This event for new students at the University is organised by Sport, Exercise & Health and UBU-Sport & Health, on behalf of a number of the University’s focus sports clubs. The aims of Fresh Sport (formerly 'Introductory Week Sports Coaching') are:
Each year approximately 1000 students take part in the event, in over 20 sports at the University's main sports facilities - all aiming to get into the top teams. The event also provides a great chance to experience the fun, friendship and sporting opportunities available at university.
Sports are included in Fresh Sport because they attract large numbers of incoming students and because they have immediate competitive demands and need to make an early start on team selection. The coaching is organised to help identify athletes who have the ability, and drive, to represent the University in their chosen sport.
There are several thriving sports clubs at Bristol which are not involved in the event. If your sport is not included, you can find out more by visiting the UBU-Sport website.
The 2011 event will mainly take place on Sunday 9th October, at the end of the University's introductory week.
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Details of the event and application process were included in the information packs sent to all incoming students during the Summer. The information pack and booking form can also be downloaded.
Download event information (pdf, 49Kb)
Please read the following points:
Have you applied? - only students who have pre-booked and paid may attend. There will be NO on-the-day applications.
Have you paid? – International students unable to pay in advance, please go to the Sport, Exercise & Health stall at Fresher’s’ fair, or the sports centre to pay
Check Transport – transport is available. Please see timetable for details. As of October 2011 a new bus service is also in operation – U6 – running between the University centre and the Stoke Bishop area.
Bristol Grammar School- those playing squash at BGS should go to the Indoor Sports Centre to be met by a member of the club who will take them to the venue.
Food – Food is provided for all paid participants. Your club committee will give you a food voucher. Students playing at Coombe Dingle will be provided with food at this venue. All others students will receive a lunch at the Sports Centre.
Kit and Water - please come to the coaching sessions with appropriate playing kit and equipment as well as a suitable water-based drink. Bottles can be refilled at all venues.
The ULink U6/U6a service operates between Stoke Bishop (stop at junction of Saville Road & Hollybush Lane) running hourly on a Sunday.
Details at: www.bristol.ac.uk/university-bus
Extra transport is provided for this event. This is in addition to the U6 University Bus service. Please be at your stop at least 5 minutes early.
| Time | Pick-up location | Destination | Sports |
|---|---|---|---|
| * Saturday 9am | Churchill Hall car park | Chew Valley lake | Sailing |
| *Saturday 9am | Student Union building | Chew Valley lake | Sailing |
| Sunday from 11.45am |
Student Union building | Coombe Dingle sports complex |
Hockey/Lacrosse/Netball/Football/Rugby/Tennis/Cross Country |
| from 4.30pm | Coombe Dingle sports complex | Student Union building | Return journeys |
* Sailing: Cars will pick up from both the Churchill Hall car park and the Students’ Union at 9.00am on the 9th October.
Download final event timetable (Word doc, 44.5kB)
A number of the sports clubs are running pre-season programmes before/during the start of term. Contact the club directly for more details (See the club contact details on the UBU-Sport website). Clubs will also assess Fresh Sport applications during September and may make early contact with you so please use the booking form to highlight your experience.
Yes – just visit the sports section at Freshers' Fair and chat to the club who will invite you to go along to their first training session.
Pick your strongest sport to play and then visit the other sport's stand at Freshers' Fair to find out about their first training session. It is unlikely you will be able to represent both sports during the year as most compete at the same time on a Wednesday afternoon, but it does depend on your sports. We recommend though that you chat to both clubs involved, visit their sessions and then make a decision.
If you have been chosen to represent the University, you will be given instructions by the club representatives and the coaches at the end of the session about training times and the format of the club.
You can still play on a regular basis by joining an Intramural team. Intramural Sport enables students of all sporting abilities to participate in a relaxed environment without having to commit to a University club. Teams are entered by Halls, Departments, or groups of friends, in the wide variety of leagues and tournaments that take place throughout the year. For more information, simply visit the Intramural stand at Freshers' Fair, the sport notice board in your halls of residence or the Intramural webpages
Yes – you can attend the session as a one-off introduction to sport at the University of Bristol. However, if you wish to continue playing sport at the University of Bristol, you must purchase a sports pass after the event.
You can see if the sport you are interested in caters for novices at Fresh Sport by checking the 'standard required'. If not, visit the club stand at Freshers' Fair and speak to the club committee members on the day. Most of the clubs welcome novices and run activities and training for them.
Yes – the University offers a number of sports scholarships, including membership to the High Performance Squad. Visit the high performance web pages for more details
For any other queries please contact the Sports Development team in Sport, Exercise and Health on sport-development@bris.ac.uk or 0117 331 1109.