There are over 60 Sports Clubs on offer, with plenty of social and non-competitive training options and a buzzing Team Newcastle spirit to immerse yourself in. Aside from keeping active and aiding strong mental and physical health, joining a Sport Club can positively shape many aspects of your time at Newcastle.
Jack Bond, Sports Officer for 2026-7, was a member of Newcastle University Trampoline Club during his time at university before being elected into the Sabbatical role. “This is your chance to get involved”, he explains. “From netball to scuba diving and gymnastics, there is a range of different Sports Clubs that would love you to join their community”.
This is your chance to get involved.
For Jack, joining Trampoline Club was the best part of his university experience, but it was “never ever about the medals or the trophies – it was every laugh, memory, and moment at training sessions and social activities”. Eve, the Social Media Secretary for Newcastle University Athletics and Cross Country Club agrees that positive experiences extend beyond training, stating that "NUAXC has given me such amazing opportunities, both in sport and outside of it".
Other sports club members have also emphasised friendships as a main benefit to them, with Clubs providing a space to decompress from other aspects of university life, as well as offering regular opportunities for socialising.
Active committee member of Newcastle University Archery Club, Emily Precious, states that Sports Clubs often offer “even more socials than regular societies” and provide the opportunity to find your own community. She encourages new students to “join something new or something familiar” this year to involve themselves in Newcastle University’s sporting scene. Eve at NUAXC adds that Clubs allow you to "meet people you might not usually meet", further enriching the social benefits of sport.
The longevity of the connections, skills and memories gained from a club is something that stood out to both Sports Officer Jack and the President of Newcastle University Water Polo Club, Adam Graham. Alongside making best friends and developing a true interest in the sport, Adam highlighted that he is “now part of a group of nearly 100 people who actively train, play and socialise multiple times weekly, and will soon join a vast alumni network”.
He is now part of a group of nearly 100 people who actively train, play and socialise multiple times weekly, and will soon join a vast alumni network.
For anyone hesitant about joining a Sports Club, Jack urges students to “just be brave enough to give it a go!.. if you do one thing this year, try it out, as you might not know where your passion lies or where your favourite memories may come from”.
The Clubs and Spots Fair, running from 10am to 4pm on 22 September in the Sports Centre, is a great chance to chat to club members and learn how to get involved. Alternatively, Sports Club pages on the NUSU website or Instagram offer more information and key dates to look out for.
Whether you have been eyeing up a Club since Open Day or you haven’t entered a sports hall since Year 11 P.E, joining a Sports Club offers a range of physical, social, and emotional benefits that will enhance your time at university and beyond. If you give it a go, the outcomes could impact your Newcastle experience for the better.