Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

of the game away from the more experienced players in a
non-traditional environment. The first four sessions took
place indoors, before moving outside and into a contact
environment when the girls were ready. The result has
been fantastic with 10 new girls joining the rugby club,
almost doubling membership.
Sheffield Hallam University was awarded over £270,000
of funding to get more students playing sport. A survey
of the university’s students was carried out to discover
what sport they were currently doing and what sports
they would like to do. The findings showed that 44 per
cent of students were doing less sport than before they
came to university, but 77 per cent wanted to do more
than they are now. Dan Porter, Head of Sport Services at
Sheffield Hallam, said: “The funding from Sport England
will help us provide even more opportunities for students
to get into a range of sports, some of which they might
never have considered before. Hopefully it will also
lead to continued participation in sport beyond their
university life.” The funding bid was put together by a
partnership between the university, the Students’ Union
and local sport facility providers, who have provided
additional facilities for sport activities to take place.
At Bournemouth University, the ‘Free Your Fitness’
project encourages students to get involved in a wide
range of social and engaging sports or physical activities.
It aims to raise awareness of sport and higher standards
of participation and interest in Olympic endorsed sports.
Developed in partnership with BH Live Trust and National
Governing Bodies of Sport, ‘Free Your Fitness’ will
provide opportunities which are either heavily subsidised
or free. From aerobics to Zumba, in a gym or outdoors,
on land or water - there is something for everyone.
SECTION FOUR : sport development and participation 49