Joining a university sports club is the highlight of many students’ experiences. It can be a fantastic way to integrate into university life, meet new people, try a new sport or simply stay active.
Any student wishing to register their interest for any of our clubs should complete a sports club enquiry form.
Club membership documentation
When students purchase a club membership, they agree to the following documents:
- Student Sport Member Code of Conduct
- Student Sport Health Declaration
- Student Sport Membership Terms and Conditions
As part of the support available to club committee members, our committee handbook brings together useful information that they will need to effectively carry out their roles.
How much is a student sport club membership?
We are delighted to be able to retain the student sport club memberships at just £185 for the academic year, despite significant cost of living increases.
At less than £6 a week, this represents excellent value for money and allows access to a wide range of opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity.
To support students with cost of living increases, we will be offering all student club memberships in two instalments of £92.50. The first instalment will be due by 1st October, and the second by 15th January.
Please note that some clubs may add additional top up fees to aid in specific club development projects. Some clubs may also require the purchase or rental of playing kit (see below).
Can I pay my membership in one instalment?
To support students with cost of living increases, all student club memberships will only be payable in two instalments.
I want to engage in student sport but I cannot afford to do so, what can I do?
Any student who is having significant difficulties should contact sportadmin@stmarys.ac.uk, detailing their situation.
Can I join a club for one semester only?
As all club activity is based on membership numbers taken from the start of the academic year, to ensure all clubs operate effectively we are unable to offer a one semester membership. Those students who make payment for the first semester instalment will be required to make the second semester payment by 15th January.
Students who are unable to make the second payment by this date will not be able to participate in any student sport activity until this payment is made.
Reminder emails will be sent to all students closer to the time.
How are my membership fees spent?
Student club membership fees make an important contribution to the overall running costs of the clubs. Across the overall club programme, your membership fees directly contribute towards:
- Transport to competitions (70% of membership cost)
- Accommodation (10-15% of membership cost)
- Entries and NGB affiliations (10% of membership cost)
- Officials (5-10% of membership cost)
Due to the high value placed on student sport at the University, significant funding is provided to ensure that the below elements of the club membership package are provided at zero cost to students.
- Club coaching
- St Mary’s training and competition facilities
- Training equipment
- Personal accident insurance
- Club development guidance and support from the Sport Development Team
- Access to the Fitness and Conditioning Suite (until 31st May 2023)
- Access to the Sir Mo Farah Athletics Track (until 31st May 2023)
- Access to our fitness class timetable (until 31st May 2023).
Can I access a cheaper membership if I do not wish to access the Fitness and Conditioning Suite?
Fitness and Conditioning Suite access is included in all club memberships to help students maintain a healthy and active lifestyle whilst studying. As it is provided at absolutely no cost, it is not possible to reduce the membership fee by removing this element.
If you’re unsure about which gym equipment would benefit you, come and speak to a member of our Reception staff and they will be very happy to discuss how you can use the equipment to suit your goals.
Are there any additional fees outside of the student sport club membership?
Some clubs may add additional top up fees to aid in specific club development projects.
Students who require competition kit may also be required to purchase/hire kit. As per last year, we have purchased Kukri playing kit for a number of clubs. This kit can be rented for the duration of the academic year, and the rental deposit will be returned to students who return their kit in an appropriate condition at the conclusion of the playing season.
This approach will help to reduce the overall cost to students, ensures that playing kit is available before competitions commence and will allow us to free up some budget to be spent on projects that support club development.
The process will be different for each club, but we will ensure all clubs and club members understand the process prior to their competitions commencing.
How do I purchase a St Mary’s University student sport club membership?
Student sport club memberships will be available from Thursday 22nd September for the majority of clubs, however some clubs will hold trials prior to their memberships opening.
Prior to purchasing any club membership, we would recommend that you attend the Fresher’s Fair on Thursday 22nd September to speak to our clubs and attend taster sessions.
Shortly after this, memberships for all clubs will be available from our online sports booking and memberships page on the University website.
How do I join an additional student sport club?
Once you have purchased your first club membership online, you should come to the sport centre reception where you can join other clubs at no additional cost. You may join up to a maximum of three clubs for one membership fee.
Will there be club trials?
The majority of our clubs are able to accept and invite as many students as wish to join. However, due to the popularity of certain sports, some clubs will hold trial sessions to determine which students they wish to invite to join their clubs.
These are likely to include Football and Futsal (both Men’s and Women’s clubs), Netball and Rugby Union (Men’s).
Specific information about the trial process, dates and locations will be confirmed in due course. We’d advise attending the Fresher’s Fair on Thursday 22nd September and speaking to the clubs directly.
If you cannot attend the fair, you can also find contact details for each club on their webpage (below).
As a St Mary’s student, can I use the Fitness and Conditioning facilities without a student sport club membership?
To flexibly support a range of students to be healthy and active, we offer a selection of facility memberships to suit students’ needs, including pay as you go passes, monthly, academic year and full calendar year memberships.
How do I purchase a club membership if I’ve already bought an F&C suite membership?
We would recommend that if you wish to join one of the student sport clubs that you purchase this membership as this includes access to the F&C Suite for the academic year.
If you have taken out your F&C Suite membership since 1st September and subsequently wish to join a student sport club, please come to the sport centre reception where we will be able to help you with this.
If you have purchased both an F&C Suite membership since and student club membership since 1st September, please contact sportsvillage@stmarys.ac.uk.
We're always excited to hear about any new clubs you'd like to form. For more information please contact Sport St Mary's.