You have arrived at York, and already sampled some of the clubs and pubs in York, haven’t found the location of the university sports fields. The hangovers are mounting up, you’re becoming largely nocturnal, and the healthy lifestyle you had been preaching throughout the summer has been thrown out of the window. Never fear, sport is here to provide you with the perfect cure. I spoke to two of Vision’s finest athletes who give you their take on the benefits of playing sport.
Students have a habit of overindulging in a lifestyle that involves heavy binging and long lie-ins, resulting in their once-high fitness levels and sporting prowess deteriorating. At least that is the view of Tom Brandreth, who plays both 1st team football and cricket: “Playing sport allows you to have good nights out and guilt-free takeaways whilst maintaining relatively fit and healthy.” It’s true; playing sport helps you to negate the effects of an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.
Sport has played a major role in many students’ university experience, and that applies to the current Ladies 1st XI hockey captain Sally Dolton, she told me: “Running around the astro playing hockey (or whatever sport you choose) will mean you can eat Domino’s and have a couple of tequila shots at Willow, whilst still keeping in shape! The health benefits don’t end there, sport will also help you sleep, improve your brain power and your mood.”
The mention of Willow brings me onto the next point. If you join a sports club, then the much-vaunted destinations of Willow and Mansion (Ziggy’s Wednesday’s) will become a regular stop for you on a Wednesday night. Indeed the social side of university sport is arguably the most inviting reason for getting involved. Possibly one of the easiest way to create great memorable (and in some cases embarrassing) moments in your time here, Vision’s two sporting stars told me more.
Tom: “Personally, by far and away the best aspect of playing university sport is the social rather than competitive side of things. Playing university-wide sport invites you to meet a whole new group of people who share the same interests as you who you would otherwise never get to meet. Without doubt the highlights of my first year at York stem from experiences shared with teammates at training, during match days, on socials and in particular on tour, which provided some of the most enjoyable moments of the year.”
Sally: “At the risk of sounding cheesy and a bit like your mother, sport is one of the best ways to make friends, since with all the matches and training sessions you build up a great camaraderie. That’s before mentioning the magic word, socials. The hockey club do a ‘300’ Ziggy’s social where we all dress in our Spartan finery, think togas, with red cloaks and bare chests on the boys, chilly in the Northern winters. Ziggy’s is a club like no other, part sweat box, part cheesy rave with a reassuring lack of any inhibitions.”
I was fortunate enough to speak to Tracey Neville, the sister of footballers Gary and Phil Neville during the university’s pre-season week. Tracey represented her country in netball, and reiterated the message about the social benefits of university sport. She told Vision: “Sport really boosts your social outlook and your personality. You meet new people and get to go to other universities, whilst feeling part of a team and a sense of belonging as you are representing a group.”
The next three years are likely to be some of the best of your life, and you’ll get back whatever you give, as Sally, who is also York Sport Communications Officer, poignantly told me: “When are you ever going to have a chance like this again? York offers a huge range of sports from the conventional football, rugby, netball and hockey to the slightly weird and wonderful, polo, skydiving and canoe polo. They’re affordable and right on your doorstep.”
Continuing on the same thread, Tom made a very apt point when he commented to me that “this year’s new batch of students are granted the greatest opportunity of their lives to play as much sport and as vast a range of sports, as they could possibly wish for.” There are in fact over 50 different sports clubs on offer, and although you may have never have dreamed of playing the likes of Ultimate Frisbee or Octopush, they might form a new passion if you just give them a go.
The joys don’t end there. We have Varsity and in particular a home Roses tournament to look forward to, and there’s nothing better than the atmosphere in the biggest inter-university competition in Europe. In Sally’s words; “Expect banter, humorous rivalry, passionate play and the best day ever!”
Each and every one of you could be part of it later this year – don’t miss that opportunity. The construction of the new Sports Village has echoed in exciting times for sport, and whether your aim is to play at the highest level you possibly can, or just casually enjoy a spot of college sport, York now has the facilities to suit you.
Finally, one of the ways that York stands apart is the beauty of our collegiate system. Whilst any university student can play sport against other universities, very few get the chance to play against their fellow students or close friends. College sport is all about the camaraderie and enjoyment, and is open to all abilities. To quote Sally once more, it’s about “inclusion and opportunity. College sport is less formal and a great laugh.”
So there you have it, the complete guide as to why you should play sport at York. I could go on for longer, but I feel the point has already been proved. I’ll leave you with a few words of advice from Tom Brandreth: “I strongly urge every one of you to get involved in sport, it will be the best decision you make at York.”