SPORTS IN UK UNIVERSITIES

Sports in the UK 

Sports are an important activity for UK Students and form an important aspect of life in UK Universities. An organisation called British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) oversees university sports in the UK. This organisation organises about 50 inter-university sports within the United Kingdom for about 2.3 million students attending various universities.

The activities of the organisation include the BUCS Gatorade Nationals which in 2013 replaced the BUCS Championships, hosted in Sheffield since 2010, and BUCS Bug Wednesday, a championship final of 14 sports that takes place at Leeds Metropolitan University Campus over one day. These new competitions were organised due to a very high demand for high level student competition.

Staffordshire University

Here at Staffordshire University, large areas are dedicated for sports activities including facilities available for Gym activities (open to both students and the general public).

 At the Stoke Campus, there are:

• More than 30 student-run sports clubs and societies
• Students’ Union sports clubs and societies
• Regular weekly fixtures
• Staff and public sports teams and clubs
• Floodlit all-weather sports pitches
• Four-court indoor sports hall
• Extensive sports fields
• Athletics training facilities
• Well-equipped fitness suites

Opening times

The Pitches and Courts are open:

• 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday
• 9am to 6pm Saturday
• 9am to 8pm Sunday

Membership

Membership of the Gym is £10 per month. Additional fee further gives access to:

Full-sized floodlit Astroturf pitch large enough for 11-a-side football and hockey games

• Two smaller all-weather floodlit Astroturf courts  - ideal for 5-a-side team games
• Traditional grass pitches including a football pitch, rugby pitch and training areas
• A great venue for birthdays and sports parties
• Health Connections – fully equipped gym with 35 fitness stations
• Sports Hall with 4 badminton courts, 5-a-side football, volleyball, netball, basketball, tennis, table tennis and viewing gallery
• Wide choice of group exercise classes led by qualified instructors
• Activities Room for yoga, aerobics, dance, keep fit and pilates

The general price of using these facilities are much cheaper than in France.

The Sports activities at Staffordshire University are grouped under the following categories:

·       Dance and cheerleading

·       Extreme sports 

·       Indoor Sports Clubs (Basketball, Cricket)

·       Martial arts (karaté,Boxe,Judo)

·       Racket sports (Tennis)

    ·       Outdoor (Football, Amercian football,Horse riding)
    ·       Water sports

Personal Experiences

I had joined the Basketball team whose level of play was high and significantly different from what I had experienced in France. Practicing with the team allowed me to find and make new friends as well as experience new styles of play different to the ones I have experienced before.

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