The Power of Sport Volunteering in Communities

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog is from our Development Officer in Sport Inclusion, Joe Leaver, who visited Ghana in 2016 to support a local football club. Hear about Joe’s experience of sports volunteering and the power of sport in communities! 

Back in 2016, I decided to use my football coaching and playing experience to support a football club just outside of Accra, Ghana. I had long been interested in football development and knew that there were many talented footballers in Africa for whom opportunities to develop themselves in the sport barely exist. I wanted to volunteer and offer my services in a way that would help. (more…)

Hobson Cup – How the University of Bristol Tennis Club is Raising Money for Healthy Minds

Posted on by Megan Leeson

On Saturday 8 June, the University of Bristol Tennis Club (UBTC) hosted the annual Hobson Cup at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, with all money raised going to towards our Healthy Minds programme. Our Director of Tennis Andy Trott explains what the Hobson Cup means to the University’s Tennis Club in this blog.

The Hobson Cup was started in memory of Jack Hobson, a former UBTC member, BUCS player and student coach. Jack’s contribution to UBTC and tennis at the University during his time as a student was outstanding. Jack sadly passed away after he graduated.

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From Exams to Somerset Swim Plans

Posted on by Megan Leeson

With Drowning Prevention Week coming up (15 – 22 June 2024), our Sport Centre Manager and former lifeguard Jacob Garrett shares his advice on how to stay safe when enjoying outdoor swimming this summer.

The skies are churning with the faint signs of a summer breeze and new adventures to be had in the beautiful county of Somerset. But it isn’t quite here yet and the exam period can feel like an eternity amongst the stress of revision, with limited time outside of exams. Don’t worry, the county has you covered! Within a one hour’s bus trip you can reach Clevedon Marine Lake, an infinity swimming lake right on the edge of the Bristol Channel.  Another option of travel for the more adventurous is a cycle trek which takes roughly one hour twenty minutes. This is a brilliant way to spend the best part of a day with friends and allows you the headspace you need without taking too much of your time to enjoy it.

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Staff Football Has Been an “Absolute Game Changer to My Overall Wellbeing and Fitness”

Posted on by Megan Leeson

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (13 – 19 May 2024) is Moving More for our Mental Health. As part of our campaign, we spoke with our Student Wellbeing Manager and Staff Football Club organiser, Jon Jerrome, about how the football club helps University of Bristol staff to move more. The club recently launched its first ever member survey with a view of understanding the impact of Staff Football, particularly on the wellbeing of it’s players. Here is Jon’s summary of the results.

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UK Coaching Week 2024 – Top Tips on Leadership and Coaching

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post celebrates UK Coaching Week! The theme for this year’s campaign is focusing on developing holistic coaching skills and encouraging more women into leadership positions within sport. We spoke with our Strength and Conditioning Coach Samara Nche about the lessons that she has learnt from her ten-year coaching career, as well as some tips on leadership from our Tennis Head Coach Ali Blackett.

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5 Key Principles to Time Management

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog is from our Deputy Business Manager, Zaneta Nedza, on her 5 key principles to managing her time between work, busy life, and basketball! Zaneta will be representing Team GB at this year’s European Maxibasketball Championships. taking place in Pesaro, Italy from 21 – 30 June 2024. Support Zaneta on her journey to Pesaro by donating to her fundraising page! You can find out more about the sport on the GB Maxibasketball website.

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A Look Back at Performance Sport in Term Two

Posted on by Megan Leeson

As the 2023/24 BUCS season concludes for 85 of our Bristol teams, our Performance Sport Manager Matt Paine reflects on term two having ended the term in the top 10 of the national BUCS Points table, as well as remembering our Head of Hockey, Ben Dudley, one year after he lost his fight to cancer.

I always seem to say it, but wow this has been a special term. From teams in BUCS and National Competition, to individuals playing Super League Netball, and to top that, some very exciting sporting playoffs to come over the next few weeks! (more…)

The Science of Eating Well

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post is from our Chef at Coombe Dingle, Tim Hinson, on how a book on gut health rocked his whole perception of how the world works and influences his catering in the pavilion at Coombe.

You probably shouldn’t base your whole world view on astonishing facts. If someone tells you that ants don’t have lungs or giraffes are 30 times more likely than humans to be struck by lightning, then a well-adjusted person will say something like “wow, that’s amazing” and then move on.*

*unless you’re in a pub, in which case you’ll probably want to assemble a panel to speculate on the matter for at least 45 minutes. (more…)

Micro-dosing Strength Exercises and the Butterfly Effect for Runners

Posted on by Megan Leeson

This week’s blog post is written by one of our Physiotherapists, Henry Abrahams. As a Physiotherapist (MSc) and a Personal Trainer with a BSc in Sports Science, Henry also cofounded MoveWell, selling sustainable recovery fitness and rehabilitation products. Henry shares his knowledge on how micro-dosing strength exercises is a great way to incorporate strength work for runners, as well as the top three exercises you can do!

We often hear ‘build strength to improve your running’ and ‘your ability to recover’ but let’s be honest, it can be difficult to find the time.

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