Man and woman taking part in Hatha Yoga class with hands reaching up to ceilingCategoriesEvents

Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing with The BRIT Challenge 2024

Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing with the BRIT Challenge 2024

From Saturday 24 February – Sunday 24 March, Sport & Fitness participated in the BRIT Challenge 2024.

The BRIT (British Inspiration Trust) is a charity focusing on supporting and improving mental health, fitness, and wellbeing. We hosted a number of fitness-focused activities for students, staff and members to get involved in, with some challenges shaped around the number ‘24’, this year’s BRIT Challenge theme.

Meditation

 

For those looking to channel their inner zen, we hosted a mix of free self-guided and instructor-led mediation sessions, both in person and online, allowing people to join in from the comfort of their own space!  Meditation is an easy and accessible way to bring a feeling of calm, control and focus to busy life schedules that can often feel overwhelming.

Group in a spin class in cycle studio
Hatha yoga session - participants holding leg up whilst other hand points towards the ceiling

Classes

To make our regular class timetable even more accessible, we reduced costs to £2.40 per session, encouraging members and non-members to engage in physical activity in a fun, social and supportive environment. From intense cardio spin classes and body-attack to gentle Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, there was something for everyone to get involved in.

Badminton social sport

Social Sport

 

During the month we also offered free taster sessions for our popular social sport and sessions, encouraging people to engage in sports they may not have tried before. Sports included basketball, tennis and netball. Participating in sports, regardless of ability level, can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety whilst connecting with others.

Cardio Tennis

 

Over on our outdoor courts we promoted our, fast-paced Cardio Tennis sessions, designed to combine hand-eye coordination, physical activity and most importantly – fun! To tie into the BRIT theme, we set a 24-shot rally challenge, keeping our participants on their toes.

Tennis coordinator throwing tennis balls at participants
Active Residences free sport programme showcasing new wheelchair basketball sessions

Active Residences

 

Students who live in University or partner-owned accommodation can benefit from our free student sport and social activities timetable through the Active Residences programme. Alongside the regular timetabled activities including wheelchair basketball, games nights and just run sessions, the team hosted two aesthetic walks around Winterbourne Botanic Garden. Studies prove that walking in nature reduces stress, lifts mood, and promotes overall wellbeing. 

A member in Sport & Fitness gym getting support from a member of the gym team.

240-Hour Fitness Challenge

 

To ramp up our BRIT Challenge efforts further, from Thursday 14 March, we set a challenge for our members to achieve a combined total of 240-hours’ worth of cardio activity across our treadmills, cross-trainers, rowing machines and spin bikes in just ten days. Our members didn’t disappoint, hitting the target in just three days, and finishing with an incredible 296 hours logged by the end of the challenge period, far exceeding our initial target!

Brit challenge CEO Phil Packer, pictured in front of Sport & Fitness Reception

BRIT CEO visits Sport & Fitness

 

Midway through the challenge we had a visit from BRIT Challenge Non-Paid CEO, Phil Packer. It was a pleasure to welcome Phil to our Sport & Fitness Centre, showing him around our facilities whilst discussing the importance of promoting physical activity as a key tool for improving mental health and wellbeing.

It was fantastic to have so many students, staff and community members engage with our BRIT Challenge activities this year. We look forward to putting on even more activities next year, whilst continuing to promote activities that help boost mental health and wellbeing across communities.

Explore our facilities
Men's and Women's Squash club winners hold trophy and stand behind Champions signCategoriesEvents Student News

Treble for Squash Champions on BUCS Big Wednesday

Treble for Squash Champions on BUCS Big Wednesday

And just like that, another season comes to a close with the annual BUCS Big Wednesday Finals showcase, held in Loughborough, welcoming six teams from the University of Birmingham.

With Football, Water Polo and Hockey also competing, it was our Squash club who led the way on the day to secure their second successive BUCS National Championship.

 

An impressive three-straight 5-0 wins for the Men’s 1s, Women’s 1s and Women’s 2s saw Birmingham remain as the nation’s powerhouse for squash across the UK. 

Women's Squash players in the court
Men's Squash players in court

With the Men’s defeating Heriot-Watt and the Women’s 2 seeing off the challenge of Edinburgh, the treble was secured by Birmingham’s Women’s 1s to mark an incredible achievement for the club. 

 

A special mention must go to our Squash Head Coach Jon Tate for his ongoing dedication, support, and guidance that has helped the club excel this season.

Men's Football on pitch

Elsewhere, the day was kicked off with Men’s 1 Football as they faced Cardiff Metropolitan 2s in the Aldi Men’s National Trophy.

 

After taking the lead early on, both teams went in at half-time level as Cardiff pulled a goal back. But it was late on where Cardiff scored late on to steal a 2-1 win.

The travelling supporter turned their attention to the swimming pool next as Water Polo Men’s 1s battled it out against Leeds Men’s 1 in the Men’s National Trophy.

 

A high-scoring affair was edged by Leeds 11-10 for yet another narrow defeat for our Lions. 

 

Men's Water Polo competing in swimming pool
Women's Hockey competing on the pitch

With a huge crowd cheering on our hockey players, our Women’s 1s faced Nottingham 1s in the ICG Women’s National Championship final.

 

Nottingham led the first-half and following a closely fought battle secured the win adding a second to win 2-0 on the day.

It’s been an incredible season of BUCS action, with victories celebrated every single week.

 

Whether we win, draw or lose, our Lions never fail to bring their fighting spirit to every fixture.

Learn about our clubs
Image of Netball girls in a circle with hands in the centreCategoriesEvents Student News

2024 BUCS Conference Cups Finals

2024 BUCS Conference Cups Finals 

The University of Birmingham and Sport & Fitness was proud to host was proud to host the annual 2023-24 Midlands Conference Cup Finals and support all participants during this exciting time.

Conference cup banner draped over Munrow arena spectator seats

On Wednesday 6 March, the campus welcomed University teams from across the Midlands for a full day of finals. We accommodated a total of 34 finals fixtures across 14 different sports, making it a day to remember. 

 

The action kicked off with lacrosse, hockey, badminton, basketball, and table tennis finals, all held at our Bournbrook pitches and Sport & Fitness facilities. From the first whistle to the last, every final witnessed a display of dedication and determination, as teams left nothing to chance on the pitches, courts, and tables. 

 

The day saw triumphs for two University of Birmingham teams! Our Squash M3 and Fencing M1 teams beat their opponents in style, clinching the Conference Cup titles, demonstrating sheer skill, strategy, and teamwork.

Fencing in Munrow Arena
Men's Squash standing in courts
Girl playing tennis on courts in NB kit
Rugby Union team in New Balance kit holding ball in the air

A big shout-out to the volunteers and event staff who made the event a success, along with the spectators who generated a fantastic buzz across campus.

Sports hosted at UoB at the 2023-24 BUCS Midlands Conference Cup Finals:

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Fencing
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Netball
  • Rugby League
  • Rugby Union
  • Squash
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
Explore our clubs
Oliver Morgan standing in front of a Great Britain sign wearing a swim cap and goggles.CategoriesEvents Student News

Brum success at BUCS National Championships

Brum success at BUCS National Championships

It was a weekend jam-packed with sport as University of Birmingham athletes across Athletics, Badminton, Climbing, Fencing, Karate and Swimming competed in this year’s BUCS National Championships.

Even mascot Rory the Lion returned to action in the annual 200m Danny Porter Foundation sprint, grabbing a silver medal amongst 16 representatives.

 

Hosted at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport, the BUCS points rained in for Birmingham with medals, results and records falling across the three-day event.

Didi Okoh celebrating her win.

Athletics completed a team 2nd place for the third year in a row with eight medals for Birmingham athletes. 15 of the athletes set personal best records, with the club securing its most top 8 positions across its most diverse events.

Didi Okoh (60m Ambulant), Kimani Jack (High Jump) and Tyler Bilyard (1500m) brough home gold for Brum, with Tom Bridger (3000m) and Cameron Bailey (400m) scooping silver. The Women’s Team 4x200m also finished second in their event.

Darian Moore (60m) and Zoe Hunter (1500m) completed the medal haul with Bronze finishes. Josh Woods (Triple Jump), Emilie Oakden (Pole Vault) and Orla Brennan (400m) just missed out on a medal with fourth places in their respective sports.

A record-breaking Swimming scooped six top four finishes, including four individual and two team events.

 

The Men’s and Women’s relay teams set club records finishing fourth and sixth in their respective 4 x 100m events. Para swimmer Lucy Jordan Caws won a silver medal with a season’s best in the 100m Butterfly.

 

EDCAP athlete Ollie Morgan set the pace with two Gold and two BUCS records in the 100m & 200m backstroke events.

Swimming club member in pool

Results from across the rest of our sports clubs across the weekend:

Two fencing participants dressed in fencing attire.

Fencing

 

Liam croft secured 3d place in Men’s Sabre.

Karate team group shot - all wearing red and blue University of Birmingham kit

Karate


Men’s Inter Kata – BRONZE – Harri Jordan
Women’s Novice Kata – GOLD – Katherine Galvin
Women’s Inter Kata (–70) – BRONZE – Roni Parnes
Men’s Novice Kumite (-70) – GOLD – Rajan Sidhu
Men’s Novice Kumite (+80) – BRONZE – Tom Harrison
Men’s Novice Kumite (-80) – BRONZE – Jack Maher
Women’s Novice Kumite (+63) – GOLD – Neha Nair
Women’s Senior Kumite (-50) – BRONZE – Lyra Cobb
Men’s Team Kumite – BRONZE
Overall Team Results – SILVER

Climbing


Men’s Individual 4th – Ian Davis
Men’s Team 4th Place
Women’s Team SILVER

Women's climbing team all with BUCS medals around their neck.
Explore our performance sports
University of Birmingham running at the BUCS Cross Country run.CategoriesAnnouncement Events Student News

Record breaking medal haul at BUCS Cross Country

Record-breaking BUCS Cross Country medal haul  

University of Birmingham Athletics made history with the highest-ever medal haul by any institution at this weekend’s BUCS Cross Country Championships.

The record-breaking weekend saw the Athletics Club beat their 2022 record of ten medals thanks to eight individual medals and five team medals at Temple Newsam in Leeds.

 

To strengthen their dominance, Birmingham won three of the four team titles with three out of four individual wins available.

 

The team took its largest ever cohort with 150 competitors across the event supported by staff and alumni.

 

The Cross County Championships host four races across short and long distance for Men’s and Women’s competitors. In each race, there are individual medals and team medals at stake.

Birmingham post-graduate scholar and GB representative Amelia Quirk claimed her first-ever BUCS title in style, winning her race by a massive 36 seconds.

The Men’s Team completed the first-ever podium sweep at the Championships in BUCS history, with third-year sports scholar Will Barnicoat winning his first ever BUCS individual Gold.

His teammates Tomer Tarragano, a third-year Chemistry undergraduate, and Ollie Smart completed the podium with an unprecedented 1-2-3.

With the Long Distance results contributing to the University’s overall BUCS points, the Athletics Club bought home 72 points, bettering last year’s haul by 30 points.

Sports Awards timings on a screen in the Elgar Concert area.
A group of students waiting outside in he sun on a grass area.

Posting on Instagram, Luke Gunn, Head of Performance and Athletics, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of what we produced this weekend!

 

“This team has a culture where every athlete looks out for their teammates and coaches that continually go above and beyond to make sure each athlete has the best experience.

 

“This weekend was truly special and one I feel we will be talking about for many years to come!”

MAn

See a summary of the results below:

 

Men’s – Long
Will Barnicoat – GOLD
Tomer Tarragano- SILVER
Ollie Smart – BRONZE
Team – GOLD
+ Tyler Bilyard, Mike Ward & Noah Campion

 

Women’s – Long
Amelia Quirk – GOLD
Team – SILVER
+ Elisha Tait, Elsa Palmer & Kate Willis

 

Men’s – Short
Elliot Moran – SILVER
Sam Burkitt – BRONZE
Team – GOLD
+ Fin Ward & Ethan O’Shea

 

Women’s – Short
Charlotte Alexander – GOLD
Rosie Hamilton-James – SILVER
Team – GOLD
+ Rose Chesterfield
& Team – BRONZE
+ Freya Stapleton, Zoe Hunter & Hannah Seager

 

Next up, sports scholars Tomer Tarragano, Tyler Bilyard, Charlotte Alexander and Elsa Palmer will represent Great Britain at the World University Cross Country CHampions in Oman on 17 February, with the BUCS Indoor Championships taking place on 23-25 February in Sheffield.  

Discover more about University of Birmingham Athletics
Group BJO photo in front of glass courtCategoriesEvents

British Junior Open Returns to Birmingham

British Junior Open Returns to Birmingham

Widely regarded as the second most prestigious junior open squash competition after the U19s World Junior Squash Championships, early January saw Sport & Fitness host the 2024 edition of the British Junior Open.

Spectator view of glass courts in Munrow Arena

Welcoming 600 talented young athletes from around the world in U11, U13, U15 and U17 grades, individuals battled it out across five days of competition from 3-7 January.

 

There was a huge buzz across the facility as the Munrow Hall was transformed into a world-class squash glass court, alongside the six current squash courts located on the first floor.

Of the women currently on the world stage, four of the top six have won the BJO U19 title, including the world’s top three players, Nouran Gohar, Nour El Sherbini and Hania El Hammamy. In the current men’s rankings, seven of the top ten have won BJO titles. Day one alone saw 482 matches across 22 courts!

BJO competitors holding backpacks
Two males competing in the glass court
Mascot perry fist bumping children

2024 saw Egypt sweep the board on finals’ day at the British Junior Open, with Mohamed Zakaria and Fayrouz Aboelkheir lifting the Under-19 titles at the University of Birmingham.

 

All ten champions across the five age groups were Egyptian, with six of the deciders being all-Egyptian affairs.

Andy Allford, Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham, said:

 

“It’s been fantastic to work alongside England Squash, Edgbaston Priory and all the partners involved in putting on the prestigious British Junior Open.

“It remains a fantastic fixture for our sporting calendar and congratulations to all this year’s winners, and those who competed, in some cases travelling across the world to our world class facility here at the University.

 

“Squash continues to be hugely important, as one of the University’s seven performance sports, led by head coach John Tate at the highest level of BUCS competition. From recruiting world-class athletes to study and compete here at Birmingham to success on the pitch, we’re already looking forward to what 2024 brings.’

Duty manager Ross putting medal on child
Book a court

“The staff at Sport & Fitness also deserve a notable mention, once again going above and beyond to deliver an international event.”

 

Sport & Fitness has a huge range of squash and racketball opportunities suited to all ages and abilities including: introductory coaching courses, social sessions, recreational and competitive leagues and events.

 

Members can book each of our six glass back squash courts via the app. 

Image of Netball girls in a circle with hands in the centreCategoriesAnnouncement Events Member News Student News

UoB to Host the 2023-24 BUCS Conference Finals

UoB to Host 2023-24 BUCS Conference Cup Finals

The University of Birmingham is proud and excited to announce that we have been selected by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) to host the annual 2023-24 Midlands Conference Cup Finals.

 

Taking place on Wednesday 6 March, the day will see 14 sports hosted across our exceptional facilities, with the addition of Futsal taking place at Birmingham City University.

 

Having been selected from multiple institutions, we cannot wait to host this prestigious event for the first time, and provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to play a final on home soil!

Group of lacrosse players in a huddle with lacrosse sticks up in the air.

Sports to be hosted at UoB at the 2023-24 BUCS Midlands Conference Cup Finals:

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Fencing
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Netball
  • Rugby League
  • Rugby Union
  • Squash
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
A group of footballers hugging eachother.

Thanks and congratulations go to the wider UoB Sport team and departments that made this happen; from those that were responsible for creating and submitting the initial application, to those that have supported the idea since it was first mentioned.

 

We relish any and all opportunities to showcase the amazing work we do here at UoB, and the 2023-24 BUCS Midlands Conference Cup Finals will be no different!

 

See our full fixture timetable below:

 

Basketball (M)

Munrow Arena 1, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

12:00

Basketball (W)

Munrow Arena 1, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

14:30

Netball (W)

Munrow Arena 1, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

17:00

Netball (W)

Munrow Arena 1, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

19:30

Badminton (M)

Munrow Arena 3, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

12:00

Badminton (W)

Munrow Arena 3, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

12:00

Volleyball (M)

Munrow Arena 3, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

18:30

Volleyball (W)

Munrow Arena 3, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

15:00

Table Tennis (M)

Slater Hall, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

12:00

Table Tennis (W)

Slater Hall, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

16:00

Fencing (M)

Slater Hall, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

19:00

Fencing (W)

Slater Hall, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

19:00

Squash (M)

Squash Courts, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

14:30

Squash (W)

Squash Courts, Sport and Fitness, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT

14:30

Hockey (M)

Water based synthetics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

19:30

Hockey (W)

Water based synthetics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

17:00

Hockey (M)

Water based synthetics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

12:00

Hockey (W)

Water based synthetics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

14:30

Lacrosse (M)

Metchley Grass Pitches, 126 Metchley Ln, Birmingham B17 0JA

12:00

Lacrosse (W)

Bournbrook 3G, Bournbrook 3G, Birmingham B15 2GR

14:30

Football (M)

Metchley Grass Pitches, 126 Metchley Ln, Birmingham B17 0JA

14:30

Football (W)

Bournbrook 3G, Bournbrook 3G, Birmingham B15 2GR

14:30

Football (M)

Metchley Grass Pitches, 126 Metchley Ln, Birmingham B17 0JA

14:00

Rugby Union (M)

Bournbrook 3G, Bournbrook 3G, Birmingham B15 2GR

19:30

Rugby Union (W)

Bournbrook 3G, Bournbrook 3G, Birmingham B15 2GR

17:00

Rugby Union (M)

Metchley Grass Pitches, 126 Metchley Ln, Birmingham B17 0JA

14:00

Rugby Union (M)

Metchley Grass Pitches, 126 Metchley Ln, Birmingham B17 0JA

14:00

Tennis (M)

Tennis Courts, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

11:00

Tennis (W)

Tennis Courts, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

11:00

Tennis (M)

Tennis Courts, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

14:00

Tennis (W)

Tennis Courts, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT

14:00

Golf (Mixed)

Edgbaston Golf Club, 25 Church Rd, Birmingham B15 3TB

09:30

Futsal (M)

Doug Ellis, BCU

16:15

Futsal (W)

Doug Ellis, BCU

19:30

 

 

Image of Dean Miller on the trackCategoriesEvents

From Student Athlete to Coach: Para Sport with Dean Miller

From Student Athlete to Coach: Para Sport with Dean Miller

Dean Miller is our Endurance Manager and Coach for the Athletics club here at the University. To mark Disability History Month and International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we spoke to Dean about his journey as a former Para-athlete.

 

Once a  student himself at the University of Birmingham and part of our Athletics club, Dean provides real insight into the opportunities that were made available to him through the University and beyond, and reflects on how the opportunities have changed over the years within the para-sport field.

Image of Dean Miller coaching students in Font Romeu

Credit: Zach Bridgelands

Q: For those less familiar, what is Para Sport?

 

‘It’s a fantastic spectrum of events, and actually it’s really hard to describe in just a few words – but it’s a huge thing, it’s a movement. It’s a sporting spectacle based around the Paralympics and Paralympic sport, which is born from the Olympic Games. But our sport is based around sport for disabled people at all different levels, ranging from participation level in clubs athletes, fitness and rehab, right the way through to the real elite and world class side of things at the Paralympic Games, who receive sponsorships and make a living from sport. I’m a massive advocate for Para Sport and we’re trying to do more for the University’.

Q: What opportunities were available to you that helped you get involved in para-athletics in the first place?

‘I actually think that my path was probably slightly different in that prior to joining the University of Birmingham as a student, I was already involved in non-para sport. My dad was an athletics coach. I think it was the Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004 that I happened to be watching, which would go on to be my classification, the 1500.

I said to my dad, those guys run like me – could I be on that stage? Then we started to explore how I could get into Para sport, and I was fortunate enough that I was a pretty good club athlete and with my Cerebral Palsy and the level of training, I was able to make some GB teams.

Off the back of that, my profile and where I was in the sport allowed me to come to University of Birmingham and be part of the scholarship program.’

Image of young Dean running on a track for GB

Q: What was your experience on the University of Birmingham Sport Scholarship Programme?

 

‘I was really well supported as a student athlete here; Birmingham has become my home. As I say, I’ve been here since 2007 now and they supported me well as a student athlete with a disability at a world class level.

 

I graduated in 2011 as an under-grad, but I’ve never left the place. They continued to support me through a graduate sports scholarship from 2011 to the end of my career in 2015, when I retired for injury. I’m now coaching the Universities athletics team here. I think in terms of opportunities the university is given me as someone within para sport, it’s kind of endless.

 

And from supporting me with the job, supporting my kind of my athletic skills as an athlete along with socially and educationally.’

 

Q: What is your fondest memory during your time competing?

 

‘It has to be the home games. I didn’t ever think I’d compete in front of 80,000 people, which I got to do.

 

The 2012 Paralympics is the biggest Paralympics ever. It’s the first Paralympic Games ever to be sold out. I remember speaking to one of my training partners at the time that summer and he said, I can’t get a ticket for your event. And I said, I’m sure we’ll be able to sort one out. And actually, at that point I think I realised I was going to be competing in front of a packed-out Olympic stadium.

 

I think I was one of only two Brits on that evening, so it was a pretty surreal moment. I always describe as I felt like I was running in a PlayStation game. It felt crazy and I probably never experienced anything like that again. For me, having that evening in the stadium to run a Paralympic final was really, really special.’

Q: How have the opportunities available to para-athletes improved since you first got involved, and what specifically does the University of Birmingham offer para-athletes, in terms of opportunities to participate, develop and compete?


‘It’s funny how opportunities available to us athletes have improved since I first got involved and what specifically was being invested in the athletes. I think the Paralympics and the Paralympic movement and power sport is always like a little sister or brother to the Olympic Games, so we always we are always playing catch-up in that sense.

 

But as I said, I’ve just spoke about the 2012 Games and what the games did for our sport in helping throw para sport into the mainstream channels, like marketing campaigns.

We’ve seen so much more opportunity, the Paralympic Games are growing. More sports are involved now, and there’s more money in the sport so our athletes can genuinely be world class in the classification in our event and go on top careers, which is something that maybe like 20 years ago and just before the London Games was much smaller.

 

And you’ve got household names. You’ve got you got your Jonnie Peacock, Johanna Cockcroft, they aren’t just world class athletes, but also celebrities and have made careers and are advocates for para sports. So, I think what the games in 2012 did was massive from a university perspective.’

Dean pictured next to student athlete with track in background

Credit: Zach Bridgelands

Athletics Club running on track in Font Romeu

You can find out more about the Athletics club that Dean coaches using the link below.

Athletics Club
CategoriesAnnouncement Events Member News Student News

All Things Archon

ALL THINGS ARCHON

Whether you’re a regular gym-goer or just beginning your fitness journey, Archon’s ‘The Fittest – Universities’ offers the perfect opportunity to discover your potential, set personal benchmarks and witness your progress soar over nine action-packed months.

WHAT IS ARCHON?

Archon created the first ever rating for fitness (AFR), allowing everyone to understand their fitness and what it could mean for them in the future. Creating a universal fitness rating means that everyone has the ability to see how fit they are and, once armed with that information, what that could possibly lead to.

No matter where you’re currently at in your fitness journey, Archon’s unique challenge is open to all UoB students between October 2023 and June 2024, enabling you to ignite your workouts and participate in an epic array of monthly, gym-based engagements, each tailored to push your endurance, strength and power. It’s completely free to take part and you are welcome to tackle each challenge at your own pace in any gym!

As you conquer each task, just enter your scores onto the Archon web app from your smart device and let it intuitively convert your scores into fitness ratings, providing a streamlined method for you to monitor and map out your progression throughout this exciting journey.

With a unique rating system based on your own individual metrics, everyone is rated fairly. You might be interested in testing your existing limits, or perhaps you’re using this as a stepping stone to kick-start a more active lifestyle. Either way, Archon is here to guide and motivate you every step of the way.

Registration for The Fittest – Universities is now OPEN, providing you with the chance to be a part of something huge: to represent the University of Birmingham at the live Championships in June 2024 and be in with a shot of claiming the coveted title of ‘The Fittest Student’.

It’s time to commit to your fitness goals, make them happen and have some fun along the way: secure your spot by registering here today and get ready to show the world what you’re made of!

Archon registration

For more information, feel free to reach out to a member of the Sport & Fitness or Tiverton Gym teams.

The Launch Event – You Are Invited!

The first LIVE engagement will be taking place locally later this month and 112 students are invited to enter a free ballot to be selected to attend and complete the first phase of the rating. All details below:

 

Date: Friday 27 October 2023
Venue: Gymshark Lifting Club, Solihull B90 8AW
Guest Privilege: Every student selected is welcome to bring along one spectator for support!
Participation: No costs involved; it’s all about the experience!
Engagement Details: A full day of excitement, where participants will initiate the first phase of the FITTEST rating live.
Transportation: Participants will need to arrange their own travel.

 

In order to be in with a chance of being selected to attend, please first register via the button above. Once registered, fill out the following ballot entry form to secure your potential spot for the live event:  https://archon-app.com/launch-gslc/

See you at the start line!

CategoriesCampaign Events Member News Psychology Student News

World Mental Health Day 2023

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2023

Tuesday 10 October is World Mental Health Day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that despite good mental health being vital to our overall health and wellbeing, one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions. These impact an individual’s physical health, wellbeing and how they connect with others, as well as their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increased number of adolescents and young people in particular.

In line with WHO, the University of Birmingham is committed to ensuring mental health is valued, promoted and protected throughout its communities. We are part of the Government’s Mental Health Mission, designed to develop radical new treatments for mental health conditions and improve the outcomes and care for young people with mental health problems.

From a Sport & Fitness perspective specifically, we not only ensure that a number of our staff are Mental Health and Suicide First Aid trained, but also collectively endeavour to provide ample and varied opportunities for our students, staff and members to access support, and to participate in sport and fitness at any level to improve and/or maintain their overall wellbeing.

In honour of this year’s World Mental Health Day, we caught up with two of our in-house Performance Sport experts that specifically work with the University’s highest performing and elite student-athletes, to gather some guidance and insight to how we can best prioritise and take care of our own mental health this October and beyond, whilst also equipping us with the necessary skills to support those close to us that may, at times, need it.

MEET THE EXPERTS

Dr Sue Jones

University of Birmingham Sport Psychologist

Joanna Eley

University of Birmingham Sport Performance Lifestyle Lead

Sue Says...

“Throughout my work I apply a ‘Person First’ approach. A person’s chosen physical activity is just one piece of their story and identity. Maintaining a healthy relationship with sport is key to long term mental health and wellbeing, but sport rarely follows a linear path to success, so it’s important to focus on the process building, not just outcomes. The scales between performance and wellbeing can change very quickly, so the better you connect with someone’s story, the quicker you can react to those changes and empower them to notice these changes themselves.”

Jo Says...

“While the goal should ideally be to experience high mental health so that individuals can flourish, the majority of people actually just sit somewhere in the moderate mental health scale day-to-day and the main focus tends to be on not experiencing low mental health or mental illness. As a result of this focus, much of the support available tends to be reactive-geared and problem-focused, however the optimum mental health requires a much more proactive approach and an understanding of the different dimensions that can have an impact on your mental health. Being aware of what high mental health looks like for you, the strategies that support that and reducing the barriers to delivering those strategies is something I strive to support high performance individuals achieve.”

Sue and Jo's Top Tips

  1. Journal
    Recognise how you think and behave in positive times so that you can spot any changes in yourself and/or identify any certain triggers for future reference. Journalling is a good way to do this.
  2. Periods of non-ideal mental health are exactly the same as injuries and therefore should be treated as such. That mean you need to adapt your training or usual routine, in order to prioritise and recover.
  3. Be proactive
    Where possible, keep active, maintain balanced eating habits, maintain self-care and hygiene, regulate sleeping habits, be sociable – even in times when you don’t feel fully up to it, these will help to keep the brain and body healthy.
  4. Be self-compassionate
    If you’re finding something hard, it’s probably because it is hard! It’s much easier to process and move through your feeling if you can acknowledge and accept them.
  5. Build your system
    Slowly over time aim to build and maintain day-to-day/week-by-week processes that facilitate the best mental health outcomes for you. This will help you identify stressors and aid you in working how best to create boundaries and strategies that reduce these stressors that contribute to lower mental health.
  6. Talk to others
    The more you talk to others about general things, the easier it will be to seek support for the more difficult topics.
  7. Supporting others
    Practice empathy and validate their experience(s) by being willing to see their perspective, refraining from judgement, accepting how they are feeling and welcoming conversation.

FREE CLASS AT SPORT & FITNESS!

 

To celebrate this year’s World Mental Health Day, Sport & Fitness will be running a FREE Stretch & Relaxation class, taking place 8:30-9:15am in the Dojo.

 

Bookable now via the Sport & Fitness app under ‘Classes’ and open to everyone in the midst of another busy week, we hope this provides the chance for you to take some well-deserved time for yourself.