LIFE AT ESSEX

Sport for all at Essex

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Sport for all

Essex Sport

When it comes to sport, you're in good company with us. Essex is now one of the UK’s top 30 sporting universities (in the British Universities and Colleges Sport rankings) for the first time in our 60-year history.

We know that exercise improves your mental well being, can help you keep calm during those stressful exam periods and boosts performance in your studies which is why our three campuses offer something for everyone,. From water sports at our coastal Southend campus, to stage combat for our East 15 Acting School students at Loughton campus, and a full range of on-campus facilities in Colchester

We have classes and facilities to suit all levels from informal drop-in Active sessions to easy to follow learn-to sports courses. Essex Sport is our university run scheme that connects all of our amazing sports facilities, whether you are an athlete or an occasional exerciser.

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"If you're looking to gain a new skill, Essex Sport also offers a range of 'Learn To' courses to help you master something new"
Katrina Palmer MA POLITICS

Our Colchester campus gym is home to over 160 fitness stations, on-site parking, machines with TV and audio systems and 300 fitness classes every monthThen there's our 250-metre climbing wall with bouldering and top roping facilities to take your fitness levels to the top. Plus over 20 indoor courts, including basketball, volleyball, squash, netball and futsal. 

Our Essex Sport Arena at Colchester campus is a multi-purpose space, used for sporting events, exhibitions, dance events and more. It is also home to our professional basketball and volleyball teams, the Essex Rebels, who compete in top-level national leagues.

If competitive sport isn't your thing, Essex offers the excellent Just Play scheme. Just Play focuses on engaging students from all abilities and backgrounds, with a non-competitive and low commitment sport.

Fancy being part of a club? The Essex Blades contains 44 clubs and over 4,500 members, so there's bound to be a club you'll enjoy at Essex!

Membership packages have been tailored to suit everyone's needs with options of a monthly direct debit or a one-off annual membership. Visit our sport pages for further details.

Sports scholarships and bursaries

Essex Sport strives to provide innovative, athlete-centred programmes in our performance sports and focus teams: volleyball, basketball, tennis, football and individual athletes and other team sports.

We have a high ambition to become the leading sports institution in the East and offer sports scholarships to ultra-talented athletes, providing coaching and support services, gym memberships and free kits.

We also offer a range of sports bursaries. Our sports bursaries are cash awards, paid on a termly basis dependent on adherence to sporting and academic targets following a review.

Find out more information and how to apply for one of Sport scholarships or bursaries.

Discover more sport at Essex

Essex Blades  

The Essex Blades is the shared name for all of the SU Sports Clubs on campus. With 44 clubs and over 4,500 members there's bound to be a club you'll enjoy! The Blades compete in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) which, in short, is the most competitive league at university level.

There really is something for everyone, from clubs you're used to playing at school like Netball, Rugby or Football, to ones you perhaps haven't given a go before like Ultimate Frisbee, Fencing or Boxing.

Our clubs train together throughout the year, with many competing in local or national competitions. The SU offer a variety of social events for Blades members through the year too! From Derby Day to Alumni Weekend to Sports awards, there's always a chance to celebrate your club's success.

Essex Blades)
Essex Blades

Essex Rebels

The Essex Rebels is a basketball and volleyball end-to-end programme that encompasses a full pathway from senior professional teams through to the Rebels Roadshow schools outreach programme. 

The name of the Essex Rebels reflects the history of both the University of Essex and the city of Colchester in which the University resides. Students at the University have been known for their political activism throughout its history, reflected in the strapline of ‘Rebels with a Cause’.

Both our Men and Women's teams are comprised of inspirational role models, our players are drawn from across the World, as well as young players from the Basketball England talent pathway.

The Essex Rebels have also been awarded the 'Best Gameday Experience Award' from basketball's national governing body two years straight.

Learn more about the Essex Rebels teams. 

Essex Rebels)
Essex Rebels

The Tribe

But of course The Blades and The Rebels would be nothing without the backing of the Essex community. The Tribe is the official University of Essex student section bringing student fans together to stand behind all representative sport teams at Essex. The Tribe are proudest, loudest and most inclusive supports club in the UK. You don't need to play to join The Tribe - it's free to join and open to all. Back your team, feel the vibe, join The Tribe.

Students watching a Rebels game wearing black and red Tribe tshirts)
Students watching a Rebels game wearing black and red Tribe tshirts

Green exercise

Take your exercise into the fresh air in our 40 acres of outdoor sport area, including an all-weather tennis court, 18-hole disc golf course, three jogging routes, two rugby pitches, seven football pitches, two cricket squares, four tennis courts, a netball court and an artificial pitch for hockey. If you are looking to take a leisurely stroll, you can just enjoy the 200 acres of scenic parkland around campus (it's even won the Green Flag Award!).

Green exercise at Essex)
Green exercise at Essex

Just Play

If competitive sport isn't your thing, Essex offers the excellent Just Play scheme. Just Play focuses on engaging students from all abilities and backgrounds, with a non-competitive and low commitment sport.

They plan a minimum of two large scale events per term such as gaming days or the Holi Festival. You can always keep up to date with the latest information by searching Just Play on social media. 

Check out some of the action in the video of our Nerf gun wars, hosted on campus by our Student Union's Just Play scheme.

Join us at our next Open Day

We have a Mini Open Day at our Colchester Campus on Saturday 16 November. Book your place to see where you could be calling home, and we'll make sure you have all the information you need to make the most out of your day.

Book your place