What ever you want, what ever you need! (Sports & Societies)

Member Name: aljwoods

Product:	Sports & Societies
Date:	12/06/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Variety, community

Disadvantages: Can be a tough crowd to break into.

University of Wales, Aberystwyth (I believe it is now just Aberystwyth University?) boasts, like most universities, a vast range of sports and social clubs. While studying there I found it very difficult to come up with an activity that you are not able to participate in!

As well as the mainstream (rugby, cricket, football, hockey, both men's and women's teams) Aber is able to offer a wide range of water based activities including sailing, sub-aqua and canoeing. Taking full advantage of its location, you can participate in mountaineering, mountain biking, climbing and caving.

There are strong martial arts clubs (including what used to be an excellent fencing club! I'm sure it still is.) and Aber, having a very high standard Equine Science department, has an active and very social riding club.

One of the best things offered by the sports and social clubs is the social life. If you find a sport that you want to take up, start again, or one that you already play then you instantly find yourself among like minded individuals who are able to offer you the "wealth" of their experience from studying, and socialising, in Aber.

Among the sporting highlights of the year are the rugby seven's tournament, which attracts large numbers of alumni and locals as well as the University crowd, Super Teams, a gruelling weekend of pushing yourself and your team to your physical limits, and Sports Week, an introductory week to Aber and it's sports clubs which runs for freshers the week before term starts. I cannot recommend these three events highly enough! They will enhance your student experience no end, even if you have no interest what so ever in sport!

Another thing I enjoyed about sport in Aber was that there was a lot of Town/Gown interaction. You will often find sportsmen and women from the university playing in local teams and clubs. This is great for the already excellent Town/Gown relationship.

Summary: Throw yourself in and you'll have a great experience!