Joining a team at university can be a big part of the university experience for many. TUXtra’s Grace McCandless went along to a netball practice to meet some of the students taking part.
At Olympia Hall, the Teesside University women’s netball team were hard at work practising. A quick warm-up was followed by different drills including a short match between the girls and then some throws into the net.
The team has a first and a second team who both compete in British Universities and Colleges Sport, more commonly known as BUCS. The first team competes in the Northern Tier 5B while the second team is in the Northern Tier 8B.
Both teams sit last in their respective tables with only one win each. But Emily Curtis, 19, co-captain, said the team was progressing.
She added: “Every game we have improved our skills and developed well as a team.”
Ruby Margo, 19, added: “It is a very pressurised environment and the pressure does get to us.”
The girls all had different reasons for joining the netball team.
Eloise Swift, 18, who joined after starting university, said: “I started going for fitness but got better at it and now really enjoy the game.”
Izzy Pugh, 18, has been playing netball since primary school, said she specifically looked for a university with a netball team. She added: “I wanted to be out of my flat away from my friends there and to be able to have my own thing.”
The netball team has training every Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm. They also have recreational netball every Thursday from 5pm to 6pm for those who want to have a bit of fun and exercise at the same time.
The girls also gave some advice for anyone who wants to join a sports team at university but may have doubts or are nervous to join.
Rebecca Manchester, 21, club captain, said: “As scary as it may seem, everyone is so lovely so take the leap.”
Emily said: “Just do it. You’ll regret it if you haven’t, but you’ll never regret joining.”
Ruby said: “Go in open-minded, not everyone is a professional just try hard.”
