Student Blog | Benefits of joining a sports team at Bournemouth University

Captain of the Women’s Rugby Team at BU, Tiegan Rider, shares the benefits of joining a sports team whilst at university from building connections and making friends to supporting her wellbeing. 

Joining the Women’s Rugby Team at Bournemouth University has been one of the most rewarding parts of my three years as a student — it has offered a unique set of benefits that go far beyond the pitch, most importantly, the sense of community at SportBU.

Starting University can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re away from home for the first time. I found that by joining the women’s Rugby team instantly connected me with a group of people who share a common interest. Within the first few months of starting my degree in 2022, my team and I trained together, played together, and frequently socialised together, forming close friendships that I will take forward into my postgraduate life.

Secondly, being part of a sports team massively benefited my mental health throughout stressful and challenging semesters. Rugby is a demanding sport that builds strength, endurance, and coordination. My experience of the regular training and matches kept me active and healthy, further supporting the stress of academic life.

Beyond physical fitness, committing to the rugby training sessions positively supported my mental well-being. The focus, discipline, and team environment I experienced at BUWRFC was a powerful counterbalance to academic pressure, improving my resilience and confidence over the 3 years.

Thirdly, TeamBU helped with my time management and discipline. Balancing rugby with my degree taught me time management, commitment, and discipline. Regular training sessions and match days required planning and accountability — skills that directly translated to my academic studies and my future professional success.

Being part of BUWRFC also offered opportunities for leadership and growth. SportBU often provided opportunities to take on leadership roles, whether it was as a captain, coach, or social event organiser. These positions helped me to develop my communication, problem-solving, and leadership abilities — all valuable assets on my CV and in life post-university. For example, I was lucky enough to gain captaincy in my final year of playing rugby for university, and it had been one of the most incredible journeys and opportunities so far!

BUWRFC hugely benefited my social life and networking at Bournemouth University. Whether it was team dinners, charity events, or post-match socials, rugby created a strong sense of belonging. These connections with my teammates extend beyond university now that we have finished our studies, creating a powerful alumni network that will open doors to my future career and sporting opportunities.

Overall, joining BUWRFC meant more to me than just playing a sport — it opened up a community, built lifelong skills, and allowed me to make the most of my university experience. Whether you’re chasing trophies or just looking for a supportive and fun group to be part of, rugby has something to offer everyone.

Throughout my rugby journey, I have been lucky enough to train and play internationally, representing my country and I strongly believe that without the support from the sporting team and my teammates, I would not have been half as successful!

Whether you are interested in joining a sports club or society here at BU, there are plenty of ways to meet new people or perhaps even learn something new!