Like many students, I balance my time between studying and playing my favourite sport for the university as a part of Durham University’s Women’s Football Club. Splitting my time between my studies and sport commitments can be difficult but is a choice and experience lots of us make and have. Durham University is renowned for its sporting prowess, with multiple gold medals on the national stage and in BUCS’ various competitions; there is a true sense of community and success amongst its’ athletes!
College sport
I trialled in January of my first year, through the request of a friend who did not want to go alone, and it was one of my best decisions since coming to Durham. For my initial Michaelmas term, I stuck solely with my college team. This was the right decision for me at the time, I was able to settle well into my college community, making friends in the years above and playing my favourite sport at a competitive level. For many people, college sports will tick every box and are a great way to get involved with some weird and whacky clubs – like Ultimate Frisbee or Mafia!!! – to sports you’ve played your entire life. However, joining our university team has enriched my experience here in ways I could not have imagined – I have made friends I know will be lifelong, amazing memories both on and off the pitch, as well as invaluable leadership skills through being on our executive committee.
DU sport
As well as the obvious pros of playing university-level sport with access to incredible coaches, resources (like ice baths and video analysis facilities) and gyms, being a student leader within the club is also a huge draw to university sport. These leadership skills have come in a multitude of ways, almost exclusively made possible due to being in this club. For instance, last year I was one of our Welfare Officers. Team Durham provided fantastic training and the ability to help support my teammates was fulfilling while providing me with skills that I would not be able to have through many other means. Our clubs would not run without these student leaders, so it was powerful for me to be around such phenomenal peers, aiding each other with common goals for our collective success. This is something that runs deeply throughout our sports and into the university more broadly, the common goal of success and how every individual is treasured – whether you are the first team’s top scorer or in a development squad!
There is also a darker, yet very relatable, side of university sport, and that is injury. Earlier this year, I got concussed in a university match and have been out ever since. For many, we do receive limiting injuries due to the highly competitive nature of sport, but it truly is your peers and the incredible staff at Team Durham that help you get back to your feet and support even beyond! I could not recommend it more.
Discover more
Download our latest prospectus and college guide here.
Follow The Durham Student on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
