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Sport and Recreation Clubs

30 January 2024

Joining a sports or social club is a great way to meet new, like-minded friends. UC has a range of sport clubs to cater for different levels, from social to competitive. Check out our sport and recreation clubs.

HOW TO APPLY

Joining a sports or social club is a great way to meet new, like-minded friends. At UC, we have a range of sport clubs that cater to different levels, from social through competitive. 

Interested in joining a sports club at UC? Below is a list of all the sport clubs available at UC. Please contact the clubs you're interested in directly, using the contact info below. If you need further assistance, please click the link below. 

UC Amateur Sports Society (UCASS) is passionate about three things: socialising, sport, and a little more socialising. We are the only sports club at UC that fundamentally endorses not being good at sport. At UCASS, it’s not about winning or losing; it’s about getting out, meeting people, getting stuck into some sporting activity and having buckets of fun. We live by the motto ‘being a pro is overrated’.

Social Sports 

UCASS is honoured to run the weekly Social Sports Leagues in collaboration with our good friends UC Rec & Sport. We offer a whole range of sports like futsal, netball, basketball, touch and ultimate frisbee at student-friendly prices. The leagues are open to all skill levels, so whether you’re a first-year athlete keen to continue their fitness ascension or a fourth-year looking to dust off the boots and relive the glory days, social sport will get you on your feet and having a good time. UCASS members also receive FREE signup to a sport of their choice!

Events

UCASS also runs large-scale, sporting-themed events. We aim to run 1-2 per term. Events include Soap Football (tarpaulins, dishwashing liquid, goal at each end, you get the gist), 3v3 Basketball Tournaments, and an annual Flat Crawl. We offer great opportunities to meet new people and get stuck into the university culture.

Find out more

UC Athletics caters for athletes of all abilities, from the weekend casual runner to the world class!

Relays and team running

UC Athletics puts a big emphasis on relays and running as a team. UC Athletics currently has a great depth of talent throughout all age groups, which has seen members dominate recent distance events throughout Canterbury and NZ.

UC Athletics aims to foster and encourage all athletes to reach realise their full athletic potential. Current members are enthusiastic and ready to share their passion for Athletics!

Coaches and training

UC Athletics has experienced and successful coaches for all events and distances, regular social runs and events, and a large variety of group training sessions for all ages.

Find out more

The University of Canterbury Badminton Club (UCanBC) cater to all skill levels from beginners to competitive. They have a BWF certified coach with sports science background that can help with your questions about the game or fitness tips. Membership fee includes a minimum of playing once a week at the club sessions where everything is provided (i.e. shuttles, racquet).

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The UC Basketball Club is one of the biggest basketball clubs in Canterbury. UC Basketball caters for both social and competitive level men and women players alike. 

Trials

Trials are held each year in February. Teams are comprised of a mix of current UC students, graduates, and non-students. Men who are unable to find a place in a team are encouraged to participate in UC Basketball Leagues.

Find out more

Canterbury University Boardriders Association (CUBA) isn't just a board riders club, it's for everyone who is remotely interested in any of the sports (fun) CUBA partakes in. CUBA plans to offer Learn to surf/skate/ski days and have a variety of social events (read epic parties!) to share their stoke for all things board related.

Competitions

For the more experienced riders CUBA runs ski, skate and surf comps, in addition CUBA also help to run the Uni Ski Games where they compete primarily with Otago Uni for a week in the holidays.

In all CUBA is a great club to join regardless of your board riding abilities.

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The University of Canterbury Canoe Club (UCCC) run weekly rolling sessions that you can access as easily as signing up for the club and checking your emails. The club also run beginner trips for you to come along and learn how to kayak!

The club has gear available to hire if you already have some skills and want to come and show them off! 

Find out more

UCheer are a competitive cheerleading club that work to bring cheerleading to a wider audience. They have a competitive team that travels to competitions and a more social side of the club. The club caters for a diverse range of people, ranging from those who have never been acrobatic to retired gymnasts and dancers. People of all skill levels are welcome to come and give it a go.

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The UC Climbing Club offers climbing opportunities for climbers of all abilities, whether you're looking to try climbing for the first time, or have been climbing for years. UC Climbing is about all things climbing, from bouldering to multipitch trad routes.

Climbing trips

UC Climbing organises many trips each year, such as overnight bouldering at Castle Hill, and has special deals with the UC RecCentre and The Ro Climbing Centre to keep you climbing when it's raining.

Find out more

The Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club (BWCUCC) is a proud cricket club with a rich history, and has been a home for many successful Canterbury and New Zealand cricketers. Burnside prides itself on its strong club atmosphere, and provides opportunities for all cricketers.

Whether you are after social and/or friendly Cricket, or more competitive and professional level Circket, Burnside can find a place for you in one of their many teams.

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UC Bike is for anyone keen on riding bikes, in particular those interested in mountain biking and road cycling. UC Bike also caters for triathletes who are interested in training along other road cyclists.

Members range from the competitive to the recreational. You can rest assured that you'll get plenty of riding time organised with weekly and monthly group rides, and biking trips outside of Christchurch.

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The UC Fencing Club (UCFC) is all about learning the ancient art of fencing in a fun social environment with a few coffees and beers along the way. UCFC has an extreme range of talent, from complete beginners, to top 3 Fencers in New Zealand. Therefore, regardless of ability, everyone involved will be able to find good bouts.

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UC Football provides Football (soccer) development and playing opportunities at a range of levels, from social football, to premier football in the Mainland Football Competition.

UC Football is one of the largest senior clubs in the Mainland Football Competition, represented by multiple Men's and Women's teams from the Premier League down to social grades. 

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UC Hockey has over 90 years of experience in providing and supporting UC Hockey players. Players enjoy the commitment of quality coaching, like-minded peers, a socially active club, and competitive playing opportunities.

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Chan's Martial Arts - Kung-Fu and Tai Chi (CMA Kung-Fu)

Kung-Fu is designed around being stress free and effective self defense. CMA Kung-Fu teach a wide variety of techniques from kicks, strikes to wrist locking and throws.

Tai Chi is designed around balance and relaxation. CMA Kung-Fu teach exercises and forms that help the students relax physically and mentally for health and then as a Martial Art.

CMA Kung-Fu's parent School is based in Christchurch (where the CMA Kung-Fu Grandmaster teaches) so we are very close to the right information.

Find out more

The UC Netball is one of the larger senior netball clubs in the Christchurch netball competition, with teams competing accross grades ranging from Premier through to more social grades.

Social Netball on Campus

Like UC Sport Competitions to stay up to date with registrations for UC Rec & Sport's Social Netball Competition on campus.

Find out more

The University of Canterbury Rowing Club is a 100% student owned and operated club that competes annually at the National University Championships.
We offer novice (new to rowing), social and competitive training programs that begin during Semester 1 of each academic year and send a full squad to the uni champs each year.
We also have a multitude of social events throughout the year, which any member is welcome to attend. Some say we spend more time partying than we do rowing.
We are an offical club that is part of the UCSA clubs roster and are also recognised as an incorporated rowing club by the Rowing NZ body (that means you can race at Club Nationals for UCRC).

The University of Canterbury Rugby Football Club (UCRFC) is steeped in history with the first team donning the mighty Maroon and Gold 129 years ago. The club has developed into an open club serving not only all tertiary students and associates but interested sports persons and families; a club experienced in catering for students away from home, with mentoring, support, understanding and a campus-centred, welcoming clubrooms.

The UCRFC is situated on Ilam Fields right next to the main UC campus, and its facilities are used to host teams competing in a range of Metro Competitions, including: Senior Men's (Divs 1, 2, and 3), Women's, Premier Colts, and Colts Reserve.

The Club’s mission is to offer students and other interested individuals the opportunity to play rugby at a level they aspire to. To ensure they are properly coached and managed so that they can do so in a safe caring environment where self respect and taking part are valued as much as being successful.

Find out more

The Canterbury University Snow Sports Club (CUSSC) aims to provide students with the opportunity to have fun in the mountains Skiing and Snowboarding with their peers.

CUSSC run events throughout the year, both in town, and at the CUSSC's own field in Arthur's Pass, which has its own lodge where members can stay a night or two to save driving to the field each day. CUSSC also arrange carpooling to the mountains each weekend.

Find out more

UC has reestablished their Squash club in 2021 to provide opportunities for students and the local community to play Squash in a fun and positive environment.

They hold club nights and social tournaments so everyone can improve their squash game! They also run training sessions for anyone interested in learning the basics of the game.

Squash courts are available for hire at the UC RecCentre, with free hire of sqush rackets and balls. If you hire before 3pm daily you'll get to play for free.

Find out more

The University of Canterbury Table Tennis Club is a newly formed club on campus.

Find out more

The UC Tennis Club is a space for everyone to come and play some tennis. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played professionally or never at all. As long as you want to play the great sport that is tennis you’re welcome. We have weekly social nights, 6-8pm Thursdays at Burnside Tennis Club and 3-5pm Sundays at Avonhead Tennis Club. Free for members and $5 for non-members. We are currently organising an annual competition series with the Otago University Tennis Association that will kick off in October with plans for more inter-university competitions in the future. We also offer private and group coaching for anyone who would like it.

Find out more

The Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC) has been out and about since the 1930s, helping and encouraging people to get out into the hills. Now as the LARGEST sports club on campus they are doing better than ever!
Whether you’re into tramping, mountaineering, conservation, trail running, partying in the bush (or all of the above), CUTC is the club for you. With trips heading out every weekend, what could be better!

They have weekly meetings (during term time), with speakers, games, movies. Club members can also rent gear from the CUTC locker.

Find out more

The University of Canterbury Ultimate Club (UCUC) is the most fun you can possibly have with a round piece of plastic! No matter what you’re looking for in a club, UCUC can provide, and we have a huge focus on Spirit, so the vibes are always immaculate. Looking for a super social crowd to hang out with and make some awesome friends? Serious about ultimate and want to take your game to the next level? Want a super exciting, fun way to get your fitness up? We’ve got all this and more! We train at 6:30pm on Tuesdays at Ilam Fields with heaps of leagues, tournaments and social events throughout the year to keep you busy with frisbee, and there are plenty of opportunities to travel the country to social or competitive tournaments with affiliations to the wider New Zealand Ultimate communities.

Find out more

The Christchurch Underwater Hockey Club is a local club affiliated to the UCSA.

Underwater Hockey is a great sport if you love to swim, and since you play on the bottom of the pool it is a great team sport too. Two teams of six players use small sticks to push a puck into the opposition’s goal bin. Christchurch Underwater Hockey is open to players of all levels, with both beginner and experienced leagues.

What to bring: togs and towel, and if you have it bring gear such as a mask, snorkel and fins. The club has gear to borrow if you need it, just make sure to turn up early to get fitted.

First session is free - come have a go!

Find out more

UC Gymsoc encourages a safe and positive gym culture at UC, Promoting a healthy mental and physical lifestyle achieved through physical activity. They provide members with advice, support and the means to achieve their goals in the gym, Creating a community for connecting people, sharing knowledge and improving one's wellbeing.

Find out more

YogaSoc was founded in 2014 with the goal of introducing as many people as possible to yoga, and connecting the rapidly growing yoga community at UC. We provide fun non-alcoholic events which focus on mental and physical wellness.

Find out more

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