student news – Page 2

October 15, 2025

LSBU Active: Give it a Go Success!

For the first 2 weeks of the 25/26 Academic Year, LSBU Active invited students to ‘Give it a Go’, offering free access to all Sports & Physical Activity opportunities available to students throughout the Academic Year. The initiative resulted in 1004 attendees, with many sessions over-subscribed, showcasing its huge success. In addition, 941 students have as a result now activated their Free Foundation Gym Membership with LSBU Active!

In addition to this, LSBU Active delivered a ‘Sports Fair’ on Wednesday 1st October, bringing a real vibrant atmosphere to the Southwark Campus during Welcome Week, and also collaborated on the delivery of Freshers Fair on Thursday 9th October, and the Halls Fair on Wednesday 24th September. Across these 3 events, an incredible 37 students volunteered their time, providing over 400 hours of volunteer work to create a welcoming atmosphere to new students, a buzz around campus, and to promote LSBU Active’s services.

LSBU Active throughout the month of September further supported the Student Union with enrolment, and have consequently being able to send 3217 personalised emails, to students who had shown interest in a particular LSBU Active service or activity.

September 9, 2025

LSBU Active and LSBU Halls – a Brand New Partnership!

Get Active and Connected: LSBU Halls Membership and LSBU Active…

Get Active and Connected: LSBU Halls Sports & Wellbeing Welcome Programme
At London South Bank University, we are pleased to announce a brand-new partnership with our University Halls and LSBU Active starting this academic year. Students moving into any of London South Bank University 3 hall of residence (Dante, Bomberg and McLaren) will have exclusive access to our free wellbeing activities happening across the first 2 weeks of term. This will help students living in halls to settle into their new homes, make friends, and have a positive start to LSBU university life.

From Monday 15th September to Sunday 28th September, LSBU Active are organising a range of activities relaxed activities are aimed at all abilities. The full list of activities is highlighted below…

Week 1: Monday 15th September – Sunday 21st September

Activity	When	Details
Welcome Walks	Mon 16th Sept – 10-11am (David Bomberg) Mon 16th Sept – 1-2pm (McLaren House) Mon 16th Sept – 4-5pm (Dante Road)	Guided walk from your halls — explore the local area and meet new people.
‘Just Play’ Sports Sessions	Tues 17th Sept – 12-2pm (Indoor Cricket / Football) Thurs 19th Sept – 12-2pm (Football) Tues 17th Sept – 5-6pm Thurs 19th Sept – 5-6pm Thurs 19th Sept – 6-7pm (David Bomberg) Tues 17th Sept – 2-5pm (Dante Road)	Casual drop-in sports at LSBU Active Sports Hall. Try it out, play for as long as you like.
Pop-Up Sport Sessions	Tues 17th Sept – 5-6pm Thurs 19th Sept – 5-6pm	Fun games in McLaren House Common Room — ‘Swing Ball’, cornhole, archery sets and more.
Yoga Session	Thurs 19th Sept – 6-7pm (David Bomberg)	Relax, de-stress, and meet new people through yoga.
Walk-In Health Assessments	Tues 17th Sept – 2-5pm (Dante Road)	Quick 15-minute wellbeing checks: posture, blood pressure, body composition and more.

Week 2: Monday 22nd – 28th September

Activity	When	Details
Just Play’ Sports Sessions	Tues 24th Sept – 12-2pm (Indoor Cricket) Wed 25th Sept – 12-1pm (Netball) Wed 25th Sept – 1-2pm (Basketball) Thurs 26th Sept – 12-2pm (Football) Fri 27th Sept – 12-2pm (Badminton & Pickleball)	Casual drop-in sports at LSBU Active Sports Hall. Play for as much or as little as you like.
Pop-Up Sport Sessions	Tues 24th Sept – 5-6pm Thurs 26th Sept – 5-6pm	McLaren House Common Room pop-ups with casual games and activities.
Yoga Session	Thurs 26th Sept – 6-7pm (McLaren House)	Calm, restorative yoga to relax and recharge.
Walk-In Health Assessments	Tues 24th Sept – 2-5pm (Dante Road) Thurs 26th Sept – 2-5pm (McLaren House)	15-minute health check including posture, blood pressure and body composition.

From 29th September onwards, residents will also have access to exclusive weekly sport sessions across the LSBU Active Sports Hall and Studio, offering even more opportunities to stay active throughout the year.

By activating your halls membership, you will gain exclusive access to a Just Play membership – as well as an exciting range of fitness classes – the full timetable is linked here. In addition, all halls’ students will receive a ‘Just Play’ membership as well as a series of other fantastic benefits. To find out more, click on the link to see our full ‘Halls Sport’ offering and Just Play timetable!

September 2, 2025

HYROX at LSBU Active

Join the HYROX Movement at LSBU Active– Train Like a Champion or Just for Your Health!

We at LSBU Active continually strive to innovate and elevate the fitness journeys of our members. We’re excited to announce a new partnership that broadens the scope of what we offer: LSBU Active is now an official HYROX affiliate!

Sessions run every Tuesday from 7 pm starting from 16 September 2025, and more will be added. We will be sharing more exciting news in due course.

HYROX is more than just a global fitness competition; it’s a comprehensive fitness approach designed for everyone, regardless of your competitive streak. This program promotes physical fitness through a series of accessible, safe classes that HYROX HQ considers the healthiest way to train. Whether you aim to challenge yourself in the next HYROX competition or participate in HYROX classes to stay active and healthy, there’s a place for you here.

The HYROX event itself is a thrilling challenge, testing strength, speed, agility, and endurance through a set of demanding physical tasks. It’s an excellent opportunity for those who love the spirit of competition and teamwork. We’re gearing up to support as many members as possible who want to experience the rush of competing in the upcoming HYROX fitness competition.

But remember, participating in the competition isn’t the only way to get involved with HYROX. You can also join us for HYROX classes right here at LSBU Active, where you can enjoy the benefits of this unique training style in a non-competitive, supportive environment. It’s perfect for those who are looking for an effective and safe way to enhance their fitness without the pressures of competition.

We’re committed to preparing all interested members for whatever goal they choose, offering tailored training and support to ensure everyone reaches their potential and enjoys themselves. Whether you’re aiming to compete or stay fit, we’re here to cheer you on every step of the way!

Stay tuned for updates on our participation in the HYROX competition and details about our HYROX classes. We encourage everyone to come out and support our competitors or join the classes to experience this innovative training regime firsthand. Thank you for being a vital part of the LSBU Active community.

We’re thrilled to start this new chapter with you and continue providing the best fitness experiences possible.

September 2, 2025

Summer Camp Success! LSBU Active and Bankside Open Spaces Trust

As LSBU students took a break from their academic studies, LSBU Active delivered 5 fantastic weeks of a summer sports camp (a total of 23 days) in collaboration with Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST). The purpose of the camp is to deliver a vibrant community sports offer for children aged between 5-12 in the local community.

Across July and August, 13 of LSBU’s Sports Ambassadors’ successfully delivered an engaging multisport camp. This provided children from the local community the opportunity to learn a variety of new sports including football, dodgeball, basketball and more in a safe, controlled and fun environment. It also provided our scheme with over 550 hours of paid work for students. In addition, our ‘Sports Ambassadors’ successfully developed leadership, coaching and team working skills.

Walking away from a busy 5 weeks, our partners at BOST were full of praise about the success of the summer sports camp and the positive impact that LSBU Sports Ambassadors had on the local children who attended. In a letter of thanks written by our community partners, it states: “The Ambassadors played an important role in creating a safe and welcoming environment for children. Their energy and encouragement helped participants build confidence, try new activities and enjoy their time at camp”. Krystian Kowalski, (Sports Manager at Bankside Open Spaces Trust)

Finally, one of our ‘Sports Ambassadors’ who stepped up as a first-time camp lead, backs this up further in her own reflections on the skills she gained from running camp. Pamela has said: “As a camp lead, there were challenging moments as we had to adapt quickly to uncertain situations, but it all concluded favourably. Seeing the kids engage in sessions throughout the 5 weeks of camp, improving their skills and the synergy between the coaches has been the highlight of camp for me.” Pamela Carreno 3rd Year, BSc Hons Sport and Exercise Science. This shows just some of the valuable skills our students who participated are now walking away with.

At LSBU Active, we are very pleased with how this summer camp has run and are excited to see about what our future partnership with BOST will bring.

August 18, 2025

Unlocking Social Value: How LSBU Active Strengthens Community Wellbeing and Student Success

In 2024/25, LSBU Active delivered more than just sport, it generated measurable, life-changing benefits for our students, staff, and wider community, valued at over £663,000 in social value. This impact extends far beyond fitness. Regular participation in physical activity improves academic performance, boosts mental health, and builds skills for life, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What is Social Value and Why Does it Matter?

Social value captures the wider benefits that investment in the provision of sport and physical activity brings to society, benefits such as improved health, increased happiness, enhanced skills, and stronger communities.

Social Value focuses on four key areas:

Physical & Mental Health – Preventing chronic disease, supporting recovery, and enhancing mental wellbeing. SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing
Subjective Wellbeing – Increasing life satisfaction and happiness through regular activity. SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing
Individual Development – Building confidence, skills, and employability. SDG 4 – Quality Education
Social & Community Development – Strengthening connections and reducing isolation. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

At LSBU Active, social value is calculated using the Social Value Calculator (SVC) developed by 4GLOBAL in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and Experian. This evidence-based tool applies national research and benchmarks to translate outcomes into a monetary equivalent, enabling us to track, predict, and evidence the positive changes we create.

Our 2024/25 Social Value Impact

In 2024/25, LSBU Active supported 6,756 participants, including 2,532 unique students who activated a membership. Across all participants, our activities generated £663,753 in total social value, or an average of £98 per person, rising to £195 for our most active members.

Breakdown of Our Impact:

Physical & Mental Health: £69,677 – Supporting healthier lifestyles, reducing the risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, dementia, and heart disease.
Subjective Wellbeing: £384,518 – The largest single contribution, reflecting the profound effect of regular activity on happiness and quality of life.
Individual Development: £33,190 – Equipping students and community members with confidence, discipline, and leadership skills.
Social & Community Development: £176,355 – Building inclusive, connected communities.

Health System Savings

The benefits extend to the health sector, by helping prevent illness and reduce NHS pressures, with participation in LSBU Active programmes helping to avoid costs associated with major health conditions including:

Type 2 Diabetes: £26,653 saved
Dementia: £23,074 saved
Hip Fractures: £8,642 saved
Coronary Heart Disease & Stroke: £7,919 saved

The Student Impact: Active Students Achieve More

The 2024/25 LSBU Active Student Survey shows a clear and powerful link between physical activity and student outcomes:

Better Academic Expectations – Over one-third of vigorously active students expect to graduate with a First, compared to only one-fifth of students who are not very active.
Higher Employability Confidence – Regularly active students are more confident about finding a job within six months of graduating than less active peers.
Improved Mental Wellbeing – 70% of students say they are active to benefit physical health, 55% for mental health, and 54% to improve body image. More active students report higher life satisfaction and lower anxiety levels.
Higher Retention & Progression – Students who are members of LSBU Active are 4% more likely to progress and remain in study compared to non-member students
Skill Development – Students who take part in competitive sport are more likely to believe it improves employability and university acceptance prospects.

Looking to 25/26

This year’s results confirm that LSBU Active is a key contributor to student success and community health. As we look to the future, our focus will be on increasing student participation, expanding our inclusive offer, and deepening our community partnerships to grow this impact even further.

At LSBU, sport and physical activity are not just extracurricular, they are essential drivers of health, achievement, and belonging.

July 24, 2025

LSBU Sports Scholar, Jennifer Eduwu represents Team GB in the FISU World University games

We’re proud to share that LSBU sports scholar Jennifer Eduwu (a 3^rd year nursing student) represented Great Britain Students at the FISU World University Games this summer, competing in the 100m and 200m events. Held in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region, the Games brought together more than 10,000 student athletes from around the globe. Jennifer’s selection for Team GB was a huge achievement, reflecting her incredible talent, work ethic and a hugely successful 24/25 season.

As both a GB level athlete and a third-year nursing student, Jennifer successfully balanced the demands of her studies with the challenges of training and competing at the highest level. When asked how the LSBU Sports scholarship programme supported her in navigating this balance, Jennifer claimed “Once I got the scholarship, it felt like a bridge connecting my academics and my sport – and it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders” Jennifer Eduwu.

Reflecting on Jennifer’s performances across the year, they have been nothing short of exceptional. After becoming the British U23 100m champion at the English Athletics Championships, she then played a key role in the England Senior Athletics Team, helping secure gold in the 100m relay at the Manchester International. At BUCS’ (British Universities & Colleges Sport), nationals event (February 2025), she finished 4^th in the 60m race. At BUCS Outdoors in May, she came 5^th in the 100m and 4^th in the 200m. Only this week, her momentum continued at the FISU World University Games, where she reached the semi-finals of the 100m, running 11.99 seconds. She also competed strongly in the 200m heats representing Team GB students twice in one set of games.

Overall, Jennifer’s achievements this year reflect her exceptional determination, athleticism, and her outstanding commitment to sport. At LSBU, we’re incredibly proud of her successes and are hugely excited to see what’s next!

February 18, 2025

LSBU Win 2 Medals at BUCS Nationals

This past weekend, BUCS Nationals – the most prestigious university sports event in the UK – brought together over 4,000 student-athletes from across the country to compete at the highest level of student sport. With Olympic medallists in the mix, the competition was intense, and our university was proudly represented by five incredibly talented students. The result? Two medals and numerous impressive performances across multiple disciplines.

Eva Kutman delivered an exceptional performance in pole vault, securing a bronze medal, continuing her impressive season where she’s achieved remarkable personal bests. Eva’s medal chances don’t just stop now, Eva will continue to represent LSBU this season where she will head to the BUCS Outdoor Athletics championships in May, hoping to continue her medal winning streak.

In fencing, Maxwell Jones continued to shine, earning a silver medal in his event. Maxwell, who represents Great Britain in the senior squad, demonstrated his world-class skills, and fierce determination. His silver finish at BUCS Nationals further solidifies his position as one of the top fencers in the country. Although BUCS Nationals marks the only opportunity for Maxwell to represent LSBU, he still has many more major events, including the World Cup taking place in Cairo this march, where he will be part of the British senior team.

But the success didn’t stop there. Three other athletes from our university competed with determination and resilience, adding to the overall success of our team.

Jennifer Eduwu, the reigning U23 English 100m champion, showed her speed and strength in the indoor athletics, finishing an impressive 4th place in the 60m final. Jennifer is now setting her sights on the outdoor championships in May, where she’s sure to bring her A-game and build on her incredible momentum.

In Karate, Natalia and Vasiliki Nestouri fought with determination, both progressing well through their events. Although they narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals, their performances were strong, and they continue to prove their potential on the national stage.

All of our athletes demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance, and we couldn’t be prouder of their performances. The BUCS Nationals is a true test of athletic ability, and our athletes excelled in a field that includes some of the best university talent in the UK.

Congratulations once again to Eva, Maxwell, Jennifer, Natalia, and Vasiliki for representing LSBU at the highest level of university sport. We look forward to seeing their continued success and are excited to support them in future events.

What is BUCS Nationals?

BUCS Nationals is the premier university sports event in the United Kingdom, organized by British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). It brings together student-athletes from universities across the nation to compete at the highest level in various sports. The event features multiple disciplines, including athletics, swimming, badminton, fencing, and karate, among others.

In 2025, BUCS Nationals took place in Sheffield, with competitions held across multiple venues. The event spanned several days, showcasing the talents of student-athletes in a highly competitive environment.

BUCS Nationals serves as a significant platform for university athletes to demonstrate their skills, with many participants having represented their countries in international competitions.

One of the standout athletes at BUCS Nationals 2025 was Daniel Wiffen, a swimmer from Loughborough University. Fresh off his gold medal victory in the 800m freestyle at the 2025 Paris Olympics, Wiffen returned to defend his titles in the 800m and 1500m events. Daniel also holds the world record in the 800-meter freestyle short course, set at 7:20.46 during the 2023 European Short Course Championships. Examples like Daniel are all around BUCS Nationals and truly highlights the standard of this competition.

February 10, 2025

Muay Thai at LSBU Active – Celebrating a successful Inter-Club Event!

The LSBU Active Muay Thai club recently held an incredible interclub event tailored especially for beginners who had never experienced a competition before. It was a fantastic opportunity for both new and experienced participants, with matches carefully organized by experience and weight categories.

We are proud to share that the LSBU Muay Thai team was represented by an amazing group of individuals, from first timers to people experienced in the sport!

The energy, passion, and sportsmanship displayed by our students were truly inspiring. Events like this not only help build confidence and sharpen techniques but also foster a supportive and empowering community.

If you’re an LSBU student looking for a new challenge, a way to stay fit, or simply want to meet great people, why not join the LSBU Muay Thai group? Whether you’re a complete beginner or already experienced, everyone is welcome to train, learn, and grow with us.

January 22, 2025

An Evening Celebrating our Student Athletes

On Monday 20 January, LSBU Active hosted a memorable evening celebrating the outstanding achievements of our student athletes. The event brought together athletes, staff, and faculty to honour those who are excelling in both academics and sport. The evening showcased the immense dedication required to compete at the highest levels, with student athletes balancing rigorous training with their studies.

The event highlighted several exceptional athletes:

Jennifer Eduwu, a third-year nursing student and 100m sprinter, celebrated her U23 100m title at the 2024 English Athletics Championships and gold in the 100m relay for the England Senior Athletics Team at the recent Manchester international.

Eva Kutman, a third-year sports rehabilitation student, impressed with her pole vault achievements, including a recent personal best of 3m 90 on the World Athletics Indoor Challenger Tour. Eva also claimed a national title in her home country taking home the 2024 Estonian U23 championship.

Desharne Bent-Ashmeil, a trailblazing diver, became the first black diver to win a medal for Great Britain at the European Championships, where she not only claimed one medal but became a three-time European Gold medallist. Desharne is now looking ahead with her sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“My dream is to get to the Olympics, represent black people and try to put diving out there so more people from different backgrounds feel this is a sport for them.”

Maxwell Jones, a GB fencer, this academic year has competed in seven different cities across 3 continents, including Paris, France, Takasaki, Japan and Tunis, Tunisia. Max’s next international competitions include the Turin – Italy leg of the Grand Prix as well as the World Cup event taking place in Cairo – Egypt. Domestically we are also looking forward to Max competing for LSBU in the coveted BUCS Nationals taking place this February where he will join four other LSBU athletes in the multi-sport national championships.

Ralfe E Aslam Raja, a golf athlete, was celebrated for his international success, including his win at the 2024 Pakistan National Amateur Golf Championships and his acceptance into the prestigious Royal and Ancient Scholarship scheme. Ralfe will become the first sports scholar to represent LSBU within BUCS golf competition.

Natalia and Vasiliki Nestouri, both accomplished karate athletes, were recognized for their achievements, with Natalia having previously won a bronze medal for LSBU at BUCS Nationals as well as representing the university at the European University Combat Championships. Both her and her sister Vasiliki are members of the Greek National squad, with Vasiliki being a multiple time medallist at the Greek National championships.

Afagh Chini Saz, a standout player on the LSBU Women’s Basketball Team, was honoured for her selection to the English Universities National Team as well as her involvement with National League side London Elite.

Douglas Aikman will be the first student to represent LSBU in a major championship, heading across to Cardiff for the BUCS Cross Country Championships in February. This season Douglas has continued to break personal bests across multiple distances and continues to strive for success.

Justus Gremsperger, a first-year chiropractic student, was praised for his international water polo career and dedication to recovery following injury. He previously has represented Sweden internationally and claimed a bronze medal in 2023 at the Swedish national championships.

Emma Sng Ai Ming, a physiotherapy student, was recognized for her international cheerleading accomplishments, including reaching the semi-finals at the 2024 Cheerleading World Championship.

Following the award presentations, a video highlighted upcoming events, including BUCS Nationals where five LSBU students will be looking to come home with silverware.

The evening concluded with an inspiring talk by Alton Brown, a former LSBU Sports Scholar, recipient of an LSBU Honorary Fellowships and previous Olympic pathway athlete. Alton is now dedicated to empowering communities through sport, reducing barriers and creating equality along the way. Alton spoke about his life in sport and professional life, sharing words of wisdom with our student athletes.

The evening was a celebration of perseverance, passion, and achievement. We look forward to continuing to support our student athletes as they strive for even greater success in the future. Congratulations to all!

December 19, 2024

Christmas Round Up 2024!

Our Christmas round-up post celebrates the Semester 1 and what LSBU Active have achieved so far in the Student Sport and Community programmes. Let’s kick it off with our Sports Ambassadors who have been at the forefront of sport and physical activity. Many of the projects and programmes simply wouldn’t run without the work of our student staff cohort.

Coach Education

Alba Foster-Diez, 2nd Year, School of Health & Social Care, BSc Hons Sports Rehabilitation

Meet Alba, our Sports Ambassador of the Semester. Alba has engaged with a range of sports coaching and this term, has started as the Lead Coach of London South Bank University’s Women’s Football Team. Alba has immersed herself into Sports Coaching with a variety of coaching qualifications throughout her studies.

Completing all prerequisites for safe coaching practices and has begun The FA’s ‘Introduction to Coaching Football’, in addition to completing 20 hours of voluntary placement in accordance with Alba’s studies with the School of Health & Social Care to complete the Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification.

“It has been exciting to return to be the women’s football coach for 2024/25. It’s allowed me to keep in touch with football and to bring new female students together through football. Being a Sports Ambassador has given me new opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have had and professional experience relevant to my career interests and area of study”

Thomas Norman, 2nd Year, School of Built Environment &Architecture, BEng Hons Building Services Engineering

Both our Women and Men’s Rugby Club Leaders and Sports Ambassadors have taken part in Emergency First Aid Courses delivered by LSBU Active. This is to qualify our students to offer safe sport and professional development.

With our students, we have been able to deliver two Emergency First Aid Courses with fifteen students certified to provide safe First Aid. We hope the coach education programme offers a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for new students looking to try sport, knowing the sports club members and volunteer workforce are skilled in all aspects of sports provision.

Hear from the Men’s Rugby Club Leader, Thomas Norman who took part in the course to keep players safe and to welcome new students trying university sport for the first time.

“The first aid course is great to have, not only to have when playing a contact sport but also in day-to-day life. It’s also great to put on your CV and could aid your future career prospects”

What Have We Achieved?

LSBU Active’s Sports Ambassador Scheme celebrate the collective efforts of all its student-staff as we wrap-up for the Christmas Break. See below to view our semester in numbers.

5286+ participants engaged with Sports Ambassador sessions

1350+ paid coaching hours

290+ volunteering hours

32 coaching qualifications & certificates issued to students

29 newly appointed Sports Ambassadors

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Partnerships

Our Active Partnerships in the local community saw LSBU Students to deliver vibrant activity programmes for a local charity and sports coaches for the School Sport Programmes LSBU Active delivers. Examples of this include the October Half-Term Sports Camp for Bankside Open Spaces Trust, providing much needed free physical activity for local children with limited access to open spaces. To add, our work with the Harris Academy & King’s College Math’s Sixth Form sees our Sports Ambassadors act as lead coaches across three Sixth Form Colleges in Lambeth and Southwark, inspiring school students to take part in physical activity as part of the school curriculum. 

Peter Croucher, Sports Administrator, Harris Academy

“Internal feedback from our students shows that the sessions are very much enjoyed.  The use of LSBU facilities and their coaches has enabled the schools to offer a much wider range of sports and of higher-quality sessions than would otherwise have been possible”

LSBU Sports Ambassadors have also volunteered their time this term to enhance their skills with further training, coaching badges and workshops. Volunteering and upskilling added to student success and champions the efforts of our Ambassadors with an enhanced student experience with improved access to opportunity and graduate prospects.

Hear from our Sports Ambassador Graduates!

Gee-oh Ho, School of Business, MSc Postgraduate

“As a recent master’s graduate, being able to test and implement skills as a team leader has been an exciting opportunity. I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to work with children and encouraging them to pursue new sports is fulfilling”.

Next up let’s talk about our student sport club and participation programmes!

Student Sport Club Successes!

This academic year we launched our new Sports Collectives offering more holistic activity outside of the competitive environment such as Yoga, Pilates and Dance. As well as 2 new clubs in Powerlifting and Weightlifting alongside our new Men’s 3rd team in football due to the rise in members last year within the club. It’s been great to see the rise in students engaging in Physical activity with continued growth across all aspects, tracking to be our best year ever so far!

We also want to highlight some great news from our sports clubs and our teams who are having a great season so far. Our Men’s Football 2nd Team are currently chasing the double promotion, currently sitting in 2nd place after securing promotion only last season.

With the theme of successful 2nd teams, our Netball 2s are currently sitting top of the tree in 1st place within their LUSL division, as well as progressing into the quarter finals of the LUSL Plate competitions.

Hear from the 2 captains below:

Phillip Crichton, Men’s Football 2nd Team Captain: “I’m so proud of my team, we’ve worked so hard this year. It’s been a positive attitude from everyone, a team effort. We have come into this season with a real sense of commitment and community where everyone involved in the team brings their best every week. To fight for back-to-back promotions is huge and would be a great achievement for the club and all the lads. We’re proud and fighting for all we can get from this season.”

Caitlin Hedger, Netball 2nd Team Captain: “The girls have been playing incredibly well this season, and we haven’t lost a league match so far! It’s been great to see the girls showing up to training each week, making sure we have a full squad, and supporting each other on and off the court. Finishing top of the league going into 2025 is motivating us to keep up the momentum.”

We have seen some great fixtures all year round having now played 39 competitive matches against universities all round London and the South-East region.

Women’s Sport

Following on from the great work last year we have continued to see a growing number of women’s engaging in sport here at LSBU, continuing to break down barriers. This is in part due to the FA and BUCS funding we secured for this academic year, allowing us to offer a more focused women’s football offering right here at LSBU Active. This has proven to be a great success with over 100 attendances so far in term 1, this funding has also allowed us to support level 1 coaching courses for some of your female players, furthering their career opportunities.

Elite Performance Sport

This year our Sports Scholarship programme has expanded, attracting elite Athletes to LSBU. 7 students are now on our Elite Scholarships with another 3 being support athletes. Of this cohort of 7 students we have 3 times European Gold Medallist, Desharne Bent-Ashmeil, in diving. As well as the current British U23s 100m title holder, Jennifer Eduwu. We are incredibly proud of these students as they manage their career in sport and balancing their academic goals here at LSBU.

Here is what Ralfe E Aslam Raja, current Pakistan National Amateur Golf Champion, said about joining the programme:

“This is my first year as an LSBU Active Scholar, and I’m excited for the comprehensive support it provides, including rehab, sports science, a free gym, and other resources, which will help me balance academics, training, and competitions while striving to achieve even greater heights in both my studies and my sport.”

Movember 2024

This month, we’re thrilled to highlight an incredible opportunity one of our students, Carl Russell, embraced by becoming a Movember Student Ambassador for 2024.

The role of Student Ambassador is a prestigious position that allows students to lead their university’s efforts in Movember’s nationwide fundraising challenge, competing against over 100 universities. This opportunity also enables Carl to develop key skills such as project management, event organization, and leadership, which are invaluable for future career prospects. As part of his role Carl will also be able to receive training and mentorship from Movember HQ and have the chance to apply for an exclusive internship in Summer 2025.

We’re incredibly proud of him for stepping up to take on this important role, representing LSBU at a major charity with passion and creativity while supporting a life-saving cause.

As part of his role Carl led and supported with fundraising efforts this year including kick starting our effort this year. Carl said the following about the first event he led on:

“As a Movember ambassador I wanted to kick start the university’s fundraising efforts early on in November with a sponsored run. Hosted by the rugby club, we managed to get 16 people across rugby, netball and women’s football to join us on a 10 kilometre (6.2 mile) route that took us to London Bridge and along the Southbank to some major tourist sites and back to a pub to watch the first England rugby game of the autumn internationals. It was a huge success as we had quite a few people clocking their longest run they have ever done on that day and inspiring them to enjoy and keep running and get outside more. 

Overall, this event was a huge success and in general a really fun day. We raised £180 from the event for the Movember campaign, showing our continued support for men’s health and issues.”

We’re incredibly proud of Carl for stepping up to represent LSBU with such passion and creativity, making a real difference for this life-saving cause.

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