University Sport

how sport can add a real edge to the all-important CV, while enhancing the on-campus social experience.

Boasting world-class facilities, including a 3,000 seat arena, swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness suite, Northumbria University is well-equipped to cater for students with a love of sport. The programme on offer at both its City Centre and Coach Lane campuses provides opportunities for students who want to try out new sports, develop their talent or compete on a national level.

Colin Stromsoy, Northumbria’s Head of Sport, explains: “Sport is not exclusive. You don’t have to be studying a Sport Science degree or have a competitive sports background to benefit from Northumbria’s comprehensive sports programme. We encourage people to play for a variety of reasons – be it for health, social or competitive purposes.

“Furthermore, a recent study published in the national press showed that students who engage in any type of sporting activity whilst at university are far more likely to achieve a higher salary once they graduate than those that don’t.”

Colin added: “Whilst our talented Team Northumbria student athletes compete on a national level, our more informal Intra-Mural programmes offer opportunities for any students wishing to compete against friends, students and staff with an emphasis on having fun and meeting new people. ”

Peter Bakare is one of those talented Team Northumbria athletes. Peter was spotted by Northumbria’s Volleyball Coach, David Goodchild, during the London 2012 Olympics. Although Peter was already a successful Olympic athlete, he felt it was important to his long-term career to complete a degree. Peter was offered a sports scholarship at Northumbria to study Motion Graphics and Animation while continuing to play volleyball and competing for Team Northumbria.

Peter said: “My family has always pushed me to go further in my sporting ambitions. However, they have always pressed upon me the importance of a university education. I had already completed two years at a different university and I left to become a volleyball player. So when I achieved my biggest sporting ambition – to play in the Olympic Games in London – I thought it was a good time to return to University.

“I have both elite sports coaches and trainers by my side, and professionally experienced Animation tutors too. It’s a win-win situation.”

The teamwork that comes hand in hand with sport at university also provided Peter with support for his studies and personal development. He said: “One of the biggest benefits is the fact that everyone around you understands the pressures of being a student and having deadlines. When you

Team Northumbria will welcome back second-year law student Emma Woodings and Maths graduate Darcie Worsdale into the BUCS ranks.

“We secured promotion last year and we’re playing against the best student teams in Britain this time around,” Stanley-Craig continued.

“But I’m confident the girls will up their game and, while I don’t have a big squad, I have a squad of very talented student netball players.

“I think it’s the best team we’ve had here for some time.”

The very best of Team Northumbria’s student players will have the opportunity to step up to Super League in 2014, playing against some of the biggest names in netball. The league is regularly broadcast on Sky Sports and will feature many of next summer’s Commonwealth games netball stars.

And Stanley-Craig added: “The fact that Northumbria students have a chance to play at that level is just one of the reasons why this is such a great place to play netball.

“The facilities we have at Sport Central, coupled with the specialist staff and academic support, make it the perfect place to reach the next level.

“Players like Darcie and Emma have experience playing BUCS and Super League and they’re perfect examples of how education and sport sit so naturally together.

“It’s a situation that’s improving year-on-year at Northumbria and I’ll be working hard to ensure we continue to progress.” join a team you become part of a family. Not only do you get to socialise with different people, laugh, enjoy wins and hate losses together but you also build character, something that you need in life that isn’t taught as easily in the classroom. I always think of my future boss as the coach.”

And it’s not just the playing of sport that students can get involved with. Hannah Marshall, Student Sport President at Northumbria, initially started playing for the University’s women’s football team. She has since organised numerous fundraising activities on behalf of Northumbria’s Sport Foundation (including an ambitious 24 hour netball event in May 2013) and recently travelled to Zambia to take part in school and community coaching activities, using sport to raise awareness of HIV and Aids. Hannah said: “Sport has defined my time at Northumbria and it’s definitely given me so much more than a degree. In order to secure the role as Sports President I had to undergo a gruelling interview process. This has given me experience of how competitive applying for jobs can be and increased my confidence in this area. I’ve also developed business and event management skills through planning and organising student sports events and fundraising activities. Additionally, we are lucky to have the support of a number of external business sponsors like Brewin Dolphin and Euro Hostels, meaning that we are already engaging with regional employers. I know that Brewin currently employs around 40 Northumbria graduates, so it’s great that we have the opportunity to work with them on a number of levels.”

“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today in terms of my job and my personal and professional skills if it wasn’t for sport. Sport at University gives you invaluable life changing skills and develops you in ways that nothing else can.”

For more information about Northumbria University sport, visit www.nusportcentral.com