Sport
The University of Reading provides excellent sports facilities for the health and well-being of our University and wider community and to ensure the success of our sports clubs. Most of the sports facilities can be found at the SportsPark at the heart of the Whiteknights campus.
SportsPark
The University sports centre is called SportsPark and offers both indoor and outdoor facilities, including:
- 100 station VO2 Fitness Studio
- Large sports hall for badminton, volleyball, 5-a-side, basketball etc.
- 2 specialist studios for dance, martial arts, yoga and Pilates.
- 4 squash courts (incl. 2 championship glass back courts)
- Eat Café
- 3 third generation five-a-side football pitches
- Full size floodlit synthetic turf pitch
- 5 Floodlit tennis and 4 netball courts
- 3 grass tennis courts
- Grass pitches for rugby, football and more
- Floodlit grass training areas
- County standard cricket square
- Synthetic cricket wicket
- Indoor cricket nets
- Sports therapy room
SportsPark is open Monday to Friday 07:00-22:00; Saturday and Sunday 09:00-21:00
VO2 Fitness Studio
The VO2 Fitness Studio is state of the art. Split over two levels, the ground floor houses a reception area for consultations and an extensive range of fixed and functional strength equipment. The first floor boasts a vast range of cardiovascular equipment. Combined, they provide excellent training options for everyone from the novice gym user to the elite athlete. All areas are fully accessible and with two entertainment styles on offer your workout will never feel like a chore. The Cardiotheatre zone, which contains four 42 inch plasma screens showing the latest sports action, music videos, news and entertainment. Alternatively there are integrated viewing screens providing a wider range of viewing options.
Bulmershe Court
Bulmershe Court provides the training base for some of the sports clubs and also hosts some of the matches for the popular Intramural competitions. The facilities consist of a sports hall, gymnasium, hard surfaced tennis courts and grass pitches.
Caversham Boathouse
Olympic medallists James Cracknell MBE, Debbie Flood, Richard Egington and Anna Bebington are all ex-Reading rowers but you don't have to be an elite competitor to take part. Every year many students take up this unique opportunity to try out rowing at the purpose built facility on the River Thames, having never had the chance before.
Wokingham Waterside Centre
Our canoeists are based at this modern facility located on a nearby stretch of the River Thames, providing a great chance to take part in this exciting sport.
How to get involved
Everyone is encouraged to take part in sport at Reading, whether it's casual with your friends at the SportsPark or by joining one of our student sports clubs. Students get discounted and activity prices at the SportsPark.
You can find out more information regarding SportsPark membership on the SportsPark website where all of your options and the prices are clearly explained. You can also avoid the queues at reception by signing up for your membership online. All you need to do is follow the simple registration and payment procedure. Just make sure you remember to bring your Campus Card (formerly the Student Access Card) on your first visit to the SportsPark as this will also become your membership card!
Casual use
Call into the SportsPark and take advantage of some of the fantastic facilities on offer. Choose to train in the gym or play tennis, badminton, squash, basketball or 5-a-side football with your friends. There are loads of activities available all year round.
Exercise Classes
The SportsPark boasts the best selection of drop-in group exercises and dance classes in the area. You can choose from spin, circuits, step, box-fit, Pilates, zumba, salsa, yoga and many, many more. Our timetable offers more than 50 classes every week.
Intramural sport
The SportsPark and RUSU work together to provide an extensive programme of friendly sports competitions for students and staff. These take place throughout the year in both league and tournament format. There is the opportunity for men's, women's or mixed teams to take part in sports such as football, rugby, basketball and badminton.
Sports Federation
There are over 60 sports clubs at the University of Reading, ranging from popular varsity sports like football, rugby, hockey and netball to a number of different martial arts and the more unusual sports such as ultimate frisbee, floorball, clay pigeon shooting and mountaineering. The clubs provide a welcoming environment and encourage everyone to take part in and enjoy their sport to their full potential.
BUCS Competitions
The University enters the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions in many sports, providing you with the opportunity to compete against other further and higher education institutions. Matches or training usually take place on a Wednesday afternoon, with some clubs also training on additional weekday evenings.