Sport at the University

 

Student sports clubs

The Sports Association in the Students’ Union has around 30 affiliated clubs - ranging from basketball and horse riding to judo and rowing.

Sports clubs welcome students at any level, from total novice to the highest level. As well as being very successful at more traditional sports such as football, rugby and hockey, we also have rapidly growing sports clubs in less traditional fields such as snow boarding and Tae Kwon-Do. Recreational clubs such as Mountaineering, Fell Walking and Surfing often organise weekends away.

 

 

Sports facilities

The University's playing field complex at Stoughton, complete with sports pavilion, provides pitches for football, rugby, cricket and lacrosse. The Manor Road sports facilities include a floodlit all-weather pitch, a FieldTurf floodlit five-a-side pitch, nine tennis courts (three floodlit), and an athletics track. There are two sports halls, one on campus and one close to the halls of residence as well as a weights room, an activity/dance studio and squash courts. There are also two health and fitness clubs, Greenhouse 1 and 2, featuring the latest cardiovascular and resistance equipment. Step aerobics, circuit training, flexibility and other activities form part of the vast fitness programme in which you can become involved.

 

 

 

Competitive sports

You can take up sport simply for recreation, but there is also the chance to become involved in interuniversity sports competitions, playing other university teams throughout the country. Many clubs are active in BUSA (British Universities Sports Association) and belong to local Leicestershire leagues, playing representative matches midweek and at weekends.

A key feature of the sporting calendar at the University is Varsity. Our sports teams play competitive matches against their counterparts from De Montfort University, also in Leicester, for the coveted trophy. Students from both universities come and boisterously support their teams, making for a fantastic atmosphere and an experience the players never forget.

 

 

Sport in the city

Beyond the University, Leicester is a thriving sporting city. Leicester City is a major Football Club with a rich top flight heritage and impressively loyal fan base. Leicester Tigers is the most successful rugby union club of the professional era, having won the European Cup Twice and the Premiership title no fewer than five times in seven years. Leicester Riders Basketball club is the oldest in the country and competes in the British Basketball League. Leicestershire County Cricket Club is a major cricket club and have won the Twenty20 Cup twice in three years. All the clubs are in close proximity to the University campus and offer student discounts on tickets.

Many other sporting interests are catered for in the city and county, with cycling and sailing favourites at Rutland Water.