If you’re just starting out at university, be sure to make the most out of all the sports clubs on offer.
Whether you’re a natural athlete or looking to try your hand at something new, sports societies are a great opportunity to expand your interests, and forge new friendships.
Both Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield are known for their extensive sports societies. Whatever you’re interested in, you’re sure to find a society of like-minded people, who are also keen to give it a go.
So, whatever your sporting ability, we’ve used this post to share our round up of the sports you can participate in at the Sheffield universities.
The Sheffield Varsity Competition
These societies are open to students of all abilities, from beginner level right the way up to competing against other universities and national teams.
In fact, every year, students can take part in the Sheffield Varsity competition. This annual competition sees more than 2,000 competing students from Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield go head to head, in more than 40 different sports.
It’s a huge annual event as, not only is the competition more than 25 years old but, it is one of the UK’s largest varsity competitions, with 55 teams and around 15,000 spectators.
Sheffield Hallam
Social sport at the Hallam Active Gym
Hallam Active Gym’s social sport programme allows students to try out a wide range of different sports. What’s more, these sessions are free for all-inclusive gym members, and just £2.50 for non-members.
The activities available through the social sport programme include:
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Footy Fridays
- MMA
- Park run
- Table tennis
- Wheelchair rugby league
Sheffield Hallam’s sport societies
Sheffield Hallam has more than 40 sports societies, all of which are run by students.
You can find some of the most popular Sheffield Hallam sports societies below.
Athletic societies
- Athletics
- Triathlon
Team-based ball sports
- Mixed american football
- Women’s american football
- Badminton
- Men’s basketball
- Women’s basketball
- Men’s cricket
- Women’s cricket
- Dodgeball
- Men’s football
- Women’s football
- Men’s hockey
- Women’s hockey
- Men’s lacrosse
- Women’s lacrosse
- Netball
- Rugby league
- Men’s rugby union
- Women’s rugby union
- Volleyball
- Wheelchair basketball
Outdoor solo sports
- Climbing
- Cycling
- Equestrian
- Golf
- Tennis
Water sports
- Canoe
- Sailing and windsurfing
- Swimming
- Water polo
Unusual sports
- Barbell
- Boxing
- Futsal
- Ice hockey
- Korfball
- Rowing
- Snowsports
- Squash
- Table tennis
- Trampoline
- Ultimate frisbee
You can find additional details about the societies and how to join through the Team Hallam website.
The University of Sheffield
Sheffield’s other major university is also home to a wide range of sports and other outdoor activities, with numerous sports teams - for players of all abilities - for students to take part in.
You can either commit to joining your preferred society (or societies) for the year. Or, if you are new to sports and aren’t sure where to start, or if you’d prefer to keep trying new things throughout the year, you can use the Give It a Go scheme. This allows students to sample all of these different clubs and activities, and simply pay as you play.
The University of Sheffield’s Students' Union has over 350 clubs and societies for its students to get stuck into. It also runs one of the country's largest Campus Leagues, with around 400 teams entering the leagues.
It also has extensive, high quality sporting facilities, including a fully equipped gym and fitness centre, three full-sized synthetic turf pitches, three small sided pitches and three squash courts, plus a fibreglass moulded bouldering wall. Or, if it’s the great outdoors that you’re after, Sheffield is right next door to the stunning Peak District National Park.
What’s more, the uni has won the title of ‘No 1 Students' Union’ numerous times over the last 5 years, including at the Student Crowd University Awards for 2022 and 2021, and at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards in 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
The University of Sheffield’s sport societies
The University of Sheffield has over 350 clubs and societies, including a long list of sports societies. These include a wide variety of sports and activities, and welcome students of all abilities.
We’ve rounded up some of Sheffield University’s most popular sports societies below.
Athletic societies and martial arts
- Athletics and Cross country
- Boxing
- Gymnastics
- Jiu Jitsu
- Judo
- Strength sports
- Taekwondo
- Triathlon
Team-based ball sports
- American football
- Baseball
- Men’s basketball
- Women’s basketball
- Men’s cricket
- Women’s cricket
- Men’s football
- Women’s football
- Men’s hockey
- Women’s hockey
- Lacrosse
- Netball
- Rugby league
- Men’s rugby union
- Women’s rugby union
- Volleyball
Outdoor solo sports
- Archery
- Badminton
- Golf
- Mountaineering
- Orienteering and fell running
- Tennis
- Walking
Water sports
- Canoe
- Cycling
- Equestrian
- Rowing
- Sailing
- Sub-aqua Swimming and water polo
- Windsurfing
Unusual sports
- Caving
- Dodgeball
- Fencing
- Futsal
- Ice hockey
- Korfball
- Lifesaving
- Muay Thai
- Parkour
- Pom cheerleading
- Pool and snooker
- Ski
- Snowsports
- Squash
- Stunt cheerleading
- Table tennis
- Trampolining
- Ultimate frisbee
You can find more information about The University of Sheffield’s sport societies and how to join through the university’s student union website.
So, if you’re starting your studies at Sheffield, you’ll never be short of sports to try!
Whether you’re starting your first year or entering your third, another key step to prepare for the year ahead is finding your next student house. If you’re on the lookout for Sheffield student houses, our team is on hand to help!
To find a wide range of Sheffield student houses - to suit all budgets, sizes and requirements - speak to a member of the PC Properties team today.