Purely and simply, the aim of this article is to give you a guide to where you will be playing your sport of choice at the University of York in 2011/2012. There are over 50 dedicated sporting societies at the university as well as college teams, and while I won’t be running through each one individually, I will overview the main places to play (on the York Sport Website http://www.yusu.org/sport/clubs you will find individual club pages).
SPORTS CENTRE – Where you’ll find the York Sport HQ, with staff members and coaches, first aid and of course a large proportion of the university facilities. Outside are tennis courts, a basketball court, a running track and the Astroturf pitches, otherwise known as the JLD, where football and hockey are mainly played. The JLD is in constant use, and if you’re a recreational footballer like me, you will find yourself playing regularly on it.
Inside the sports centre is the gymnasium (rates and memberships can be found on the York Sport website), as well as a dance hall, an indoor sports hall mainly for Badminton and Basketball, numerous squash courts and the tent, a huge white structure, initially a temporary measure years ago, but which is now part of the furniture. 4 indoor astro pitches are used for football, tennis, netball ,basketball and more. Changing facilities and vending machines are there too.
22 ACRES – Its name gives it away, large playing fields situated over the lake on the physics centre side of campus, behind the sports centre and over Heslington Lane. It should only take under a 10 minute walk from anywhere on campus unless you’re in Halifax in which case you’re right on top of it.
The large expanse of land caters for Football, Cricket, Rugby, American Football, Lacrosse, Squash, and Ultimate Frisbee and is in constant use by colleges and societies. The ground is well kept and the Norwich Union Pavilion situated in the middle of 22 Acres has ample changing amenities, or failing that it is right next to the sports centre which has more facilities if need be as mentioned above.
The aforementioned are most recognisable sporting venues at the university, yet there are various other locations which are used, a resumé of which is below:
Situated slap bang next to 22 Acres is FULFORD GOLF CLUB, home to the golf society. It is widely regarded as the best course in Yorkshire as well as one of the best in Europe and it is on the doorstep of campus. Student membership is available. The Rowing club are based in FULFORD and use the ideally located River Ouse, running right through the centre of York to their hearts content.
Swimming and Water Polo use the pool at ARCHBISHOP HOLGATE’S school on Hull Road, a five minute cycle ride from campus north while there is an ARCHERY RANGE behind the library while clay pigeon shooting is done at a range about 30 minutes away by car near GOOLE.
Horse Riders use a stables in SNAINTON near Scarborough, while closer to home, JAMES DINING HALL, a fair sized room near the sports centre and the YUSU offices is where a fair few dance and martial art societies practice.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS – As part of the Heslington East expansion, the university have pledged a new ‘Sports Village’, with a brand new swimming pool, fitness centre, running track and new outdoor pitches. This has all been approved by York Council and work will be finished allegedly by the end of 2012.