The Athletic Union (AU) is an integral part of the Students’ Union. It has one of the biggest membership bases in the Union and offers anything from your traditional sports, such as Rugby, Football, Hockey and Netball to less traditional alternatives such as Dodgeball, Archery and American Football.

The majority of our clubs compete in the British Universities & Colleges Sport programme (BUCS) on Wednesday afternoons playing either home or away against other University teams from all over the midlands. The AU works with the University to develop and create opportunities in sport as well as promoting TEAM DERBY!

Any University of Derby student can be a member of a sports club by joining the Athletic Union, whether you are trying a sport for the first time or you are an experienced player. Each club trains or meets up every week meaning they are a great way to keep active or just to meet students who all share the same interest.

All of our clubs are run by students for the students, and by being on a club committee you are directly involved in the running of the Athletic Union. If your sport is not included the Athletic Union will do all it can to help you in setting up a new club. The structure of the clubs allows you to be involved as much or as little as you like, so join up at the Students’ Union and make the most of your student life.

Our clubs that are not involved in competition take regular trips out throughout the year. The Athletic Union is here to cater for your sporting needs; whatever they may be the AU will do its upmost to fulfil them.

Alongside the competitive element of the AU comes the social aspect of being a member of the Athletic Union. The AU hosts many events throughout the year including Sports Tour, Varsity vs Lincoln, Old Boys Weekend and the annual AU Awards Dinner. In addition to these events there is the weekly post match night out starting in our Academy Bar, then on to Mukky Duck at Walkabout in the city centre.