Play it
your way
From elite competition to exercise for fitness or fun, sport should be open to all.
At York, you can participate in social sport, semi-competitive college leagues, and university teams playing on the national stage.
There really is something for everyone, whether you’re into parkour or pool, if you’re a newcomer or a seasoned athlete.
Bob
BSc Film and Television Production
How it started
"When I was six I began hiking with my parents. My family took me to Japan where we climbed Mount Fuji. It was by all accounts a hellish experience (taking 16 hours) but gradually I fell in love with it.
"Since then it has become a family tradition for us to climb a mountain every holiday season. I became the youngest person in Hong Kong to climb Mount Everest and one of the youngest in Asia to complete the Seven Summits Challenge."
How it’s going
"Since coming to York, I've been a member of the Ben Lairig Mountaineering Society. They arrange trips every fortnight to places like Wales, the Lake District and Scotland.
"Obviously, with mountaineering, it's not like other sports where you can just play anytime in a stadium or a field. It takes quite a bit of commitment. But I think Ben Lairig offers a relatively easy way for newcomers to try it out for the first time.
"The thing I love most is the sense of adventure, and getting to explore new places and meet new people."
Top tip
"Don't be afraid to try. It might be daunting at first but I guarantee it'll be worth it."
Aurelie
BA English
How it started
“Just between you and me, I hate volleyball.” That’s what eight-year-old me would have said.
"Yet somehow, at 16, I realised it made me feel powerful and proud of myself in a way that was different to any other hobby I’d ever had. It felt cool. And the more I played, the more desperate I was to improve.
"Playing at university, then, was like hunger satiated. I started off by joining James College Volleyball and a few weeks later was elated to be selected for a University team."
How it’s going
"At the end of the 2023 academic year, I was elected as one of the UK's Higher Education Volleyball Officers.
"It’s my job to teach beginners every week. More than that, it is my privilege to usher new people into the sport that I am so passionate about. I get to see them every week, with the same eagerness to improve that I had myself. Mostly, I get to assure people that the forearm pain goes away after a few tries, and that the ball will eventually go where it’s expected to go."
Top tip
"Join your college sports team, whether or not you intend to join the university team. The social aspect of a college team is invaluable, and you will get to play the sport you love, entirely pressure-free."
Lily
BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics
How it started
"I think many people would describe me as a netball fanatic. It’s basically all I’ve done (apart from my degree of course). It has been one of the most important parts of my university experience; I can’t recommend getting involved at either uni or college level enough.
"I’ve had both college and university netball committee roles during my time at York, including club captain for Lister Kato Netball in my second year, Social Secretary, and 2nds Captain for the University’s Netball Club."
How it’s going
"I am currently Vice-President for the University Netball Club, but all of my roles have been very rewarding.
"Some of my highlights have been: gaining a promotion with Lister Kato’s 1st team, being nominated for club of the year at the college sport awards, being voted as Student Official of the Year in my first year, and of course winning against Lancaster at Roses (Europe’s largest inter-university sports tournament) two years in a row."
Top tip
"It’s ok if you don’t gel with your flatmates! I quickly made super close friends through netball and ended up living with my team-mates in my second and third years."
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