A complete guide to sports societies at Edinburgh Napier

Happy refreshers, and welcome to Edinburgh for all our exchange students. The start of a new semester is the perfect time to broaden your horizons and try out a new society. This is your guide to the sports clubs at Edinburgh Napier University.

1085 members make up the 31 sports clubs at Napier, which all offer varying levels of activity and social events. We asked each of the clubs what they were about. As well as any exciting events they have coming up in the upcoming semester so you don’t miss out.

The clubs with a heavy social scene

Unsurprisingly the front runners of this category are our WhyNot warriors. That includes cheerleading, netball, rugby (men’s and women’s) and dance. So if you need an excuse to go to Love Wednesday every week… these are the clubs for you. However, each of these clubs is very much work hard, play hard, and takes training almost as seriously as partying. Netball and men’s rugby also proudly take the spot of the biggest sports clubs at Napier with 94 and 83 members, respectively.

WhyNot at 12 am, competition at 9 am.

Clubs such as snowsports and surf find themselves relatively far away from their natural habitats here in the city, and so these are great societies to join if you are more in it for socials with like-minded people. Both of these societies also arrange annual trips to get a bit closer to the slopes and the surf. So if you fancy getting on board with a winter or summer holiday, definitely look into these.

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The clubs which focus more on training

Rock climbing, jiu-jitsu and running all ranked themselves as at least 70 per cent training (partnered with no more than 30 per cent social). These clubs offer at least three weekly sessions for their members. They also make a good effort to encourage non-drinking socials as well as pub nights. 

Running soc compete in the Meadows Marathon together each year.

Badminton, tennis, volleyball and pole dancing are a good pick for those who want the even split of lots of opportunity to go to training sessions as well as weekly socials, but on calmer days and far away from Love Wednesday.

Why not try these clubs?

American football and padel were two clubs eager to chat with us about their sports. Both would be perfect for those who want to try something new.  A spokesperson for the American football team said that ” no experience is necessary, and all kit is provided. We train complete novices to become adept at the game in a few short weeks.” Padel is keen to get newcomers involved, too. They told us the padel game is “like tennis combined with squash.”

The student union also offers support to “individual athletes” who would like to compete in a sport which doesn’t have an existing club. As well as this, ENSA strongly encourages students to create their own societies and makes it easy to do so. If you have a passion and a team to make your committee, this could very well be a good opportunity for you.

Upcoming unmissable events

The sports and societies at Napier are dedicated to holding events for their members which are often open to other students as well. We asked the sports socs what exciting things their members have to look forward to this year. Below are some of the unmissable ones.

American football is hosting its biggest Super Bowl Party in Edinburgh at The Golf Tav on Sunday 9th February. This is in addition to the weekly clubhouse each Sunday where they watch NFL live together.

Jiu-jitsu has the Randoris (a judoesk style competition in England) coming up, which may not be suitable for members completely new to the sport but could definitely be something to work towards. Jiu-jitsu also offers termly grading opportunities where members are able to progress to the next belt. This is often followed by a ‘grading dinner’ and, of course, the pub.

Snowsports is partaking in the annual all Edinburgh snowsports ceilidh, in which all the snowsports societies across Edinburgh universities get together for a formal ceilidh. Last year’s event was held in The Ghillie Dhu and also hosted a raffle with prizes including brand new skis and poles.

With all the sports clubs at Napier, there is definitely something new to try in semester two. So why not make it a belated new years resolution and sign up at welcome back week, or through the students webpage.