Introducing Club Sport

Club Sport provides many opportunities for you to participate and compete in a wide variety of sports while you are at University.

With 47 sports clubs for you to choose from and many links to other clubs across the city we are confident that there will be something out there for you to carry on your existing sporting interest or for you to try something completely new during your university years.

Clubs offer much more than just playing sport and Sport Sheffield clubs are committed to delivering an excellent sporting student experience by providing students with a wide range of opportunities to get involved in sport, exploring new and exciting places, develop personal skills, celebrating sporting achievements, developing a sense of community and pride and also a chance to develop friendships for life.

If however, you feel there is a need for something new, read on!

How can I apply?

If you want to apply to set up a new Sports Club, here is what you need to do.

1. Read through the New Club Application process' stages below. They will explain what sports cannot be approved and what the process is.
2. If your proposed club meets the criteria outlined in the stages below then submit a written application before one of the two annual deadlines using the link.
3. Your application will be considered by Sport Sheffield and the Students' Union and you will be informed of the outcome shortly after the application deadline. Club Sport will let you know what to do from there!

Stage 1

Your application will be received by the Club Sport Manager, the Sports Officer, and a representative from Sports Committee (normally the Chair) in the first instance. Recommendations will then be taken to the Sport Sheffield Partnership Group for ratification and final approval.

Stage 2

Twice a year applications received will be considered by the Sport Sheffield / Students' Union Partnership Group. You may be invited to a meeting to discuss the finer points of your application, to ensure that the group has all the information it needs in order to make a decision.

Any new club applications against which at least one of the following criteria applies will be rejected automatically.

1. A duplication of an existing Sport Sheffield Club, or Students' Union Society.
2. A Sport not recognised by Sport England (for an up to date list visit the Sport England website)
3. If the sports cannot be insured through our public liability insurance.
4. If proposing activities that might bring Sport Sheffield or the Students' Union into disrepute.
5. If a joint club with Sheffield Hallam.
6. The nature of the activity is deemed to be of such high risk that it would require a disproportionate amount of staff time or other resources (eg. equipment) to ensure compliance with minimum safety standards.

There are also a number of minimum requirements that must be met, and a few optional requirements that may strengthen an application.

Minimum requirements:

1. Has a recognised National Governing Body.
2. There is proven demand for the club.
3. There are enough members to form a committee (at least Club Captain, Secretary and Treasurer and Safety Officer where necessary for high risk sports).
4. The club can be sustainable financially (we would expect you show that you can operate without major funding for the first year as there is very limited funding available). A club budget outline for example.
5. The club can be sustainable operationally (are there non final-year members on committee to take the club forward after the first year etc.).

Optional requirements:

1. A statement or letter of support from the National Governing Body.
2. BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) recognised sport.
3. Links with a facility where the sport takes place.
4. Links to coaching providers (qualified) as appropriate.

Stage 3

If your club gets approved then you will need to complete the following documents prior to any activity or promotion.

1. Club Committee Form.
2. Constitution.
3. Risk Assessment Form.
4. Development plan.
5. Financial plan.

Once these have been completed satisfactorily you will then be formally recognised as a Sport Sheffield Club and commence activity under the Club Sport banner!

Stage 4

Accepted clubs will then receive:

1. A start up fund of £100.
2. Access to the Sports Fair.
3. Access to Club Training Day and Focus Groups.
4. Access to staff support.
5. Club bank account.
6. A Union Room Bookings Card.
7. Access to Club Photos day.

Apply

To start your application for a new sports club, please click on the button below (opens in new browser window).
The next deadline for applications is 26th June 2013.

Start Application