Student Sports Clubs Newcastle University and Northumbria

BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) runs competitive leagues and championships across dozens of sports throughout the academic year. Both universities enter teams at various levels. The competitive teams train multiple times per week and compete on Wednesdays, which is why Wednesday afternoons are traditionally kept clear of lectures on most degree programmes. Trial information is typically published at the start of term through the respective sports union websites. Standards vary by sport – rugby and rowing at Newcastle University are historically strong, while Northumbria has particular strength in basketball and football.

Not everyone wants to train three times a week and compete on Wednesdays. Both unions run recreational sports leagues, social teams, and intra-mural competitions alongside the BUCS programme. These are the options for students who want the social side of sport without the commitment level. Football, netball, tennis, badminton, and table tennis all run at social level at both institutions.

Newcastle University Boat Club is one of the better university rowing clubs in the country outside Oxbridge and Henley. The river setting is excellent and the club competes at a high level. Beginners are taken on in first year. The commitment level is significant but the sport and the social side are both strong.

The climbing wall at Sports Central (Northumbria) is one of the best university climbing facilities in the north. The climbing club at both universities uses it as a base. Bouldering and top rope sessions are bookable separately if you do not want to join the club.

Both university running clubs do regular group runs and the Great North Run in September attracts large numbers of student entries each year. The Harrier League cross country running series runs through autumn and winter and gives competitive opportunities for students who prefer trail and road running to track.