Active wellbeing and lifestyle

Netball

Back to Netball is for women of all ages and levels of experience but sessions are specifically designed to cater for those who have not played for an extended period.

Regular netball sessions are being delivered weekly with a focus on fun and engaging activities to get people moving but most of all enjoying netball again. Using research to find small engaging games has allowed students to develop their skills while creating a sociable and fun environment.

 

Participant feedback

How has participating in Netball helped you?

Student - ‘I’ve made a few friends from it, and I’d say I’ve improved since starting.’

Staff - ‘The sports have helped both physically and mentally. I have been told by my GP to make better lifestyle choices. This meant that I decided to do more physical activities and sports fitted in well with my work schedule, plus they were free.’

How has sport and physical activity impacted on your university experience?

Student - ‘It’s been a good way to socialise and keep fit.’

Staff - ‘I also benefitted mentally - having a smile on my face after participating in both sessions. It also enabled me to meet students on a social level, meaning that I could extend my outreach.’

What advice would you give someone unsure about participating in sport or physical activity?

Student - ‘To just give it a go no matter what your ability’

Staff – ‘If anyone was unsure, I would emphasise that the sessions are friendly, welcoming, and inclusive. Individuals are able to participate at their own level.’

 

Activator feedback

Netball has grown each week with more people getting involved and trying out the back to netball sessions. Taking an approach to the session where the overall aim is fun has meant that we are starting to create a mini community feel within our session as everyone turns up each week for the same reason, which is the enjoyment of sport and physical activity, more specifically netball. Developing friendships is also a big part of this session and the fun mini games during the sessions are a great way to promote this development alongside getting better at netball. It has been great to see such friendships blossom in the sessions with the group often meeting up with each other before and after the sessions to have a chat.

Squash

The weekly social sport Squash sessions were implemented in order to attract new participants to the sport and potentially lead to the formation of a Squash club; student-led and Student Union affiliated. Following successful and sustained participation, several attendees were interested in further competitive opportunities. Liaising with a Sports Leader and the Student's Union provided the necessary assistance in order to take the steps towards launching a weekly Squash club meeting alongside the social sport session.

 

Participant feedback

How has participating in Squash helped you?

“Teambuilding and confidence”

“Developed Squash skills”

“Developed communication skills”

How has sport and physical activity impacted on your university experience?

“Met new people”

“Increased confidence”

What advice would you give someone unsure about participating in sport or physical activity?

“Come and have a go!”

“It is fun and enjoyable”

“You don’t have to be good, there’s a range of abilities”

“Very welcoming group”

 

Activator feedback

Happy with how it is going and the formation of the SU club, it is nice to see Squash developing and new people coming down.

Tennis

Huddersfield Lawn Tennis & Squash Club were in favour of the idea to run a weekly session for university students and were happy to provide sufficient court space and a coach. Following on from this, ActiveHud and the club delivered a participatory session that would attract new and existing players, with the overall goal of encouraging more students, to be more active, more often.

 

Participant feedback

How has participating in Tennis helped you?

“It’s helped me meet new people who have a mutual interest in tennis, as well as helping me stay physically active. It’s great to have a weekly activity available to break up my studies”

How has sport and physical activity impacted on your university experience?

“I’ve built playing tennis into my weekly routine, and I really enjoy being part of our university tennis community, I have made friends that I stay in contact with regularly”

What advice would you give someone unsure about participating in sport or physical activity?

“I’d definitely recommend trying something new and embrace the challenge of trying to improve each week. It’s not only great for your health but also great for socialising and meeting new people, its really helped build my confidence ”

 

Activator feedback

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the group and helping to develop their tennis skills, as well as my own coaching skills.

Nic Matchett - Back to Netball and No Strings Badminton

Nic works as the SU Participation Co-ordinator and came to one of our Back to Netball sessions after receiving advice to engage in physical activity, and after attending her first session she really enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to come back next week. She has now started regularly attending our No Strings Badminton sessions as well, as she has seen the benefits the session has to her as an individual.

How has participating in social sport helped you?

The sports have helped both physically and mentally. I have been told by my GP to make better lifestyle choices. This meant that I decided to do more physical activities and both sports fitted in well with my work schedule, plus they were free. I also benefitted mentally - having a smile on my face after participating in both sessions. 

How has sport and physical activity impacted on your university experience?

It also enabled me to meet students on a social level, meaning that I could extend my outreach.

What advice would you give someone unsure about participating in sport or physical activity?

If anyone was unsure, I would emphasise that the sessions are friendly, welcoming, and inclusive. Individuals are able to participate at their own level.

 

Robbie - Graduate Sports Leader feedback

It has been really great to see Nic’s development throughout attending our sessions, as she first approached me at the start of her first back to netball session saying that she wanted to get back playing but wasn’t too confident she had the skills for it. Therefore, to see her skills develop over time and with that her confidence, it has shown what the session can do for individuals who are maybe a bit more apprehensive about participating and how it gives them a platform to excel in themselves both mentally and physically.

Rahul Panchal - Bouldering

We run Bouldering sessions once a week at FREEKLIME Huddersfield. Rahul tells about his experience taking part in the activity.

How has participating in climbing helped you?

It has been a massive boost for both my physical and mental wellbeing. I have found myself to improve very quickly and noticed an improvement in terms of my fitness. Having a friend doing it with me has really helped because we are constantly supporting each other. This has made the experience extremely fun.

How has sport and physical activity impacted on your university experience?

Bouldering is something I’m always looking forward to and I am very grateful the university has subsidised it. It has made me feel much happier in university, knowing I am enjoying myself whilst improving my fitness.

What advice would you give someone unsure about participating in sport or physical activity?

Once you start, you won’t want to stop. The climbing instructor (Tom) was excellent on my first time there in supporting me and instantly made me feel at ease.

 

Tom - Sports Programme Assistant Kickstarter feedback

Rahul has improved massively since starting climbing with ActiveHud- both in terms of his technical skill climbing, and in his willingness to try things that were previously outside his comfort zone.

Zain Siddiqi - Badminton, Cricket, Futsal, Squash, Volleyball and Football

Zain is an individual who has embodied the aims and objectives of ActiveHud. As a new student starting this year in a time of uncertainty, becoming involved in new activities with a group of new people is testament to the character and confidence in which these activities are aiming to develop.

How has participating in social sport helped you?

Provided a more enjoyable university experience and kept me more active.

How has sport and physical activity impacted on your university experience?

Sport and physical activity has made me more fit, better at those sports and helped make new friends.

What advice would you give someone unsure about participating in sport or physical activity?

You don't have to be any good and people are actually very supportive, plus they are free and free is good!

 

Dale - Graduate Sports Leader feedback

Zain is an example of what we want to provide with social sport, such as the free sporting opportunities in which people can network with other like-minded and different individuals and create new friendships whilst benefiting the physical and mental health through prolonged participation.