DCU Sports Clubs: Precious experience for just €4

BY M. MIYAMURA 

DCU Women’s won CUSAI 2012 by J. Parra

DCU provides an array of opportunities for sport and we ensure that joining DCU clubs is an enjoyable and memorable experience. If you find difficulty in making new friends, don’t worry! There are only two things you have to do, prepare 4 EURO, and register for the club you choose. “So, how to register?” you may ask. Annually in the Hub, as soon as the semester starts, there is a Clubs and Societies Week. Here Clubs showcase themselves and can register you directly. If you can’t make it, there’s no need to panic. Clubs can be contacted year round at the web page for Club and Society Registration. Just don’t forget, as mentioned, it costs 4 EURO for registrations per a club.

The DCU Sports Expo is held every November. It is another good opportunity to get to know all things sport in DCU. For example, you can spectate at the spectacular freestyle football exhibition, try some exciting sports activities and have the chance to draw for free sports gym memberships and other prizes. It’s a great opportunity to both understand DCU sports clubs and learn about the ranger of facilities there are in DCU.

We often hear Irish students say that DCU is very big on sports and actually there are 47 clubs in DCU currently in March 2012. Most of the DCU sports clubs train and compete in the Sports Complex and the Sports Grounds near DCU. They receive financial support from DCU students’ levy. Clubs are student-run and student-led so the level of the practice is very flexible whether you want to play sports seriously or not!

There are some intervarsity competitions in Ireland where DCU teams and individuals compete against other Irish Universities. For example, one of the most popular competitions in Ireland is what is called CUSAI league. CUSAI stands for the Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland. Every year each Irish University enters fierce competition to win the league. In short, once you join sports clubs, you will find plenty of opportunities to get involved in fantastic sports competitions! DCU has an excellent record in a variety of such sports competitions. Whether popularity and records are related to or not, we would like to highlight some famous DCU clubs.

Students playing soccer at DCU Court by M. Miyamura

• Soccer  Obviously, Soccer is one of the most popular and exciting sports all over the world and it is the same in DCU. Most of the members are Irish and this means good opportunities not only for playing soccer but also making real Irish friends. It is said that soccer club is the largest club in DCU. Thus the club is divided into Men and Ladies. DCU Ladies recently won the first prize for the WSCAI, which stands for Women’s Soccer Colleges Association of Ireland, national futsal cup on January 2012. You can check the time schedule and details on the web site above. 

• Ultimate  Some of you may not know what Ultimate is. Briefly, Ultimate is a fast-moving, exciting sport played with a flying disc. If you want to know this sport more, it is better to join DCU Ultimate! There are relatively more opportunities for competition than any other DCU sports clubs, for example, Belfast Ultimate. According to the Ultimate web page, the training is held every Thursday and Friday at 5-6pm in the Main Hall, Tuesday at 7-8pm in 7-a-side.

• Yoga Yoga Society is highly recommended for women who haven't had much exercise these days. Yoga can be relaxing, and good for your health. Through the classes in the Interfaith Centre twice a week, you feel refreshed in body and spirit. Even beginners can feel the benefits soon under the instruction of qualified instructors. Remember that you will pay 3 to 4 EURO per one lesson. Periodically Yoga Society presents a Yoga workshop, so you had better turn up regularly to learn effectively.

Obviously, there are various attractive clubs in DCU apart from the clubs mentioned above. DCU Fencing club is well known for its powerful team. DCU Women’s Volleyball Team became CUSAI league champion 2012. If you love the outdoors, Hiking, Rock Climbing, and Caving clubs are highly recommended. Since you are in Ireland, you cannot miss Gaelic football and Hurling clubs, being as they are, the traditional and national sports. In addition, most of the clubs have their own Facebook pages so it also helps to check them out for an insight into DCU clubs. Hope you can find the best club for you and have a great craic!