Speakers
Description
From 2011 to 2014 Sport England invested £8 million in the Active Universities programme. The aim was to maintain sporting habits and encourage a healthy lifestyle among the student population. This programme supported 41 projects and the subsequent evaluation reports pointed to methods which could enhance a more inclusive university sports culture. While the three-year investment programme enjoyed some clear success at the time, this research seeks to explore the extent to which programmes can be sustained once funding is complete. This paper will report the findings of a qualitative research project conducted in 2018 to 2019 involving in-depth interviews with twelve university students and seven staff from two UK universities (both had benefitted from the Active University Funding). The research explores how students have experienced sporting activity and culture as part of their university community. The findings give an insight into the significance of support mechanisms, social networks and role of students themselves in leading and promoting positive sporting and physical activity cultures within the university setting. This research may be helpful for academics, universities and student unions who have an interest in reducing drop out and encouraging active lifestyles among university students.
