We consider sports participation to be a crucial part of maintaining balance between academic and healthy lifestyles. Our ‘Give Sport a Go’ (GSAG) programme, funded by Sport England Active Universities project, encourages participation in sport. In our first three years of running this at Salford, we had 2,400 Salford students participating in the programme. So we are very proud that our GSAG efforts have led us to being named in the recent Sport England Active Universities Report. The Sport England Active Universities Report outlines success and learning outcomes from Universities who received funding as part of the three year Sport England project, promoting participation in sports.

Salford rated three mentions, outlining our innovative approaches in participation and supporting retention in University Sport overall. The success of our programmes is referenced, quoting us as saying “that not only does participation help with retention rates, but it also encourages [students] to do further studies, so they can stay involved with the University and the things it has to offer.”

The report states that the “impact of the Sport England Active Universities programme has been far wider than [participation increase] outcome alone. Projects have reported a change in perception from both students and the university in the way in which sport is viewed. There is recognition…of the value of recreational sport and the contribution that participation can bring to wider university outcomes such as graduate employability, student experience and student attraction and retention.”

It also stated that general university feedback indicates “recognition of recreational sport becoming more balanced with that of performance sport as it becomes more integrated within institutions delivery systems.” This supports our strategy and the way we have worked to make sports participation accessible at all levels, from beginner to elite, where sport is a part of the university experience.

The report says that “a high proportion of students engaged are believed to be students who would otherwise have prioritised other activities over sport or undertaken no sport at all.”

We recognise this impact, and can measure this in our own participation number and student feedback. So much that we’re formally committed to encourage even more students to take up a sport. The report references this commitment saying, “Following on from the Active Universities project, the University of Salford Students’ Union is now working towards a target of 30% of students participating in sport over the next three years, and sees recreational sport as a key contributor to reaching that goal.”

Earlier this year, we were successful in applying and receiving just short of £100,000 funding to continue the Give Sport a Go programme for Salford students over the next three years. We are proud of our participation in our Sport England’s Active Universities project, and look forward to continuing to bring you sporting opportunities during your time at the University of Salford.

You can find ‘Give Sport a Go’ information on our website. Otherwise, please drop into the Student Activities team, downstairs at University House (9-5, Mon-Fri) for any questions and help.

If you would like to read the full Sport England Active Universities Report 2011-2014, please email StudentActivities-USSU@Salford.ac.uk