Starting a New Sports Club

The Students' Union provides many opportunities for you to participate and compete in a wide variety of sports while you are at university in partnership with the sports department, Sport Swansea. With 55+ sports clubs for you to choose from and links to other clubs across Swansea, 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. 

If, however, you spot a sport that we don't currently offer, this article will tell you about the process of starting a new club.

How to Apply to Create a New Sports Club 

Your first step should be to review the criteria below to ensure your activity meets the below criteria. If your proposed club meets this criteria then you should submit a written application before one of the two annual deadlines. (20/12 and 01/06 of each academic year). 

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

• A duplication of an existing sports club 
• If the sports cannot be insured through our public liability insurance 
• If the proposed activities might bring the University or Union into disrepute 
• 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 (e.g. equipment) to ensure compliance with minimum safety standards 

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

Minimum Requirements: 

• Has a recognised National Governing Body 
• There is proven demand for the club 
• There are enough members to form a committee (at least Club Captain/President, Treasurer and Secretary) 
• The club can be sustainable financially (we would expect you show that you can operate without any funding for the first year as there is very limited funding available). A club budget outline for example. 
• The club can be sustainable operationally (are there non-final-year members on committee to take the club forward after the first year etc.) 
• Completion of a club constitution after the first year and production of a risk assessment before activity begins. 

Optional requirements: 

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

Your application will be considered by Sport Swansea and the Students’ Union, and you will be informed of the outcome shortly after the application deadline. We will let you know what to do from there. More information may be requested from you.

Accepted Clubs 

Accepted clubs will then receive: 

• Access to the Freshers Fayre 
• Access to Club Committee Training 
• Access to Sport Swansea and Students’ Union staff support 
• Club bank account 
• Club website page 
• Ability to represent Swansea University in competitions 
• Access to Students’ Union Room Bookings 
• Access to the Sport Awards Dinner 
• Ability to apply for Sport Swansea funding (after year one) 

If you would like to start the process of applying to start a new sports club, please complete the application form here - Apply to start a new sports club.