Brighton Student Bloggers

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A team of femle netball players pose for a photo in their uniform on a netball pitch holding a ball

How Netball changed the game for my university experience

Having a passion for sports while moving to university is an exciting opportunity; It is an ideal time to make friends and spend your time investing in extracurricular activities. I am a first-year education student with a passion for team sports and being active, in this blog I will give a firsthand perspective of what it’s like continuing to play the sports you love, whilst adjusting to university life! 

The netball team have a pre-match huddle where their coach is engaging with them

Why I joined a sports society

Joining a sports team was at the top of my list for freshers. No matter your skill level or previous involvement, there is a space for everyone in sports at university. From ultimate frisbee to American football, there so many opportunities to get involved! I played netball during high school and developed a real passion for the game. I got involved with a local club whilst at school and played in regional and mixed divisions during sixth form. So, after making the decision to come to the University of Brighton, it was a priority to see how I could get involved with the game here!

Opportunities to play sports at Brighton 

Brighton offers ‘Panthers Play’ which is for pupils of any ability who want to play socially or try out a new sport. It is also referred to as ‘turn up and play’ sessions. Participating in this is a great way to maximise your university experience by giving those random things a go that you’ve always wanted to try. A step up from this is ‘Panthers Compete’ which are student clubs that enter some form of competition. BUCS is the term that you’ll hear all the time on Wednesdays with exciting sports games against other universities. BUCS stands for the British Universities and Colleges sport which is the highest level of play against other universities in the UK. Brighton vs Sussex fixtures are not ones to miss and with varsity around the corner, the atmosphere at home matches is like nothing else. For many, joining a sports team provides them with a home from home through the close bonds they build with their teammates and the camaraderie that comes with it.

The Netball society posing for a large group photo all wearing their matching uniforms and in front of a Netball hoop

Why playing netball has improved my student experience

Playing BUCS netball from the get-go has allowed me to get to know lots of girls from different courses and years at the university, sport is one of the best ways to do this! Over a hundred people trialled for the netball teams at the beginning of the term, with many people being in the same boat of having recently moved to Brighton. So, it is a great activity to throw yourself into when you arrive. When you read ‘trial’, don’t get alarmed! There are lots of icebreakers and fun games to get to know each other amongst the match play. All the coaches and oldies (third years) have been through trials before, so they know what to do to get everyone more relaxed and used to playing together, allowing you to show your best self when getting selected for a squad! Brighton currently has three BUCS squads and a development squad with the committee organising lots of socials, so you can get to know players beyond your team, and friends of friends too. We love to support each other by being at each other’s matches wearing purple to shout each other on, as that’s what it’s all about!

A crowd of people supporting the players of a BUNC game, mostly wearing the Panthers colour purple

The benefits of playing sports at the University of Brighton

Sport is a great way of keeping fit at university. There are gyms at Moulescoomb and Flamer campus which are newly refurbished and open until late. Falmer even has a new pool on campus which is great to have close by for rest days, especially after a big match! The university is also in an ideal location for runs along the south downs or flat road runs alongside the beach. 

One of my highlights of sport at university level has been having personalised strength and conditioning sessions for the BUCS netball teams. As someone who had never picked up a barbell before coming to university, I have learnt so much through this, and my play has undoubtedly improved. These are the things that set university sports apart from the standard that most people have experienced prior to university. Every Friday, the netball team receives an hour of personalised strength and conditioning sessions from certified external fitness coaches who are incredibly knowledgeable. For me, their valuable insight into improving my play on court and preventing and recovering from previous injuries, has been a huge perk of being at the University of Brighton and puts it above sports based at lots of other universities too!

Team members playing netball, to the front of the image a Panthers team member has the ball and an opposing team member is trying to block them

Should YOU join a sport society?

So, hopefully it is clear from the above… yes! Get involved with sports at university!! It is a great community and one of the best uses of your free time for a multitude of reasons. Looking forward to seeing you on the court soon!  

Author: Izzy James – BA Education (Hons), School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences

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Izzy James • 31st January 2025


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