Sports Life at Swansea University

About the author: My name is Helena Watson and I’m a 19 year old Criminology and Criminal Justice student studying full time at Swansea University. I have a wide range of interests stretching from sports and fitness to testing out cute little cafés around my area. I am also a proud women's rugby player who plays for Swansea University and for my local club back home in Stavanger, Norway.

Starting university can be both exciting and a little daunting, but getting involved in a sports club is a great way to settle in as a student. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet new people, stay active, and make the most out of your university experience. No matter your skill level, Swansea University has a wide range of sports clubs to suit everyone’s interests.

Sports clubs at Swansea: what’s on offer?

At Swansea University, there are numerous sports clubs to match everyone's interests, from aerial sports and cheerleading to snow sports, surfing, and rowing, as well as classics like rugby and football.

Some teams are split into men’s and women’s groups, such as the rugby and football teams. Meanwhile, there are a couple of sports that only accommodate one gender, with sports like cheerleading only for women and ones like American football just for men.

The full list of sports clubs and their details can be found on the Swansea Students’ Union website.

Joining fees: what to expect

Unfortunately, you do have to pay to be a part of any sports club at Swansea. However, the money goes into hiring pitches/courts/areas for training and taking part in games or competitions, as well as leasing kit in some cases.

Even more importantly, you also have to pay a separate £35 fee for your annual Sport Swansea insurance, which acts as insurance and covers any potential injuries you might suffer while playing uni sports.

Do you need experience to join?

Every club accepts all levels, so even if you’re a beginner just wanting to try something new, there’ll be a place for you. That being said, if you’re more competitive and are looking for a challenge within your sport, there are chances in many of the clubs to join a team that competes in BUCS competitions – meaning you'll get the chance to go head-to-head with rival university teams, all the while meeting new people, travelling with your teammates, and playing the sport you love in different venues around the whole of the UK.

Not a fan of high-stakes sports? Intramural play is an alternative option for some sports, where rather than playing against other universities you'll instead compete against local/Swansea Uni teams

It's not all about the sport – it's way more.

As a way to bond as a team and let loose a little, most sports clubs hold a Wednesday night social. This is a fun opportunity to enjoy time with your teammates and get to know them a little better, all while dressing up as the chosen theme of the night.

A lot of other sports clubs also incorporate sober socials throughout the year to promote team bonding, such as beach trips down to Swansea Bay, an after-training session at Ninja Warrior, or even a chill movie night.

Only for Freshers – or open to all?

You might think that you only get the chance to try a new sport when you’re a Fresher but, despite what you see at Freshers’ fairs and on social media, it’s never too late to join in. Many students even decide to join in their second or third year after seeing the fun and community spirit that sports clubs bring to university life.

Joining a sports club at Swansea University isn’t just about keeping fit – it’s a great way to build your confidence, make friends, and create memories that will last throughout your time at university. Whether you’re into surfing, rugby, or just want to try something new and meet people, there’s a student club out there for you. Getting involved is one of the best ways to make your university experience even more enjoyable and a time you won't forget.

Regardless of whether you're thinking about joining a sports team or not, sometimes you want to know a little more about societies and what they are before you decide to get stuck in. Read our guide to student societies here for more information on what to expect from this aspect of uni life, or take a look at Content Ambassador Sophie's blog post on what she wishes she'd known about societies before joining one for advice from someone who's been there, done that.

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

–

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.