While athletes often take center stage, it’s the people working behind the scenes who truly make the sport happen. Coaches, organisers, officials, volunteers, all play a crucial role in supporting athletes and keeping the game alive. The Playmakers Guide shines a light on these essential contributors, sharing their stories and offering useful advice for anyone interested in getting involved. Whether you want to volunteer, manage events, coach, or support sport in any way, this series gives you an inside perspective on what it takes to keep the game moving.
Running a sports society at a UK university is often one of the most fulfilling, and most chaotic things you can take on as a student. It’s not just about turning up to training or winning matches. It’s about managing funding (or lack of it), coordinating competitions, motivating players, and sometimes having to lead and organise your own friends. There’s a lot more to it than wearing a hoodie with “President” on the back.
The BUCS Side of Things
British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the main framework for competitive student sport in the UK. If your society competes in BUCS, expect weekly fixtures, long away trips, and an avalanche of paperwork. You’ll deal with athlete eligibility, facility bookings, last-minute dropouts, and university admin.. all before your lecture even starts.
But BUCS isn’t the only option. Many student sports societies join local leagues, friendlies, or tournaments outside the BUCS system, which can be a more accessible alternative, especially for newer or underfunded clubs.
Funding Gaps And the Unis That Get Left Behind
Not every university has the budget- or the interest, to fund student sport. While institutions like Loughborough or Bath treat sport as a cornerstone of student life, smaller or creative-focused unis often don’t. If you’re at a university like AUB (Arts University Bournemouth), UAL, or similar arts institutions, it’s likely your society runs with no direct financial support. That means everything from kits to court time may come out of your members’ own pockets or through fundraising.
This imbalance doesn’t just make things harder- it creates barriers to access. Some students simply can’t afford to participate, and that’s a problem the wider system hasn’t fixed.
The Committee Conundrum
Being on a committee sounds official but in reality, it can mean refereeing disputes in the group chat and reminding your teammates to pay subs for the third time. It’s especially tough when your teammates are also your friends. Drawing the line between being part of the group and managing it is a challenge. You’ll have to make decisions that not everyone agrees with, handle conflict, and push through when no one wants to take training seriously in week nine of term.
But there’s growth in that. Learning to lead peers, organise under pressure, and work as part of a small committee teaches a skillset that goes far beyond sport.
Tips for Surviving (and Thriving)
• Start with structure – Create calendars, delegate roles early, and keep clear records (especially for finances).
• Know your university – Get familiar with your Students’ Union or activities team. They may not offer funding, but they can help with logistics or approvals.
• Be realistic – Don’t burn out trying to turn your society into a pro club overnight. Focus on consistency.
• Use social media – It’s free, easy promotion and helps you recruit, build community, and even attract sponsors.
• Make space for fun – Sport at uni should be competitive, but also social and inclusive. Make sure there’s space for all levels of involvement.
Why It’s Still Worth It
Running a sports society is exhausting, unpredictable, and usually unpaid, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do during your degree. Whether you’re leading a rugby first team or keeping a badminton club alive with one weekly booking, you’re part of something bigger. You’re helping build community, create opportunity, and give other students the chance to show up, play, and belong.
That’s no small thing.
Useful Resources for Uni Sports Societies
BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport)
Official body for university sport in the UK. Offers fixtures, regulations, and support for clubs.
Club Matters (Sport England)
Practical guidance on running clubs, covering finance, governance, volunteering, and more.
Sported
Supports grassroots sports groups with toolkits, funding advice, and mentoring.
Students’ Union
Often provides templates, budgeting tools, event planning support, and leadership training.
Do-It.org
Helps societies find volunteers for events or committee roles.
Student Sport Networks by Nation
- Scottish Student Sport: scottishstudentsport.com
- Welsh Student Sport: welshstudentsport.com
- Student Sport NI: studentsportni.org
OpenLearn (Open University)
Free sport, fitness, and coaching courses to help upskill student leaders.
