University of Bristol Sporting opportunities

In my opinion, sport is the best way to meet like-minded people at university and its importance in terms of academia cannot be underestimated – there is so much evidence testifying that sport helps you perform better academically. Fortunately, Bristol offers a plethora of opportunities for students of all abilities but, unlike at many schools, none of it is compulsory so it’s up to you to take the initiative.

The range of sports on offer is quite incredible from the more conventional football, rugby, cricket, hockey to some which you may never have heard of such as Krav Maga . A friend of mine now plays American Football for the Bristol Cudas after they caught his eye at the Freshers’ Fair (the best place to find out about the sports available).

The best thing about sport at Bristol is that if you’re really good at a sport, you can represent one of the university’s prestigious teams but equally if you just want to try one out or play socially, that’s also possible. For example, I play 11-a-side football every Wednesday afternoon on the Downs in a superbly organised Intramural league and I play hockey on a Sunday down at Coombe Dingle if I have time. There is also a social cricket league in the summer.

The facilities are Bristol are very good and they are there to be used! Up near the Stoke Bishop halls, there are tennis courts, squash courts, basketball courts,… Coombe Dingle has got the university’s rugby, hockey, football pitches and floodlit tennis courts whilst the Pulse Gym is located right next to where most lectures take place. Classes like circuits, spinning, yoga are included in a Sports Pass and it’s possible to book out the sports hall for 5-a-side football, badminton or netball for example.

As I say, it’s up to you to get involved and be pro-active!

Freddy