What is a sports club/society?
Sports club - An opportunity to play sports with like-minded people, you can compete at a regional and national level, alongside making friends with a diverse group of people. Whether you join just to learn a new skill, or to compete all over the country, sports clubs are the way to go!
Society - A society is an opportunity to follow your interests. Whether that may be your academic, cultural, religious, performance-based, or general interest in things such as knitting, Disney, or the environment; a society provides the opportunity to socialise with new friends in a like-minded environment and also the opportunity to make friends for life.
What does it mean to be a member of a sports club/society?
Sports club - Clubs provide a great way to boost your fitness, make lifelong friends, de-stress from uni life, add to your CV, and boost your confidence by meeting new people. For many students, they provide a healthy outlet and are a great way to look after your well-being.
Society - Societies bring people together which can help build friendships as well as fill some time doing something you love at university. It also gives you the opportunity to try something new and maybe find a new interest and maybe even learn a new skill.
"Sport has really benefited me this year, as it has for the last 5 years I have been a part of a sports club with UPSU. It has allowed me to have scheduled time away from my studies and make friends outside of my degree. I have found friends for life through the club and have managed to have experiences that wouldn't otherwise be possible without a sports club. It has been detrimental to my university experience.”
- Cheer
“It has helped me develop many important skills which I can transfer onto future careers. Being part of a sports team has been a great place for me to release the stress of third year, zone out, and focus completely on the sport I was playing."
- Men’s Basketball
“Sports have helped our members escape the city and get some fresh air each week. It's provided an opportunity to have an afternoon with no phones and acts as a proper break from stressful uni life. Our committee has developed their leadership skills over the year.”
- Clay Shooting
“Being part of a club is a great way to meet new friends and meet others from different universities”
- Archery
What do you get up to within a sports club/society?
Sports Club - On top of training sessions, you could be part of showcases on campus, get involved with fundraisers like charity hikes and tournaments, a diverse range of socials and sober events. A big part of life for some clubs is BUCS, regional matches, and competitions for team sports and individual sports against local universities! From climbing, archery, and sailing competitions, to regular hockey and rugby matches, clubs can all get involved in competing against other universities.
Society - Some societies meet daily, others weekly or even monthly. During your meetups, you may sit down for a chat, discuss a book or watch a movie. Whereas others deep dive into the world of fantasy playing games for hours on end. The variety of what societies have to offer is what is most appealing to people as it is never the same. You may have some societies that run large-scale events, performances or bake sales on campus.
How do you join a student group?
Sports club - You can register interest through the club page, contact them through their linked social media, or get in touch with us at the SU and we can guide you. Most clubs are very active through their socials, so keep an eye on these once you’ve joined the club. You will need to pay a one-off sports sub of £20, along with the club membership. You only have to pay the sports sub once and can then join as many clubs as you like. Subs go towards paying for facilities, your transport to competitions, funding for equipment, etc. The club will be in contact after joining with details of training sessions, socials, and club nights!
Society - You can register your interest online on any society page from September for the rest of the academic year. You will need to sign up through their society webpage by buying a standard membership. Society memberships vary in price but a £3 sub fee will be added for the first society you sign up to. This subscription goes back into funding for your society during the academic year.
