This Girl Can

Caroline Devonport 

Caroline is an MA Res Fashion and Textiles student and a Walking Activator.

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity:  

Spine surgery due to damaged discs. 

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

It gives me a chance to relax and clear my mind on busy days, as well as the opportunity to chat to others while walking. 

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you: 

Walking helped with my rehabilitation after surgery in my first year. 

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop: 

Organisation, especially when hill walking, as it is important to ensure you have suitable clothing for the expected weather. 

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

That sport doesn't have to be the gym or a contact sport it can include social activities such as walking.

 

Claudia Maqueda Diaz 

Claudia is a Maths and Economics student and a Basketball Activator.

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity:  

Injuries some while ago when I had to compete in basketball.  

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

I need physical activity on everyday basis in my life. I have always been involved in some sport since I can remember and is the only way I can stop thinking about everything else and focus on something.  

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop: 

Consistency, resilience, self-awareness, empathy, patience. 

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

They should try both individual and team sports and find a way to engage with sports and including them in their lives.

 

Liz Greenough

Liz works at the University as a Marketing Assistant in the School of Human and Health Sciences.

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

I participate in fitness classes including Les Mills Core, Body Pump, Body Combat, Tone as well as Zumba.

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity?

I have taken part in Zumba classes for a number of years and decided that it may be beneficial for me to also try out some new toning and strength and conditioning classes which took me totally out of my comfort zone. I was using equipment I’d never used before and undertaking exercises which I found extremely challenging, which with perseverance got easier overtime. 

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

I love the fact that there are 30-minute classes on at a lunch member, as a staff member it breaks up your day and ensures you move away from your desk. 

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

It enables me to eat what I want, build my fitness and build up my strength. Its also provided a platform to meet new people and friends. 

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

Motivation and perseverance, not to give up when things get hard.  

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

I'd say go for it, you don’t know if its for you until you try it. Don’t be put off if you try something you don’t like, just move onto the next. Not every sport or exercise class is perfect for everyone. 

Elze Demereckaite

Elze is a 22 year old student studying Hospitality Business Management.

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

Thai boxing/muay thai

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity?

Overcoming health problems.

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

It has enhanced my experience so much! By accidentally trying muay thai, I found my new passion and I also met so many new people that are now my good friends. 

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

It helped me deal with stress from university work, personal life. I also became much more confident, healthy and happy. At the same time, I started spending my free time actively, with like-minded people. I challenge myself everyday, I am getting prepared for fights, really putting my limits to the test and I love that.

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

Confidence, discipline, tenacity, respect, strategy.

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

Try absolutely everything that you can, there is a sport for everyone! I found muay thai by complete accident - my friends convinced me to come to a taster session, which I really did not want to go to and I never stopped doing it since then. If you don't like it - don't do it again, but at least now you are one step closer to finding your sport. 

Dr Deborah Pufal

Dr Deborah Pufal works at tha University as a Senior Lecturer in Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

Gym

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity?

Motivation to get up and go. Confidence in terms of ability and knowing how to use the equipment.

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

Great that I can just pop to my office first thing in a morning and pick up my kit and go straight to the gym. 

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

Great way to the start the day and makes you feel good all day long. Makes you feel you are doing something positive in terms of how you look and your mental outlook.

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

How to use the equipment – which is a big thing for me. 

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

Go for it! You don’t have to be the best or punish yourself. Just go and do your own thing. I have my little routine and I enjoy that. It is hard to first start as you think everyone is looking at you and you don’t know hat you are doing, but no one is looking at you. Once you get into a routine it really does make you feel amazing.

Kate Brewerton

Kate is a fourth year Pharmacy student.

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

I play football and go to the gym on a regular basis

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity?

For girls/women’s football the main challenge I have faced is lack of opportunity – there are limited teams for girls especially younger ages and many young girls have to play in boy’s teams.

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

Playing football at university has helped me form new friendships with people who have similar interests to me. It has also provided a way for me to take my mind off the stress of my studies.

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

Participating in sport has helped to keep myself in a healthy routine which has really benefited my physical and mental health.

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

Football has helped me develop my teamwork and communication skills which not only helps with my everyday life but has been beneficial to my university studies.

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

My advice would be to give it go! It can be daunting at first to join a new sports team but once you have made that first step you might find that you really enjoy it. It’s never too late to find a new hobby. 

Anna Fillingham

20 year old student studying Marketing, Communications and Advertisement. Anna is the Social Secretary for the Fencing Team.

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

Fencing

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity?

Definitely realising my worth, sometimes going through bouts of losses in sports can make you feel you're not good enough. But not giving up when things got hard made me realise how strong I was and that I was capable of anything if I changed my perspective and put my mind at ease.

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

It has helped to give me a mental break from university work and stress. As well as enabling me to make new friends and have a place to go to if I have any worries.

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

It has enabled me to stay active and keep an overall balanced lifestyle as well as helping with mental health by getting out of the house and away from work life.

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

Confidence has really helped coming from sports. I feel like I am able to use my voice a lot more and not worry what people think.

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

Learning something new. Learning anything new is exciting, not to mention good for you, and your brain. It can be scary but it's usually very fun, you've just got to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Keeley Hutton

Keeley works at th Univrsity s a Schools and Colleges Relationhip Officer.

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

Running, swimming and pilates.

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity?

I’ve faced many challenges through my years of running. Fear of failure, confidence and health issues. Most recently, I experienced challenges due to my health. At the start of lockdown, I struggled to run. My body didn’t want to work and I felt exhausted all the time. This was the worst thing to happen because running keeps my mind healthy. After a few tests, the problem was identified and I was able to get back to exercising again. It was a long, slow process but I am now back to my previous fitness. It shows that with determination, you can overcome most challenges.

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

I have met so many new people from the University, by attending classes, the gym and running at lunch times. It has given me a sense of community, new friends and given me the confidence to try new things, like lifting weights in the gym, which I would have never done previously.

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

Exercise makes me feel good both on the inside and on the outside. I have a long-term health condition which is managed well when my fitness is good. It keeps my mind healthy and allows me to cope with my busy life of working full time and being a mum. If I’m feeling grumpy or stressed, I go out for a run or exercise and return a happier version of me.

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

This one is a hard one because physical activity is a way of life for me so I don’t look at it as developing my skills and behaviour but if I have to pick something, I would say it has improved my determination. If I want to achieve something, I will do everything in my power to make it work. I can relate this to both work and sport. I’ve run marathons, both on road and in the mountains and that is something you can’t do without determination (and some say stubbornness).

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

Don’t be afraid to try something new. You might meet new people or discover something that you genuinely enjoy.

Aziidah Nanteza

Aziidah is a PhD student, researching finance.

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

Weights and strength classes.

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

It has helped me develop a more positive attitude towards uni. I literally look forward to when I can do another fitness class everyday.

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

It has helped me improve my mental and physical health.

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

I have found that I am more able to concentrate on my research and have been able to complete tasks on time as both my mind and body are stronger.

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

Try one class at a time and see what you like. There is something for everyone.

Mia Rayson Regan

Mia is in third year, studying English Literature with Creative Writing.

What type of sport or physical activity do you take part in on a regular basis?

Cheerleading

What challenges have you faced in participating in sport and physical activity?

It is a challenging sport that requires a lot of different skills and training my body to be able to meet these challenges. I also have a disability that has caused me to have to stop at training.

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

It really has taken over my life. I missed it so much during lockdown. It is a great way of taking a break from university stress.

How has participating in sport and physical activity helped you?

It has been a fantastic impact on my mental health and has allowed me to try something new and meet some amazing people.

What skills/behaviours have sport and physical activity helped you to develop?

It’s taught me that nothing has to stop you from doing what you love and that working as a team can make you feel like you’re part of a big happy family.

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

I would say give it a go! If you don’t try it, you’ll never know. I hated sport before I found cheerleading and I would never go back to not doing it. It really has changed my life.