The pros and cons of joining the AU

Freshers’ fair is round the corner, and you’ll be bombarded by clubs trying to get you to join.

From the infamous AU night to the extortionate cost of joining a team, is getting involved with sport really worth it?

Pros

AU Night

Get your dressing up box at the ready and prepare to make a fool of yourself, monthly AU nights are what joining a sports team is all about. And don’t forget the Summer and Winter balls for a touch of class.

This year, AU night will be in the brand new guild, but will it live up to AUs of old? Only time will tell.

The people you meet

As recruiting freshers is the lifeblood of any sports team you will be met by welcoming team mates.

Individual teams organise their own social nights, so you’ll never be short of a party or two.

Competing for your Uni

Playing for your team can feel like you’re giving back to your University by beating all other competition, near and far.

Apart from giving you an opportunity to head out on your Wednesday afternoons to shamelessly judge your opponents, it will give you a chance to satisfy that competitive edge of yours.

Just wait until Varsity (we are the current champions) and Christie Cup.

Warding off the dreaded ‘Freshmen 15’

Your parents may tell you student life is easy, with the never ending drinking, Netflix marathons, pizza parties and daytime telly.

But what isn’t appreciated is the struggle of keeping up with these important rights of student life while maintaining the waist measurements you arrived at uni with.

Joining a sports team is one of the best ways to keep you motivated towards not falling victim to the ‘Freshman 15’.

Sport scholarships

You’ll always be skint, but you can earn extra cash by getting a scholarship. In any country you’ve ever wanted to visit. Go for China government scholarship, piece of cake!

These can be awarded past first year so don’t worry, you have time to become exceptional enough to get the cash.

Cons

The fitness sessions

Getting out of bed on a wet and windy weekend morning to run around like someone possessed isn’t what most freshers will have in mind of being fun.

And don’t forget the added bonus of waking up the next day feeling like your body has been put through a ringer.

Added cost

It’s pricey to get involved.  When you add together equipment, AU membership and that hefty gym membership you’ll be getting you might start to question whether or not it’s worth it.

 

Injuries

Depending on your sport the severity of this could range from a scratch to a concussion.

One of the most noticeable injuries on campus was a rugby injury where an ankle snapped mid-tackle and needed an hour long operation, a metal plate and three screws.

Christie Cup losses  

Sadly, Liverpool doesn’t boast the best record at the Christie Cup, which is putting it somewhat kindly.

If you’re lucky, your sport team may be “in it to win it” but if not you might have to find solace in third place.

People have been known to drown their sorrows on the bus back, and although this is not strictly allowed, it did seem to help.

Timetable clashes  

Now, if the cons haven’t put you off and you’re still raring to go, do have a little caution.

Sod’s law predicts all sport teams you sign up for will most likely happen all at the same time. Short of splitting yourself down the middle the only real answer is to pick one.