Success Awards in May 2024, an award which goes to a student who has proven to go above and beyond in their committee role.

The amount of support that I have had from SU staff and my coach – I just don’t think those opportunities would have come – they really pushed me and helped me along the way.

After struggling to stay on track during his A levels and then taking several gap years, James is grateful that during his final application for a very different career direction, he decided to take the leap and come to university. Reflecting on his time as a student here at the University of Plymouth, James feels proud of his journey and personal growth: “I have gone from being the guy who always ends up being told off, to the guy who people come to for their issues. […] I am far from the person I ever thought I would be.”

The SU has made me a better person. It has made me more mature.

James shares that being an active member of the SU has not only been crucial to his student experience and self-development but is what kept him motivated to persevere with his degree and achieve academically:

Without the SU, I probably would have dropped out in the first year. […] The reason I went and did my work the way I did it, was because I wanted to come back, and I wanted to keep playing. I probably wouldn’t be here without the involvement of the club, the SU and the friends I made because of it.

Looking to the future, James now feels confident that his student experience and involvement with the SU has prepared him for his next steps after graduating: “I have developed characteristics that I can take to employers to look at and they can see what I have done. […] I feel ready and prepared with a set of skills that I have learnt whether that is social skills or employability skills – I feel I will make a good candidate.” 

James’ advice to any students who have not yet got involved with the SU…

“If you haven’t got involved, I think you are going to have a completely different view on what University is. My whole University experience has been shaped by the people involved with the SU and the people of the SU itself. I couldn’t have done University without the SU. 

The SU has changed my life forever.”