This Girl Can
PICTURE THIS:
A community of women getting active together in a safe space, giving judgement the finger and enjoying exercise in all its sweaty, jiggly glory.
Group exercise classes that are actually designed with beginners in mind. Classes where getting it wrong is totally alright. A collective where everyone is welcome and where we help women to relieve stress, build confidence, connect with others and feel like they belong.
It’s not about reshaping bodies to fit with some unrealistic ideal. It’s about reshaping how women experience group exercise and empowering them to show up unapologetically as themselves, relatable bodies, sweat patches and all.
Now, picture This Girl Can Classes. Together, we’re bringing this vision to glorious, sweaty, active life.
We’re breaking down barriers and advocating for exercise to be enjoyed not endured. Smashing obstacles that get in the way of women getting into group exercise.
Offering women a (very) warm welcome to the world of group exercise and being pivotal in a long and happy life of moving however they damn well like.
This Girl Can
Sport England
No one gets to choose how you exercise other than you. Your body, your call. And whatever that looks like, we think it's worth celebrating. This Girl Can, funded by The National Lottery, believes that there's no "right" way to get active. Visit thisgirlcan.co.uk to find out more about the campaign.
This Girl Can Weekly Sessions
Our available women's only sessions:
TGC Badminton – Thursday 5:00 - 6:00pm
TGC Cricket – Thursday 5:00 - 6:00pm
TGC Basketball – Friday 3:00pm - 4.00pm
TGC Lift - Tuesday 4:45 - 5:30pm
More Women only sessions available with our memberships.
Jess Sheldon
Jess is a Primary and Early Years Education student.
Favourite sport(s):
Volleyball
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
I have been playing Volleyball since being 11 years old.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
Not just playing the sport but meeting new people. Lots of sports like volleyball have different sessions for different abilities, which I love because you get to meet so many different people and play different kinds of drills and games. (Also, socials on a Wednesday night, trips to Portugal to play beach volleyball and events such as tournaments and Christmas meals).
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
JUST GO FOR IT!! Joining the volleyball team was the best decision I made, I have kept fit, both mentally and physically throughout my degree and I have also met friends for life. There is no pressure when joining a sports team, there is always a place for you.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Sports Hall on Thursday 23 November at 6.00 - 7.00pm
Rebecca Barnes
Rebecca is an Operating Department Practice student.
Favourite sport(s):
Cricket and hockey
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
I played cricket as a young child but stopped playing as it wasn’t popular for women to play cricket at the time. I played hockey for 5 years before I started university.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
Meeting new people who have the same interests as me and getting to see us improve throughout the season. Cricket is a sport that anyone can play, you don’t always need to be the fastest or strongest to take part.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
I know how it can feel trying a new sport if you don’t feel you fit what the “norm” of sports participation is, but I would urge anyone that thinks 'I might like that' to just go along and give it a try. All clubs will allow a taster session and don’t worry if it’s your first time doing that skill, the coaches and other players on the teams will help you out!
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Sports Hall on Tuesday 21 November at 5.00 - 7.00pm
Elyse Woo
Elyse is an Adult Nursing student.
Favourite sport(s):
Badminton and Aikido
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
I have been playing Badminton since I was 8 years old, however I never tried Aikido before I started at university.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
I can try something new (Aikido) and enjoy badminton at the same time. There are lots of sports for us to choose from, so opportunities are for everyone!
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
Go for it! Joining sports gives you a chance to build social connections, and to create a little bit of that sense of belonging. Stay active and I'm sure there's always something for you to look forward to! Don't look back on your university experience in a few years regretting that you didn't try anything!
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Studio 1 on Wednesday 22 November at 1.00 - 2.00pm
Diana Sirnikova
Diana is a Pharmacology with Research Placement student and 2023/24 SU Education Officer.
Favourite sport(s):
Tennis and Rugby Union
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
I had never played Tennis or Rugby before coming to university!
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
The feel of community amongst each club and the prices to get involved are affordable for students! As the sports I play are at external facilities, there’s always someone to offer a lift from the team (Rugby Union), or someone to walk to the club and back with (Tennis).
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
There are only a few years to give it a try and it might be a life-changing decision!
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down at the Laund Hill Rugby Club on Monday 21 November at 6.30 - 8.00pm and at Huddersfield Lawn Tennis Club on Friday 25 November at 7.30 - 9.00pm
Georgina Dunwell
Georgina is a Human Geography student.
Favourite sport(s):
Rugby Union
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
I’d never played rugby before university and the uni team was the first rugby team I joined.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
I enjoy the team aspect of the sport and that no matter what your starting ability is everyone is accepted into the game.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
Give the sport a try and see if it’s something you enjoy it provides a great social aspect and I personally think it completes uni life.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down at Laund Hill Rugby Club on Monday 21 November at 6.30 - 8.00pm
Milli Baxter
Milli is a Psychology with Counselling student.
Favourite sport(s):
Netball
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
Yes, I’ve always played some form of sport, whether it was netball or hockey.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
There are so many things I enjoy about playing sport for the University, from BUCS games to the social side of the sport. But the best thing is being part of a team, and feeling supported both on and off the court, whether this being from your teammates or the coach. There is always someone there to support you!
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
Give it a go, all the university teams are supportive and will support you with any of your worries or queries. It’s always good to give it a go before deciding if playing sport at the university is not for you!
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Sports Hall on Thursday 23 November at 7.00 - 8.00pm
Georgia Tribick
Georgia is a Sport, Exercise and Nutrition student.
Favourite sport(s):
Hockey
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
I've been playing since age 11, when I started secondary school and immediately joined the local town club.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
I enjoy the BUCS fixtures at university, getting to play matches again after stopping for a few years. Increasing social events has made the teammates more comfortable, making it easier and more enjoyable to play together, which has kept players interested.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
The advice I would give would be to just turn up! At training or a social event. Come down to training on a Monday night and if it's not for you then there's no harm done, at least you've given it a go!
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Storthes Hall Astroturf on Monday 21 November at 7.30 - 9.30pm
Heather Wade
Heather is the Voice and Representation Manager
Favourite sport(s):
Badminton and swimming (through ActiveHud's KAL membership)
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
When I was younger, I played hockey, was captain of the rounders team, did competitive trampolining until I broke my arm very badly. As a younger woman I did yoga and ran half marathons. Then having a child stopped all sport (due to lack of time.)
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
My sports membership through the University has enabled sport to be cost effective for me, and direct conversations with the Activities Team helped me to identify time and space in my days and weeks to be able to start to get involved in sport again. Without that I would never have got moving again. My life balance, sleep pattern, food choices, confidence, physical and mental health have all improved.
The community that I have found at swimming is nothing but supportive. Everyone is at their own level, lifting each other up and celebrating our collective success in just being in the pool. There is no judgement about age, body shape or ability – we do nothing but praise and care about each other. Not an easy thing to do with a bunch of people that you don’t know the names of when you are in your swimming costume! But that is the strength of sport.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
Give it a go! The personal benefits that sport can give you are endless, and the community that it will make you part of will be a bunch of people who will care about you and celebrate you for being you, and being part of their team.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
I swim daily at Huddersfield Leisure Centre
Evie Smith
Evie is an English Literature and Creative Writing student.
Favourite sport(s):
Archery
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
Before coming to uni I did ballet.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
I enjoy competing and the positive energy from being part of a team.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
Just give it a go!
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Sports Hall on Sunday 26 November at 1.00 - 4.00pm
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra is a Physiotherapy student.
Favourite sport(s):
Football
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
Before coming to university, I tried a few sports, but I've never been part of a team.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
Playing football at university gives me the opportunity to take my mind away from the course so I don't become stressed about upcoming assignments and exams. It made it easy to make friends, I met most of my friends through football. It also means that even if I've not had a very eventful week, I've still exercised and socialised, so I feel like I've made something of my week.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
A piece of advice I would give to a student that is unsure about getting involved in a sport is to just try it, bring a friend, you can even come along to a training session to just watch and see if you'd be interested. You've got nothing to lose and possibly a lot to gain.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down at 5core on Tuesday 21 November at 6.30 - 7.30pm
Jayme Cresswell
Jayme is a Media, Promotional Culture and Advertising student.
Favourite sport(s):
Cheerleading and Ice Skating
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
Other than PE at school I wasn't involved in sports so no.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
I enjoy meeting lots of new people, it's a great way to make friends. I also enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when stunts hit and seeing the smiles on my teammates faces.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
Cheerleading has introduced an all-inclusive kit this year, this means women who feel more comfortable showing less skin have a kit they can wear and feel confident doing so!
I would say go for it, it's a great way to connect with lots of other people and make new friends. All while keeping fit and learning new skills.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in Studio 2 on Tuesday 21 November at 6.30 - 8.30pm
Claudia Maqueda Diaz
Claudia is a Maths and Economics student.
Favourite sport(s):
Basketball and gym
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
I have done various sports all my life!
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
I like meeting people and the variety of sports offered in university. Basketball offers different types of sessions for those who want to be more competitive or just have fun and playing football counts with great group of girls already.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
Besides for improving your health, I would recommend being involved in sports in Uni because depending on the club, it can offer discounts when going out, and of course, opportunity to meet a bunch of people that share at least a hobby/interest with you.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Sports Hall on Thursday 23 November at 8.00 - 10.00pm
Katreena Supsup
Katreena is an Architecture student.
Favourite sport(s):
Volleyball
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
Yes! I played volleyball, badminton and basketball
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
What I enjoyed the most whilst playing in the University is its diversity regarding people of different ethnic backgrounds, regardless of playing ability. As the club strives to welcome beginner's level, the honour of sharing my own experiences also helped me to become more independent and gain leadership skills.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
One advice I would give is to join a sport club that would make you happy (kind of a stress reliever from your academic course) being active and staying fit (after a long day at a desk work) massively helped me with my course in Architecture.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down in the Sports Hall on Thursday 23 November at 6.00 - 7.00pm
Ellie Ugwa
Ellie is a Physiotherapy student.
Favourite sport(s):
Football
Before coming to university, did you play sport?
Before coming to University, I had previously played football.
What do you enjoy most about playing sports at university?
Since joining the women's football team, I have enjoyed making new connections with other team members across all years and different courses that I most likely would have never met if it wasn't for the club.
What piece of advice would you give a female student who is unsure about getting involved in sport at university?
A piece of advice I would give to a girl looking to join a sports club is that I would highly recommend, as you do not only build and improve skills but also gives you the opportunity to meet new people and form friendships.
When can students meet you during This Girl Can week?
Down at 5core on Tuesday 21 November at 6.30 - 7.30pm
Memberships and benefits
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