Tag: Societies

Sport at Sheffield

By Emily Addison, MSc Occupational Psychology

At The University of Sheffield there are 58 sports clubs, so there is definitely something for everyone. Whether you are a sports newbie or an experienced player, there is a team out there waiting for you to join!

When I started my undergraduate degree at Sheffield I really wanted to join a sports team, but I didn’t know what sport to choose. Being someone who isn’t naturally sporty nor played competitively (other than in PE!!), I was apprehensive about my lack of ability and knowledge to just start a new sport. But I had no reason to be!

After three years, I finally plucked up the courage to join The University of Sheffield Women’s Basketball Club and I am now the captain of their 3rd team! Like many of the sports clubs here, there are various teams who play and compete in different levels. The women’s basketball 1st and 2nd teams are members of the BUCS League, while the 3rd team is a development team who have fewer matches and play friendlies against local teams and universities.

Me with my team!

The fact that there are so many teams for each sport means that no matter what your ability, you can join in and learn new skills. It also means that you can choose a new hobby that is as time consuming or exhausting as you’d like!

I have never looked back, if anything I regret not joining a club sooner! Here are some reasons you should get involved with Sport at Sheffield…

  1. You make new friends

Since joining a sports team, I have made so many new friends. You get to meet people who are not on your course, or even your department; but they may just be your new best pals! I know so many people who now live with their team mates, and that just shows the quality of the friendships you can make by joining in.

  1. It keeps you fit and healthy

Obviously keeping active can help your body stay fit and healthy but this can also help your academic performance! If you are in a good state of mind, and feel good about yourself, those essays won’t be as stressful!

  1. The social side

Being part of a sports team doesn’t end at training, there are social events that you can attend pretty much every week. Social events can include team nights out, film nights, awards evenings… anything you all want to do!

  1. Varsity!!    

Being in a club means you get to be involved in the famous Varsity events against our city rivals Hallam University. Varsity is such an exciting part of the Uni year, where everyone supports our athletes and you see people wearing black and gold wherever you look. Sheffield have won Varsity for six consecutive years now, which just shows you how good we are!

  1. Links to other clubs across the city

If you are a keen sports person, the University has strong links with external teams if playing in Black and Gold is not enough!

So… with 58 sports clubs to choose from, what are you waiting for? Whether you play netball or football, or want to try something completely different like ultimate frisbee or windsurfing, there is a club for you! And I guarantee you wont regret it!

If you are interested in joining a sports club, you can get information on all the sports available at Sheffield at the Sports Fair which happens at the beginning of first semester. If you are eager to find out more, take a look at the ‘Club Sport’ website before you arrive! https://www.sport-sheffield.com/club-sport

Moving to a new country – what I did and what you can do better!

By Nia Starr,  MSc International Management and Marketing

Last September I packed up my bags, said goodbye to my family and friends, and made a move across the pond (from America to England). I’ve never really been a homebody and had lived abroad before, so I wasn’t particularly afraid to be starting a new life in a new country. I was quite excited actually, for the new classes I would take, the new adventures I would have, and the new friends I would make. In my head, I thought I would arrive to a house full of people and instantly make connections with my housemates that would jump-start my adventurous journey in Sheffield. Life throws you curve-balls sometimes, and that was not the case.

As it turns out, my first week was spent solo, as only one of my housemates had moved in and school did not start for another few weeks. I spent most of that time aimlessly wandering around the Sheffield, getting to know the city and buying things for my new room. After about a week and a half, I signed up for a few Give-It-A-Go activities. This was really the turning point of my time here. I signed up for a Zumba class, which ultimately got cancelled, but while I was waiting for the class to start, I made a friend. She was also waiting for the class, and she wound up becoming one of my closest friends here.

Tip 1: Delve right in! Because I waited nearly two weeks to start getting active and involved, I missed out on the opportunity to have made more friends. Friends who would have made shopping for new room decorating things, that much more fun and who would have been great to explore a new city with.

Not long after school started, that friend that I mentioned earlier convinced me to try out for the university futsal team (indoor soccer). I had played soccer for a large part of my life, but had never played indoor soccer before. I was really reluctant but agreed to try out with her. We both made the team. Joining the futsal team has really been one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have had since moving here. It is something I look forward to every week, not only because I love the sport, but also because I was able to forge great friendships with my teammates. Joining the team also allowed me to travel and see different parts of England that I might otherwise never would have ventured to.

Tip 2: Try something new! Don’t be afraid to join a new club because you are afraid you will fail. The sooner you do it, the sooner you will find out if you enjoy the activity or if you don’t. This is also a great way to gain a new hobby that could be instrumental in making your life the best it can be here.

My first semester here, I had so much excess time on my hands! With that time, I really didn’t do anything productive or anything that would greatly enhance my life. Second semester, I started applying myself a lot more. I got a job, an internship, and applied for a company based project. I applied for these things and managed to successfully attain a position for all of them, which gave me more confidence to apply for other things that I wanted.

Tip 3: Don’t waste your time here! Take advantage of all the excess time and fill it. Join a gym (which I didn’t do until the end of the first semester, and regretted it), go out with friends, and apply for those things that will enhance your future. If I had applied myself and been more productive during first semester, there is definitely a guarantee that I could be further along in every aspect of my life here in Sheffield, right now. Opportunity awaits, don’t let it pass you by!