Newcastle University offers a range of sports to try out without the need for a university sports membership. Having a sports membership allows you to compete against other universities and be part of a club, but there are also chances to play sport recreationally whilst still getting the chance to meet new people and have fun. There’s a range of sports societies to join at Newcastle at a low cost.
Campus Leagues
Newcastle University runs a variety of sports under the Campus Leagues programme. Campus Leagues does not require a university sports membership. The principle aim of the programme is that any person of any ability can play the sports available through the scheme. Although the initiative is recreational and designed to have fun, that doesn’t mean to say that it’s not competitive!
Campus Leagues has a mixture of team and individual sports to participate in. Enter a team sports as part of your academic course, halls of residence, society, or just a group of friends. You can also just turn up by yourself and join a team on arrival.
The provisional programme of sports available for the 2019/20 academic year include football, badminton, touch rugby, indoor cricket, basketball, dodgeball and netball. Each sport boasts qualified coaches and referees and the chance to just have fun and meet new people outside of lectures.
Though the whole scheme is low cost, prices differ slightly for each specific sport; for example, there’s a £30 entry fee per team for 5-a-side football. For more information visit the Campus Leagues page on the NUSU website or email the following:
activitiesmanager.union@ncl.ac.uk
inclusive.union@ncl.ac.uk
Dance Societies
The University boasts a massively diverse range of dance societies to get involved with. The Newcastle Dance Club requires at least a silver sports membership to participate. However, Newcastle University Students’ Union additionally offers a variety of societies that are devoted to a specific form of dance.
If you fancy getting your dancing shoes on and trying something new, the following dance societies do not require a university sports membership and are open to people of all abilities: Irish Dance, Latin and Ballroom Dancing, Pole Dancing, Salsa, and Swing Dance.
For further information visit their stalls at Freshers’ Fair or visit the societies page on the NUSU website to find out a bit more about each dance society. Many of these societies also offer free or low-cost taster sessions should you be scared to take the plunge.
Make sure to visit Freshers’ Fair to see the full range of sports Newcastle University has to offer, both with and without the need for a sports membership.
Access Bursaries
And if there is a club you’re absolutely dying to join that costs a bit more money, the Students’ Union offer over 100 participation bursaries that first year students can apply for during term time.
As long as you meet one of the six eligibility criteria, you could receive £200 cash to go towards club and society fees, making that £60 for Sports Centre access half less daunting.
You can use the bursary towards anything to supplement your participation in sport or societies, from buying your kit to a pint with the team after a (hopefully!) successful match.
