Student-Run Sport

One route for getting involved at most universities is through student sports clubs or intra-mural leagues.

• These clubs and leagues are generally operated by students for students, but are increasingly supported by permanent professional staff within the institutions.
• Many universities have over 40 student sports clubs, and by joining one (or more) you might even discover a real aptitude for a particular sport and move from beginner to student or full international competitor in the few years it will take you to get a degree.

Student competitive sports

If you want to take part fairly regularly in the most popular competitive sports, without committing to serious training or competing for university teams, intra-mural ("within the walls") competitions are tailor-made for you.

• Over the last few years the popularity of intra-mural sport has grown as provision can be programmed and delivered to meet the needs of the students.
• They provide opportunities for regular, but relatively casual, competition in activities such as badminton, softball, football, hockey, netball, squash and tennis.
• Most intra-mural competitions are available for both men and women, although there'll probably also be some for mixed teams, such as korfball and hockey.
• Some may involve university staff or the occasional graduate as well as students and there's usually around one match a week during term.

Next page: Representative Sport