Award recognises University’s outstanding contribution towards improving physical activity

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), the national governing body of university sport, has presented the University of Derby with a Physical Activity Excellence Award (PAEA).

The award, currently held by just 17 UK universities, recognises the University’s outstanding contribution towards encouraging physical activity in the university sector and its commitment to providing an inclusive sporting programme. Assessment is across four pillars: strategy and planning; insight and research; partnerships and collaboration; and implementation and delivery.

Ollie Shearer, Director of Campus Life and Student Living at the University of Derby, said:

“We are incredibly proud to achieve this award, which recognises the Sport and Physical Activity team’s hard work and collaborative approach to improving access to physical activity and sport for everyone at the University.

“This award sets the standard for universities, and I’d like to thank every member of the team and wider university community who has made this possible.”

The University offers a wide range of sporting activities for all abilities. Its sport and gym facilities at its Kedleston Road site are open to staff, students and the local community, and include a climbing wall, squash and tennis courts and fitness studios as well as a fully-equipped gym. The Union of Students supports over 30 student clubs, providing opportunities to play competitive and recreational sport.

There are a variety of schemes on offer to encourage all staff and students to get active. These include:

• Just Play, a social sport programme providing weekly opportunities to get active in a fun environment with no commitment
• Just Move, a digital challenges tool
• Get Active events, a programme of themed participation events for students and staff
• Football League, a termly six-a-side fixture programme for students
• Halls Sport, friendly inter-halls tournaments and leagues offering students living in University halls of residence the chance to compete in various sports across the academic year

The University conducts sector-leading sport and exercise-related research investigating the impact, implementation and measurement of physical activity and its relationship with health and rehabilitation. This research has been rated as ‘internationally excellent’ in the most recent Research Excellence Framework. Academics work alongside students in the Human Performance Unit, which provides expert sports science services to sports clubs and individual athletes at all levels.

The strength of academic expertise in Sport is reflected in the wide range of sport-related courses that the University offers at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including Sport Management, Sport Coaching and Development, and Clinical Exercise Science.  

Find out more about studying at the University of Derby.