As we begin to emerge from the past 18 months of lockdowns, self-isolation, mask wearing, binge watching Breaking Bad on Netflix and eating our own weight in crisps and chocolate, it’s never been more important to get moving again.
If we have learnt anything over the last 18 months, it is that we should never take anything for granted and this includes our love for sport, exercise and physical activity. Whether that’s kicking a football around with friends, getting out of breath in a fitness class, playing in the local netball league or simply going for a walk, we will never take these simple things for granted again.
So, there is no better time for you to get involved in one of our many sports and physical activity programmes at the University of Chester. Whatever your fitness level, interest in sport or experience we have something for you.
With a variety of excellent sports facilities to help you on your fitness journey, there is no excuse for you not to get moving! Our facilities include:
- Large Sports Hall for badminton, volleyball, basketball, futsal, archery, trampoline, cricket, dodgeball, and netball
- Floodlit 3G Multi Use Games Area for football, rugby union, rugby league, ultimate frisbee, American football
- Floodlit Hockey Astroturf for hockey, lacrosse, rounders, softball, quidditch
- Floodlit Tennis Courts for tennis, netball and basketball
- Floodlit sprint track
- Squash courts
- Studio for dance, cheerleading, mixed martial arts, fencing, pole fitness and HEMA
- Spinning studio
- Golf simulator studio
- Indoor and outdoor table tennis
- 25m Swimming pool for swimming and waterpolo
- Over 100-piece fitness suite
- Regular fun fitness classes in our studios
- Grass pitches for football, rugby union, rugby league and American football
- Access to local facilities for athletics, rowing, equestrian, sailing and canoeing
With over 50 sports on offer at the University and a vast array of facilities to use, our Athletics’ Union is the perfect platform for you to achieve your potential in whatever sport you wish to continue with, renew your love for or even try out for the first time. From Athletics to Rowing, Cricket to Quidditch, we have a sport that you can excel in. If we do not have a sport you want to try then we have links to local clubs that do and can facilitate you joining. The majority of our teams play in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues and we compete against universities within the North West, such as Liverpool, Manchester, Lancaster and Edge Hill, to name a few. We are proud of our sporting heritage and have risen up the league tables to a record 62nd in the country in 2020. With alumni such as cycling supremo, Dave Brailsford, Olympic gold and silver medallist in cycling and rowing, Rebecca Romero, Netball legend, Tracey Neville and ex Women’s Rugby Union captain, Gill Burns, Chester is the perfect environment to launch you into your next phase of development.
If you are not interested in joining a sports team yet still want to engage in some team and individual activities then our Active Campus Programme is just the thing for you. With regular, free, non-competitive activities on offer, this is perfect for you and your friends to join in and have fun without the commitment needed to join a sports team. Activities include:
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Urban Golf
- Walk and Talk
- Couch to 5K
- Badminton
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Netball
- 5-a-side football
University can be full on at times with lectures, assignments, perhaps work and a social life to fit in too, and getting the time to join some of our in-person activities can be challenging. Well fear not - we have a virtual offer as well. Join our communities on our very own Playwaze app and engage in physical activity challenges, link your fitbit to the app and record your step counts or even go for a bike ride and log the highest number of kilometres in your friendship group. If these don’t take your fancy then why not access one of our many on-demand fitness classes which you can set up on your laptop or tablet and exercise in your room without the need for fancy equipment. Our monthly challenges fit in with our themed fitness months such as MOVEmber, You-Can-Jan, FitFeb, Mindful March, Active April and Move in May. Challenges are fun, engaging and you can see instant results.
So if you love sport, physical activity and exercise, or want to try something new, or even need a little support, we have the right programme for you to support you through your time at the University. It’s true what the old adage claimed…."A healthy body equals a health mind”.
For more information on any of our programmes then please visit our website.
