Welcome Week 2022
Discover a world of sport and fitness opportunities available to students at the University of Birmingham
Welcome to the University of Birmingham! This Welcome Week, you can discover everything UoB Sport & Fitness has to offer from classes to Campus League to recreational sport, there is something for everyone. Get involved, and join the pride.
The power of sport to motivate and inspire goes so much further than sporting ability. From keeping fit and leading healthy balanced lifestyles, to learning a new activity, you will never have a better opportunity to get involved, have fun and make new friends.
With sports clubs, the gym, classes, recreational sports teams and competitive national leagues, sport at University can often seem a daunting beast. How do you know where to start? What if you just want to try something out to see if you like it? What if you don’t get into a team? These are all thoughts that cross our minds during Welcome Week. We hope that our wide range of events will give you the opportunity to find out everything you need to know to make your decision.
The majority of activities will take place on campus, however, several activities including Q&As and talks will take place online. All activities are free of charge, however, we recommend you book to receive further information.
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EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
SPORT & FITNESS FAIR
Tuesday 20 September, 10am – 5pm
Munrow Arena, Sport & Fitness Centre
Join us at Sport & Fitness to discover how you can start or continue your sporting journey, socially or competitively at the University of Birmingham. With 56 sports to choose from and a huge range of fitness opportunities, there really is something for everyone. Our sports fair will give you the opportunity to meet the clubs, sign up for trials and see the vast range of teams that compete for UoB.
Don’t forget, if you are interested in joining one or more sports clubs, please register your interest on their club webpage. They will then contact you with further info regarding training times, membership details, and trials/taster sessions.
LOW SENSORY HOUR
To ensure our fair is as inclusive and accessible as possible to all, the first hour of the fair this year will be a low sensory hour. No music will be playing, lights in the Munrow Arena will be dimmed, and there will be optional interactions with fair stands.
EXPLORE SPORT & FITNESS
Students will also have the opportunity to explore our extensive and state-of-the-art Sport & Fitness centre on the day. Tours will be self-guided. Head over to our memberships stand at Sports Fair to grab yourself a self-guided tour map and chat to the team.
CLIMBING TASTER SESSIONS
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness
Join us for a range of free climbing sessions on our 10m climbing wall at Sport & Fitness. Sessions are open to all abilities, giving you the opportunity to get kitted up and start climbing under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
SESSIONS AVAILABLE
Tuesday 20 September, 3pm
Wednesday 21 September, 4.30pm
Thursday 22 September, 6pm
SPORT & FITNESS AT THE WELLBEING MARQUEE
Various days throughout Welcome Week
Wellbeing Marquee, Green Heart
Join us in the Wellbeing Marquee on the Green Heart for a variety of free activities led by our expert instructors. You do not need to register, simply show up and get involved! Here is what you can get involved with:
SESSIONS AVAILABLE
Casual Badminton and Netball – 11am-12.30pm, Wednesday 21 September
Pilates – 4-5pm, Tuesday 20 September
Yoga – 4-5pm, Thursday 22 September
ACCOMODATION FREE YOGA SESSION
Wednesday 21 September, 5.30 – 6.15pm, The Hampton Room, Chamberlain, Vale Village
Join the Sport and Fitness team for a free Yoga session on the Vale – providing a time for peace and relaxation during your busy Welcome Week!
GENERAL SPORT Q&A WEBINAR
Wednesday 21 September, 7 – 7:30pm, Zoom
Do you have any questions about sport at Birmingham? Join us on Zoom to find out more about sport at Birmingham, or ask any questions you may have! To join the live session, please register below, log into Zoom and join the meeting using the meeting ID and password which will be provided in your registration confirmation email.
SPORT & FITNESS CLASS TASTERS
Wednesday 21 September, 8am – 9pm
Sport & Fitness Centre
Join us on Wednesday 21 September as we host a variety of fitness class tasters that you can get involved with.
Fitness classes are the perfect way to add variety to your workout routine or start exercising in a fun and friendly environment. Our classes are all designed to be mixed ability, so whether you’re giving Body Pump a go for the first time or you’re a Pilates pro, the instructor will guide you through a workout that suits your ability.
CLASSES AVAILABLE
1.10pm – Gentle Stretch, 45 mins
1.30pm – LBT, 45 mins
5.20pm – Cycle, 60 mins
6pm – Yin Yoga, 60 mins
6.30pm – Cycle, 60 mins
HOW TO BOOK
You can book your class tasters via Eventbrite. Once you’ve booked your taster, just arrive at the Sport and Fitness reception before your class where you will be registered! If you have any questions prior to your class, please email [email protected]
ACCOMODATION CASUAL BADMINTON AND NETBALL
Thursday 22 September, 1.30-3.30pm, Grass Area outside The Duck & Scholar
Drop in and play some outdoor badminton and netball for free with the Sport & Fitness team. Perfect for bonding with new housemates, or meeting new friends. No equipment is required, just show up, play and have fun!
CAMPUS LEAGUE TASTER SESSIONS
Thursday 22 – Friday 23 September
For individuals or small groups who are interested in playing in Campus League but need a team to join, come along to a taster session to find your new teammates. The deadline to enter a team is Monday 26 September.
SESSIONS AVAILABLE
Thursday
Netball – 12-1pm, 1-2pm, Munrow Arena
Football – 4-5pm, Bournbrook 3G
Hockey – 6-7pm, Water Based Hockey Pitches
Friday
Football – 5-6pm, Bournbrook 3G
GIVE IT A GO FAIR
Friday 23 September, 10am-4pm
Guild of Students Marquee
Meet a variety of societies and sports clubs and discover what they offer by giving it a go! Further details will be released shortly. You do not need to book for this fair. Simply turn up and join in the fun.
ACCOMODATION FREE OUTDOOR FITNESS/CIRCUITS
Friday 23 September, 1-2pm, Grass Area outside The Duck & Scholar
Come along for a FREE outdoor fitness session, with a Sport and Fitness Group Exercise instructor! This session will be a time for refreshing yourself at the end of a busy Welcome Week! Perfect for beginners, all equipment will be provided by the team.
SOCIAL NETBALL – £1 TASTER SESSION
Saturday 24 September, 1-2pm or 2-3pm, Munrow Arena, Sport & Fitness
If you are interested in recreational Netball, we offer weekly Social Netball sessions as part of our Social Sport programme – feel free to just turn up and play! Social Netball also has teams that are entered into Campus League Netball.
ACCOMODATION FREE RELAXATION YOGA
Sunday 25 September, 4.30-5.30pm, The Hampton Room, Chamberlain, Vale Village
Taking place from 4.30-5.30pm, this relaxation Yoga session will be a perfect end to Welcome Week, ready to prepare you for lectures! Perfect for beginners and those used to Yoga. Feel free to bring your own mat, but all mats will be provided.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness club is located in the south-east corner of campus.
For details on how to get there please refer to building O7 on the Campus Map.
University of Birmingham offers membership at the Sport & Fitness club on campus (gym, swim, squash) and Tiverton Gym, on Tiverton Road in Selly Oak (gym only).
Student memberships must be purchased online, you will not be able to buy a membership from reception. All memberships are subject to availability.
You will be able to join and pay membership for all clubs online. Sport and Fitness Fair is happening on Tuesday 20 September, which is your opportunity to chat to clubs and find out more.
You can also sign up at the fair to find out more information about training times, how to book on to tasters or trials and find out other key information.
Yes, there will be opportunities across all our clubs to trial a sport before joining. Follow the clubs you are interested in on social media or register your interest on their club page for further information.
Yes, there will be opportunities across all our clubs to trial a sport before officially joining. There will also be Campus League Tasters if you are not sure whether to trial.
No. Most clubs do where they can, or will have some sessions on Campus as well as using external facilities where this isn’t possible. Some of these include Skiing, Sailing, Windsurfing, Equestrian, Snooker & Pool and Mountaineering. Local facilities are used that are easily accessible/walkable or transport is provided.
Membership fees vary between each club. This covers a range of things including training and match fees, equipment, transport and insurance.
BUCS stands for British Universities and Colleges Sport and is the National Governing Body of University sport in the UK. A lot of clubs compete in BUCS leagues and competitions against other Universities.