Essex Sport is for those who want to be the best and for those who want to do the best they can. There's a number of ways you can get involved.
Check out our range of courses, from tennis and squash to latin and ballroom dancing. Or for those with a competitive streak, why not join a league or tournament here at Essex, or even start your own.
Not sure if you're ready to commit to one of our weekly courses? Check out our brand new Active Sessions which are open to all and free for our Essex Sport members. And if you're a member, we'll give you a 30% discount on all our sport courses when you sign up in 2019.
If you’re looking to try your hand (or feet) at a new skill, we offer a range of courses including tennis, climbing, squash, latin and ballroom dancing, cardio tennis, and our ever-popular introduction to lifting.
Our courses run throughout the academic year and are available to students, staff, and the public. We also offer a children’s courses programme, which includes tennis, basketball, karate, futsal, Wildcats Football Club, multi-sports tots and more.
Download our spring timetable (.pdf) for Learn To Courses.
Download our spring tennis timetable (.pdf) for adults and children.
* Non-members will need to either telephone or visit the Sports Centre reception. Our friendly Essex Sport team is on hand to guide you through the booking process.
For Active Sessions, you can simply turn up and pay. However, we strongly recommend signing up to ensure you have a place, using the Essex Sport App, available on the App Store and Google Play.
Exception dates
Please note that the sports hall is sometimes unavailable on Tuesday evenings, due to Essex Crown events taking place.
Active sessions are a fun and easy way to try out a new sport, without committing to a full course. Sports you can try include tennis, badminton, walking netball, basketball, touch rugby, football, walking football, table tennis, volleyball, women’s basketball and futsal.
Open to all and free to our members, active sessions have trained activators and coaches leading each session. They’re a great way to try something new, get active and meet new people.
*Non-members will need to either telephone or visit the Sports Centre reception.
Our friendly Essex Sport team is on hand to guide you through the booking process. You can also simply turn up and pay. However, we strongly recommend signing up to ensure you have a place.
Please note that there may be some weeks during term-time that our Active Sessions are unavailable due to 'Essex Crown' events taking place in the Sports Hall.
Our recreational leagues and tournaments (.pdf) are for students and staff who want to play competitive sport in a social, fun and relaxed environment. Throughout the academic year, we offer 5-a-side football, flexi football, mixed netball, men’s basketball and rugby intra-mural.
Get together with a group of friends, or sign up your society, department, or accommodation. Win or lose, we’ll have a great time, and there are always prizes to be won!
It’s easy to enter. Simply sign up online or complete an entry form (.pdf) and return it to our Sports Centre reception team.
The Students' Union's Essex Blades are our sports teams who compete in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) events.
From ultimate frisbee to football, from table tennis to trampolining, there are nearly 50 different sports clubs in the Students’ Union's Essex Blades, giving you plenty to choose from. Most sports club memberships, training, match fees and travel expenses for BUCS matches are included in your basic University membership.
To access student sport club training sessions, you will require a Blades Pass. You must also join the relevant sport club via Students' Union.
Please note, if you have purchased a Gold, Silver or Bronze Membership, you do not require a Blades Pass.
For more information on student sport club training sessions and the Blades Pass please visit our Student's Union website.
Purchase Your Blades Pass
We provide some great volunteering opportunities for you to help make sport happen at the University, as well as within the local community.
To apply, please submit a CV, your name, email address, phone number and a 500-600 words description as to why you feel you would be an ideal candidate for this position.
What experience you have had within a similar role and what skills you feel would make you an ideal candidate for the role. Submissions to be made via email to the Sports Development Team.