Social Sport
ActiveHud Social Sport
Movement, wellbeing, sport and physical activity have an incredible ability to reach into the places we live, reduce social isolation, and build a sense of pride and belonging.
Our Social Sport sessions are a perfect way to stay active, take a break from your studies and meet new people. Led by our welcoming student volunteers who are there to help cater for any ability. No previous experience is required and all equipment is provided for free. View the full social sport timetable here.
Booking Information
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. You will need to 'sign up for a membership' and 'register for pay and play' with your university email address. You should then receive a welcome email with a link to download the KAL app. From there you can book on to sessions by searching for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'. Futsal League can be booked by contacting activehud@hud.ac.uk.
* For pay-as-you-go court bookings, please email activehud@hud.ac.uk or visit ActiveHud reception on Level 3, Student Central. Take out a gym, swim and class membership and get 25% discount.
ActiveHud Social Sport Timetable
Badminton
Learn about the free social Badminton sessions available for University of Huddersfield students
Basketball
Learn about times for basketball games and more opportunities to play basketball
Volleyball
Learn about times for volleyball games and more opportunities to play volleyball
Pickleball
Learn about the free *NEW* social pickleball sessions available to University of Huddersfield Students
This Girl Can
ActiveHud run a series of This Girl Can sessions for female only participation. These sessions have been created to promote female students to get more physically active in an inclusive and supportive environment. All of these sessions are led by a female Activator to support you on your journey to having a healthy balanced lifestyle. Find out more about our This Girl Can opportunities.
This Girl Can Badminton
Learn about the free This Girl Can Badminton sessions available for University of Huddersfield students
This Girl Can Basketball
Learn about the free This Girl Can Basketball sessions available for University of Huddersfield students
Free Table Tennis
We have table tennis set up on Level 4 of Student Central. The table is available to book Monday - Friday 8.00am - 8.00pm.
To book, sign up to ActiveHud as a free registered student or staff member and then book a slot at ActiveHud reception on Level 3 of Student Central.
All equipment is free of charge.
Free social badminton – No membership needed
Free social Badminton sessions are available for University of Huddersfield students to access weekly on Monday and Friday lunchtimes 12:00 - 2:00pm. These sessions are run by our welcoming student volunteers that are on hand to help cater for any ability.
These sessions are a perfect way to stay active, take a break from your studies and meet new people. No previous experience is required and all equipment is provided for free. We also offer an inclusive This Girl Can badminton session.
Our Facilities
We boast 8 high quality marked badminton courts in our sports hall based in Student Central on campus, and is appropriate for groups of up to 4 players at a time.
Our facilities include changing rooms with private cubicles, showers and lockers. Perfect for you to be ready for your afternoon studies.
Our Workforce
Our Social Sport sessions are led by welcoming Student Activators. They are there to facilitate safe, inclusive and fun sessions to meet every participant's needs.
If you're interested in being a future activator then head to our Volunteering and Leadership opportunities page.
Inter-Schools Representation
If you're interested in representing your academic school in the prestigious Inter-Schools Competition, then head to our Inter-Schools Competition section.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Students' Union Badminton Club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities in BUCS and organised social activities.
Time
Thursday 8:00-10:00pm
Friday 2:00-4:00pm
Cost
Free
Our Facilities
We boast 2 full basketball courts, plus a show court with seating for 800 spectators in our sports hall based in Student Central on campus.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Student's Union Basketball club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
We will be hosting live and exciting high quality basketball matches from September on campus via the West Yorkshire Hawks Basketball team, featuring local and University players. Find out details on fixture dates.
The beginners course is a 4 week course running every Friday in the Sports Hall, during this 4 week course you will be taught to shoot both barebow and recurve, how to shoot safely, how to assemble and disassemble a bow and how to set up an archery range. The course is lead by experienced archers all of whom are students or have been students at the university.
The dates and times are as follows:
Friday 18th October 2024 - 7.00 - 10.00pm
Friday 25th October 2024 - 7.00 - 10.00pm
Friday 1st November 2024 - 7.00-10.00pm
Friday 8th November 2024 - 7.00 - 10.00pm
If you miss a session there will be catch up sessions available on other dates. For more information please either get in contact or speak to a member of the committee at the beginners course.
All equipment is provided.
Venue : University of Huddersfield Sports Hall
Cost is £5 for the whole course, book onto a course here.
Time
Wednesdays, 2.00 - 6.00pm
Cost
£2
Facilities
Instructor led sessions are provided at the fantastic Freeklime facility.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Students' Union Climbing and Mountaineering society run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
Time
Tuesday 5:00 - 6:00pm
Cost
Free
Our Facilities
We boast indoor nets, and space for two Tapeball Cricket matches within our sports hall based in Student Central on campus.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Students' Union Cricket club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
Time
Social Session: Tuesday 1:00-2:00pm
Friday League: 4:00-6:00pm
Staff Futsal: Wednesday 12:00-1:00pm
Our Social sport session on Thursday is perfect to meet new people, our activators will arrange teams and friendly fixtures.
Our competitive Futsal league on Friday takes place across both terms, with qualified officials on hand to referee, email activehud@hud.ac.uk to book.
Cost
Free
Our Facilities
We boast two futsal courts within our sports hall based in Student Central on campus.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'. Futsal League can be booked by contacting activehud@hud.ac.uk.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Student's Union Futsal club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
Time
Friday 6:00 - 7:00pm
Cost
Free
Our Facilities
We boast two full sized volleyball courts within our sports hall in Student Central on campus
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Students' Union Volleyball club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
NEW FOR 2025 - Pickleball
Our free social pickleball are new to our 2024/25 term 2 timetable. Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court where players can play in either singles or doubles.
Friday 6:00 - 7:00pm
Our Facilities
We boast 8 high quality marked badminton courts in our sports hall based in Student Central on campus, and is appropriate for groups of up to 4 players at a time.
Our facilities include changing rooms with private cubicles, showers and lockers. Perfect for you to be ready for your afternoon studies.
Our Workforce
Our Social Sport sessions are led by welcoming Student Activators. They are there to facilitate safe, inclusive and fun sessions to meet every participant's needs.
If you're interested in being a future activator then head to our Volunteering and Leadership opportunities page.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
This Girl Can Badminton sessions are free and inclusive sessions that promote female students to become more physically active. The sessions are led by a female Activator that can support you through providing equipment, giving key coaching points for beginners and introducing you to other members from the activity.
Time
Thursday 5:00 - 6:00pm
Cost
Free
Our Facilities
We boast eight full badminton courts within our sports hall in Student Central on campus
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Students' Union Badminton Club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
This Girl Can Basketball sessions are free and inclusive sessions that promote female students to become more physically active. The sessions are led by a female Activator that can support you through providing equipment, giving key coaching points for beginners and introducing you to other members from the activity.
Time
Thursday 5:00 - 6:00pm
Cost
Free
Our Facilities
We boast 2 full basketball courts, plus a show court with seating for 800 spectators in our sports hall based in Student Central on campus.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Student's Union Basketball club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
We will be hosting live and exciting high quality basketball matches from September on campus via the West Yorkshire Hawks Basketball team, featuring local and University players. Find out details on fixture dates.
This Girl Can Cricket sessions are free and inclusive sessions that promote female students to become more physically active. The sessions are led by a female Activator that can support you through providing equipment, giving key coaching points for beginners and introducing you to other members from the activity.
Time
Thursday 5:00-6:00pm
Cost
Free
Our Facilities
We boast indoor nets, and space for two indoor cricket sessions within our sports hall based in Student Central on campus.
How to Book
Bookings can be made through the Your KAL app. Search for the University of Huddersfield in 'Clubs'.
Looking for more opportunities?
The Students' Union Cricket club run by students for students offers further training and playing opportunities, including competitive playing opportunities and organised social activities.
Participant and activity-specific testaments
Browse through the testaments below to find out more about specific activities and how they have benefitted student and staff wellbeing.
Netball
Find out how Back to Netball provides a fun, sociable environment for women of all ages
Zain Siddiqui
Zain has been involved in a range of social sports since starting at University
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.
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