Clubs & Teams

Airsoft

Airsoft is a growing sport which involves teams participating in elimination games by tagging out opposing players with plastic projectiles shot with mock air weapons called airsoft guns.

American Football

The University of Sunderland American Football Club is one of our ever-growing clubs who currently train at Farringdon Academy and Monkton Stadium. They currently compete in the BUCS 2B Northern League as well as the BUCS Cup.

The club cater for all levels of ability so don’t worry if you’ve never played before! We also provide all the equipment and pads you’ll need to get started.

Archery

Archery is one of our biggest clubs at the university and they train at Houghton Archers.

A successful and exciting club they cater for all, from beginners to elite and offer the opportunity to compete in a wide range of university competitions throughout the year including BUCS and NEUAL (North East University Archery League)

Athletics

The University of Sunderland Athletics club offer training to athletes of all levels & ability through circuit, weight, track and general fitness. It’s a great way to improve your fitness in a fun environment.

Our Athletics club has a partnership with a local club Sunderland Harriers offering members the opportunity to train with high quality coaches and training groups.

Badminton

The University of Sunderland Badminton Club is one of our ever growing clubs who has celebrated many successes over the past couple of years including league titles as well as individuals qualifying to compete at BUCS Nationals.

Basketball

The City of Sunderland has a long-standing passion for basketball. Featuring as one of the University’s main pathway sports, the basketball provision at Sunderland is one of the most extensive in the UK and provides opportunities for beginner, casual, club and performance players.

Boxing

Boxing is a new club for Team Sunderland with recently developed links with MF Boxing Academy allowing members to train in a specialist environment with trained coaches.

As a Boxing Club member you are able to compete in numerous events including the prestigious BUCS Boxing Championships.

Cheerleading

Cheerleading is made up of many different elements such as dance, tumbles, stunts and jumps. No experience is necessary to join the team, Sunderland Stars welcome all abilities.

It’s a great way to keep fit, boost confidence and also make new friends! Not only do Stars compete at annual varsity competitions but they also have a Nationals event in February as well as other potential competitions over the year.

Climbing

Our Climbing club are a growing group of like minded members with a passion for the sport.

As a relatively new club many members are beginners and welcome anybody to join regardless of previous experience.

With weekly sessions at Sunderland Climbing Wall as well as access to the climbing wall in CitySpace there's plenty of scope to improve your skills.

Cricket

The University of Sunderland Cricket club currently competes in the BUCS North Division in both the indoor and outdoor leagues against other universities from across the country. 

The club train throughout the academic year and currently play their matches at Seaham Harbour Cricket Club.

Dance

If you’re interested in any form of dance then come along and join the University of Sunderland Dance club, you don’t need to have any prior experience and everyone is welcome and given the opportunity to compete.

We offer different styles of dance, which include ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, flexibility and technique, and street.

Equestrian

The equestrian club is open to riders of all abilities, including those who have never ridden before.

Riding lessons are currently available at East Boldon Riding Centre and spaces each term can be limited so join early to avoid disappointment.

Esports

Team Sunderland Esports Club is one of our newest clubs and allows students the opportunity to train, socialise and compete on a variety of different consoles and games.

Fencing

The fencing programme has many different opportunities for students to get involved with the sport. It has a team competition which is a part of the leagues and knockouts.

The national league concludes its knockout series at BUCS Big Wednesday. For those students who want to compete as individual competitions, this is a part of the Nationals held in February. 

Football

Football is currently the biggest club at the University of Sunderland with four men’s teams as well as one women’s team.

Football caters for all abilities from beginners to elite and offer the opportunity to compete in the BUCS North Division. We have a team of professional coaches in place to assist with all levels of training and coaching throughout all teams, with a clear structure for player development and progression.

Futsal

Futsal is becoming a bigger club every year at the University of Sunderland with three BUCS teams and two National League teams currently available for males and females.

We have a team of professional coaches in place to assist with all levels of training and coaching throughout all teams, with a clear structure for player development and progression.

Golf

There are lots of ways to get involved in golf at the University of Sunderland, no matter which level you play at.

Golf is a mixed programme with both individual stroke play events (forming the BUCS Golf Tour) and team match play leagues throughout the season. 

Handball

Handball is one of our newest clubs and is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team. A standard match consists of two periods of 30 minutes, and the team that scores more goals wins.

Hockey

From beginners to elite our Hockey provision aims to offer the opportunity to compete in a wide range of university competitions throughout the year including BUCS, Varsity and Clash of the Minsters.

Karate

The University of Sunderland Karate Club offer a wide range of opportunities for anyone wishing to get involved, all abilities are welcome from beginner to elite. Our partnership with Sunderland City Club Sendai Kushiro Karate means classes are available for all levels from those just starting out in Karate, advanced classes, ladies only classes and competition classes. 

The club competes at various competitions throughout the year the main event being BUCS Nationals which is held in Sheffield every February.

Martial Arts

We offer access to a range of Martial Arts as part of Team Sunderland. 

We also support individuals with entry to competitions including BUCS championships.

Netball

Our Netball club is one of our biggest clubs and is also one of our proudest as they regularly raise money for local charities. We currently have 3 teams that compete in BUCS but we are always aiming to add more.

The Netball club is also one of the most sociable club as they regularly spend time doing team bonding sessions and taking part in challenges. The club is open to members of all abilities and beginners.

Rowing

The Rowing club is a dedicated club who spend a lot of their time on the River Wear or in the CitySpace gym.

With link to Sunderland Rowing Club the team regularly attends competitions and always challenges some of the top universities in the country. The rowing club is growing and is open to any and all abilities.

Rugby Union

We have Men’s and Women’s Rugby Union teams who represent Team Sunderland in BUCS

The club trains and plays their home fixtures at Houghton Rugby Club, access to a local club’s facilities really makes you feel part of a community. 

We cater to all abilities whether you’re new to the sport or a rugby regular we have space for you to thrive and learn to become a better player.

Snowsports

With access to the only dry slope in the North East of England plus opportunity for lessons or race training taking part in skiing or snowboarding has never been easier.

As two of the most popular sports in the Winter Olympics skiing & snowboarding is an adrenaline rush of a sport to get into and really challenge yourself. 

Scuba Diving

Sunderland Scuba Centre normally offer the PADI Open Water course for £395 however, with financial assistance from both the Centre and the University of Sunderland, the cost for current students is only £95.

Swimming

Team Sunderland swimming club welcomes members of all standards and abilities.

The BUCS team trains on a weekly basis and enters swimmers in to the national level BUCS competitions as well as competing in varsity events.

In addition we are also offering 'Learn to Swim' sessions for beginners.

Table Tennis

Team Sunderland’s offers Table Tennis sessions for people of all abilities and experience.

The team competes in the BUCS league against other university sides in the region offering opportunities for players to play both singles and doubles.

Tennis

Tennis at Team Sunderland provides a range of activities for players of all levels of ability.

The Men’s team compete in BUCS leagues and competitions and there are also sessions for both beginners and for those who would just like to improve their game.

Volleyball

After gaining significant exposure across the UK in recent years, volleyball is now very strong across the North East, and the University of Sunderland has become a hub in the area housing a number of participation, competition and performance programmes.

We currently have a Men's and Women's team competing in the BUCS league and teams in the National League.