Tell us what Varsity means to you!
“Varsity is a great chance to feel like a part of the student community – it makes you proud to be part of the University of Leeds. Sport is just a great way for people to come together, albeit with a bit of friendly rivalry.”
How do you think it will feel to be out there at Varsity, watched and supported by hundreds of students?
“Having the rest of the club and our friends watching is one of our favourite things about Varsity – especially with korfball being a lesser-known sport. To have people supporting us (even when they’re not too sure about the rules!) means so much and will certainly be needed to play well against Beckett!”
Let’s talk about your team! How do you ensure that all players, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to contribute during games and practices?
“Korfball is an inclusive sport by nature, allowing anyone to play regardless of gender, background or experience. We love that as a club we can provide anyone the opportunity to play sport at Uni, tailoring all our sessions so that members of our first team as well as our totally beginner members can participate.”
How do you foster an environment where everyone feels supported and valued?
“We pride ourselves on being a welcoming society. With no trials, we welcome lots of beginners to the sport every year, and through teaching everyone the sport, a supportive atmosphere is created quite easily. We want everyone to feel a valued part of the club, so we have flexible squads, which means anyone who wants to play a game will get the opportunity throughout the year.”
Let’s talk about what it’s like to be a student athlete! How do you balance it all? What motivates you?
“It can definitely be a challenge at times, and it requires some good time management, but sport is a great way to spend time with friends and take a break from the academic side of uni. Without playing a team sport, I’d struggle more with the motivation to keep active!”
Why is it important to have access to sports clubs at the University? How has it enhanced your student experience?
“Being a part of a sports club is central to so many people’s Uni experience. The majority of my best memories of Uni are through Korfball. It’s given me the opportunity to meet so many new people, as well as having the opportunity to have been on the committee for the last three years. I’ve learnt so much about organisation, communication and teamwork – skills that will be useful in the future.”
This article has been edited for clarity before being published.
