Why You Should Get Involved in Sports at University: My Roehampton Basketball Experience
Starting university can feel overwhelming, especially if you're moving to a new place or don’t know anyone. One of the best ways to meet people, stay active, and build community is by joining a sports team. Most universities offer a wide variety of sports and there’s truly something for everyone, whether you’re an experienced athlete or just looking to try something new.
My First Year: Trying Basketball and Volleyball
At the University of Roehampton, where I studied for three years, I knew I wanted to be part of the sports community. I’ve been playing basketball for over 10 years, and I was thrilled to learn that Roehampton had a women’s basketball team. I’d also played volleyball before, so during Freshers Week in my first year, I went to both tryouts. I had such a great time, but I ended up sticking with basketball all three years because it’s my main sport and true passion.
Why Joining a Team Was the Best Decision
Joining the basketball team was genuinely the best decision I made during my time at university. It became my favourite part of being a Roehampton student. It was social and fun, and that’s where I met some of my best friends during my time at university! Beyond training and games, we had lots of team socials and events, often with other sports teams allowing you to connect with people across the entire sports community. The university also hosts several big sports events throughout the year, such as varsity and student vs staff games. Varsity is an exciting yearly sports competition against another university. At the end of the year they also organise an RSU (Roehampton Student Union) and Sports Awards evening to celebrate both team and individual achievements.
Getting Involved Beyond Playing
After my first year, I decided to get more involved and joined the basketball committee as the Social Secretary. One of my main tasks was running our Instagram page (@roehamptonbasketball), and we had so much fun as a team creating content and promoting our team. I also organised events like cultural nights (where everyone brought food and drinks from their culture), Secret Santa, and post-game meals.
In my third year, I was honoured to be chosen as Captain of the team, and I was also elected Varsity Captain by my peers. I helped build excitement around the big event by posting on social media and organising events such as sip and paint where we created posters and banners together ahead of the big competition.
There are even more leadership opportunities available such as Sports President. As Sports President you’ll work directly with the sports department to bring your ideas to life, from fundraising initiatives to new events.
Not Just Basketball - Something for Everyone
Even though I only really played basketball, Roehampton offers so many other sports to choose from, such as netball, cheerleading, boxing, hockey and more. Most sports have both competitive and social options, so if you’d rather not compete against other universities, you can still join a team and play just for fun. The sports community is very inclusive and open to all skill levels!
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Join
If you're moving to the UK or starting uni without knowing anyone, getting involved in sports is one of the best ways to build friendships and feel part of something. And if you want to take it further, leadership roles within your team or the wider sports community can be incredibly rewarding and prepare you for your future career. Whether you’ve played for years or have never picked up a ball, give uni sports a go. You might be surprised by how much it shapes your university experience, just like it did for me.
- Erica