Sports Clubs play an important role in the student experience. University is a chance to get involved in and try different activities, which in turn can help students make new and lifelong friends, expand their CV or just carry on their own interests.

We already have a wide range of different sports clubs available at the Students' Union. If there doesn't appear to be a club that takes your fancy, then why not start one of your own?

This is a simple guide to help explain how to form a new club

1. Why become a Union Affiliated Club?

   There are a number of advantages being affiliated to the Union:

   • Maximising the student experience
   • Creating and maximising opportunities for students
   • Ability to book Student Union/University facilities
   • Administrative support (staff and sabbatical)
   • Storage (if necessary)
   • Photocopying (charges to social acc)
   • Promotion on Union website/notice boards/media
   • Telephone (only for club reasons)
   • Pigeon holes
   • Budget allocation
   • Accounts (Budgets/Social)
   • Clothing and equipment through suppliers

2. First things first

   Before deciding to create a new club, find out what the Union already has to offer, as it will not affiliate two clubs that are similar and have the same objectives.

   The next action is to email the Union Sabbatical to let them know that you are expressing an interest in setting up a new club. For Clubs contact Kelvin Browne at aupresident@udsu.co.uk.

3. Form and Membership

   The next and most important part of the process is to collect a 'New Sports Club Form' from the Athletic Union, this can be downloaded online. This form includes contact details, aims and objectives, requirements section and benefits to the Union. This form may take a while to complete but is essential to express your interest and support you reasons for affiliation to the Union.

   Your proposed club must have interest from at least 15 students (10 for Buxton students) at the University. Obviously the more interest that is shown the greater chance there will be of setting up. The interested students must be presented on a form, including names and University ID numbers (Student Number).

4. The Committee

   At least 3 of the prospective members should be prepared to form the committee, who will (if affiliated) run the new club and be responsible for its members. A committee must have the 3 core positions of a President/Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. (Roles and responsibilities of these positions are explained in the Constitution and at the bottom of this page).

5. Getting Affiliated

   Before anything else can happen, the completed form, list of interested members and committee details must get approved by the Athletic Union. At least one committee member should attend this committee meeting to answer any questions and support their case. If this is successful it may then need to go to the Executive Committee of the Union for final acceptance.

6. Affiliated

   Once all of the above have been completed the club can get active. The Athletic Union will require a Constitution (draft available) and signed Terms and Conditions. Also a brief introduction to the Union Policies along with certain committee roles and procedures will need completing

7. Signing up members

   Membership of the Athletic Union must be paid before you can join any club. The cost of this card is £30 for the academic year and entitles you to a number of offers and discounts.

   To then join your chosen club(s) you have to pay the set membership fee per, this varies per club. Students should sign up using an official UDSU Membership Form at the Students' Union Reception.

   The AU President is available to help with any of the above procedures along with Athletic Union staff.