Getting involved at university isn’t just about what happens in lectures or seminars.
For many students, sports clubs and societies become communities: places where friendships form, confidence grows, and support networks can flourish.
Across sports clubs at Newcastle University, students are finding ways to support important social causes while strengthening their sense of community on the pitch, on campus, and beyond.
Collectively, sports clubs raised £57,062.92 for Movember, placing Newcastle seventh across UK universities. But for the students involved, the impact goes far beyond fundraising totals.
While the figure is very impressive, it only tells part of the story.
Movember is about raising awareness of men’s health issues and encouraging conversations that can often be difficult or overlooked, particularly for young men.
As Dan, a Movember Student Ambassador, explains:
“Being part of a sports club can make having those conversations easier. Training, competing, and spending time together creates an environment built on trust and shared experiences — a space where difficult topics can come up naturally, rather than being forced. Since sports clubs already promote physical and mental wellbeing, they’re well placed to encourage more open discussions and support people in looking out for themselves and each other.”
Following their successful fundraising for the Movember Foundation, the Women’s Rugby team wanted to give back without asking friends or family for more donations.
Instead, they decided to give their time.
After brainstorming a few ideas, they landed on a local litter pick, something simple, accessible, and capable of making a visible difference in their community.
The team reached out to Keep Jesmond Clean, who were keen to support the idea. They provided all the equipment, bin bags, pickers, and gloves, and planned a route through Jesmond, making it easy for students to get involved and see the impact of just a few hours’ effort.
Rosie, current president of Newcastle University Women’s Rugby, explained:
“It was really lovely to get to do this outside of rugby training. We advertised it as a sober social, which we try to do bi-monthly. This ensures our club remains socially inclusive to those who don’t drink, and it’s a great opportunity to get to know people on a deeper level.”
The team are already planning to continue volunteering in the new year, with ideas including more local clean-ups, beach cleans, or helping out in a soup kitchen.
Sports clubs aren’t just about competition — they’re communities that connect, support, and give students opportunities to be part of something bigger, both on campus and in the city they call home.
If you want to get involved in your local community, Keep Jesmond Clean support monthly neighbourhood litter picks and can provide all the equipment you need. Get in touch at keepjesmondclean@gmail.com, or follow them on X (Twitter): @KeepJesClean or Facebook for news, meetings and events.
Get involved in sport and exercise at Newcastle. Find out more on the Sport website.