This Month with Team UOP - September

Welcome to Team UOP, and the first of my updates

Each month, we want to guide you through what has happened over the last month. What you can look forward to next month, and what's been going on in the background to make Team UOP run smoothly.

Freshers Fayre highlights  

Our first big event of the year did not disappoint!  Over 10,000 students attended Freshers’ Fayre across both days, with almost 5,000 stepping through Ravelin’s doors. The atmosphere was incredible - buzzing with excitement, energy, and opportunities to try something new. 

Hopefully, you had the chance to chat to a few of our sports clubs, grab some freebies, and perhaps sign up to try something new. 

We asked a few clubs to describe their Freshers’ Fayre experience in a few words: 

• Athletics: “Energetic, social, rewarding” 

• Lacrosse: “Fun, welcoming, positive” 

• Hockey: “Freshers’ Fayre was very successful for us! We’ve seen some great talent this year and can’t wait for the season ahead.” 

Give Me Sport  

As September came to a close, Give Me Sport gave everyone the chance to try something new and get a taste of club life. Across a four-day weekend (and a few extra days after), all 34 Team UOP sports clubs offered tasters and trials for new and returning students. 

In total, 2,500 students joined in - trying new sports, meeting teammates, and having fun! 

Our clubs’ take on GMS was:  

• Badminton: "Entertaining, informative, and exciting"  

• Climbing: "Belays, boulders, and big smiles" 

• Sailing: "Wind-less, splashy, fun" 

Committee training and Sports day  

At the start of the year, we held our annual Committee Sports Day. It was amazing to see so many of our committee members come together for an afternoon of games and teamwork to help them all get to know each other before we kicked off the new year. 

The day started with some quick icebreakers and group activities, where everyone was mixed into twelve teams. We did this to encourage people from different clubs and societies to work together and get to know each other. We kicked off with a series of light-hearted races, including egg and spoon, basketball dribbling, and relay challenges that brought out plenty of competitive energy.  

After the races, we moved into a dodgeball tournament, which quickly became the highlight of the day. The energy in the hall was brilliant, and it was great to see everyone cheering each other on and properly getting involved and mixing with students from other clubs.  

We wrapped up with a short awards presentation to celebrate our winners and recognise everyone’s effort and enthusiasm. A big thank you to the Exec team and volunteers from Sport and Rec who helped run the event it wouldn’t have been possible without you. 

Overall, Committee Sports Day 2025 was a fantastic success and a great reminder of what makes the University of Portsmouth community so special - teamwork, positivity, and a shared love of sport. I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone can accomplish this year! 

Andrew Servaes  

Team UOP Events Officer 

Committee Training Week

Following Sports Day, all Team UOP committees attended the Committee Training Week - a series of workshops designed to help committees develop new skills, plan events, and support their members.

Sessions included:

• Being an Active Bystander

• Mental Health in Sport

• Event Planning

It was a fantastic week full of idea-sharing, learning, and connecting with other committees across Team UOP.

What’s Next?

The BUCS season is officially underway, and the membership deadline is fast approaching!

• Deadline for competitive memberships: Sunday 12 October 2025

• Deadline for all other club memberships: Friday 31 October 2025

Get your Sports club membership online or at Ravelin reception

Between now and Tuesday 14 October, clubs will also be holding their Expectations Meetings - a great chance to learn more about how your club runs, its philosophy, and what’s ahead for the year. Get in touch with your club to find out when yours is happening!

Girls’ Night Returns - Friday 24 October

Get ready - Girls’ Night is back at Ravelin Sports Centre! It’s open to anyone who identifies as a woman, including trans women, non-binary, and anyone who feels aligned with womanhood. Girls' Night is open to students, university staff and community members aged 16 and over. 

You’ll find club-led taster sessions, fitness classes, workshops, and even a friendship bracelet station. Whether you’re trying a sport for the first time or joining friends for a workout, Girls’ Night is all about celebrating women in sport and encouraging confidence through movement - we hope to see you there!

Black History Month

October marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements, culture, and contributions of Black people throughout history - and to continue challenging racism and inequality.

You can get involved by:

• Attending events across the University of Portsmouth

• Supporting Black-owned businesses and charities

• Learning more about Black history and culture

Together, let’s keep building an inclusive and supportive Team UOP community.