Joining a sports club while studying at university is a perfect way to both keep fit and meet new people. However, as the saying goes, every sport has its price. In order to join a sports club, a membership fee is required. After that, you really are in control, so here are university sports costs explained.
It will cost to go to socials and buy university-branded kit to show off your sport to everyone in your lectures. This is not to say that you need to spend a fortune in order to enjoy joining a sports club. There is definitely no obligation from a lot of clubs to spend extra money. But there is the requirement to purchase a membership to be able to attend matches, represent the team etc. Membership costs vary, with many clubs offering social memberships at a discounted rate.
Becoming a social member of a club is a great option for students with busy timetables, or for those who are starting the sport for the first time. If you’ve never played a game of hockey in your life, it is unlikely you are going to want to attend five training sessions a week facing people who have played since they were four year.
Where does the money go?
I’m sure there will be a lot of questions about what this fee is spent on. Obviously I cannot be 100% certain for every sports club at every university in the country. But there does seem to be a similar trend on where the cash goes. Clubs focus the money from memberships on running of club, such as training sessions and equipment hire, as opposed to the social side. So fear not, your social membership for badminton is not being spent to send the first-team players to a sports night with limitless VKs.
In turn, training sessions and sporting activities are paid for the year after the initial membership is paid (in the majority of situations). For example, after paying £95 to join social cricket, I will not have to fork out a couple of quid each week for a training session. That is not bad considering over winter we train at the world-famous Edgbaston Cricket Stadium.
Membership fees also go towards club kit, which is extremely helpful for beginners in sports that require a lot of equipment. Jasmine’s article on food budgeting will be your bible if you spend most of your student finance on a full hockey kit after two taster sessions. It also costs money to logistically run a sports club at university, which your fee will also contribute towards. On that note, get your treasurer a drink at a social. They deserve it.
Extra Expenses
The membership fee does not tend to cover match expenses, such as fees, travel, and the kit you will be required to play in. However, if you reach the point where you have mastered your sport, I’m sure you’d be more than happy to pay for some extras.
Unsurprisingly, the social side of joining a sports club can often be the most costly. The feeling of worry about checking your bank account after a sports night out is one that will be experienced by most who join. Most universities host a ‘Sports Night’ on a Wednesday which you can only get a ticket to if you are a member. Fancy dress is expected, with the different themes each week proving to be another expense often neglected when budgeting at the start of term.
Club meals, nights out away from Sports Night, and sober socials are just a few examples of what to expect to be invited to. However, there is no pressure from any club to attend any socials or, if you do, to spend a lot of money. Many people just attend training sessions and matches. It is a sports club at the end of the day. Therefore, joining will be as expensive as you make it. The membership is required. But, other than that, the amount you spend is entirely down to you.
See also: Four new sports to try at university