COMPETITIVE SPORT

Interested in competitive sport at uni?

There are loads of opportunities to compete and develop your skills

Whilst the predominant purpose of attending uni is to get a degree, developing your skills and experiencing new things is an important part, too. For those who love sport or have competed before arriving, uni is a great time to get involved and possibly take it to the next level. Almost all unis have teams which take part in high-level competitive

UNI IS A GREAT TIME TO GET INVOLVED AND POSSIBLY TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL sporting competitions across a range of sports. There is also opportunities to train as a sports coach or referee. Taking part in teams which represent your uni usually involves competing against other universities (usually on a Wednesday afternoon) and in local leagues. There are often coaching and training sessions throughout the week. In the UK, leagues are run by British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and Scottish Student Sport (SSS). Some students who compete in these leagues go on to be professional sports people representing their country.

Most unis have sporting opportunities for students with disabilities. Don’t be afraid to give it a go!

How To Get Involved

Go along to Freshers’ Fair and speak to the club or society that organises your chosen sport. Attend a training session and speak to members to understand what’s on offer – whether you want to go along to training only or compete as well. Sometimes, uni’s have scholarships, support and coaching available for talented athletes who have competed previously. Speak to your uni’s sports department to see whether you are eligible.

WILL I HAVE TIME?

Loads of students are members of sports teams both within and outside of university. Competing to a high standard is a huge commitment – in both time and energy but most uni’s give you Wednesday afternoons free from lectures so that you can take part. Make sure you are enjoying it. Remember first and foremost that the goal at uni is to get your degree, so prioritise your studies and fit your other interests in around it. If you need advice, or are struggling with your commitments, seek advice from Student Services.