Every student understands the hardships of university living – budgeting for rent, scavenging around in the reduced section in the supermarket, and weighing up if you’ve got enough money leftover to get yourself to Pop Tarts on Saturday.
With the cost of living crisis still hanging over our heads, our money isn’t stretching as far as it used to, leaving some students having to make tough decisions. One major spending point for students is societies and sports teams.
The University of Sheffield boasts over 50 different sports clubs, all with differing levels of commitment. However, a common theme that links these clubs is the cost of membership, which can often be incredibly high. In times like these, the question lies in whether or not people feel reluctant to get involved in university sports as they try and make their money last through the year.
Elliot, a third-year student, spoke about how he has had to cut down on doing the things he loves: “With the ever-increasing prices in all shops, I found that I literally could not afford to do the sports I loved anymore. It was really upsetting having to put my social life on hold.”
For others, paying for a year-long membership is one thing, but affording the weekly socials and appropriate kit required by sports clubs is an entirely different ball park.
Sarah, who is a member of one of the University’s largest sports societies, talked about how she feels priced out by the cost of being involved every week, even though she had already paid a significant amount at the start of the year: “Weekly socials are expensive with needing to buy drinks and ROAR tickets. You feel a bit alienated if you don’t go so it’s a big part of the experience.” She also spoke about how this had originally put her off joining the team in first year.
The pressure to keep up with weekly socials and the cost of basic kit is a huge problem for students who may already feel overwhelmed by the price of the initial membership. It can be off putting when considering which societies to join, feeling as though your options are limited based on how much of your student loan or part-time paycheck you can spare. For some students, it boils down between doing what you love, and being able to afford a food shop.
“I immediately had to rule out joining the club I wanted to because of the price,” said Louise, a third year student reflecting on her choice to not join a society in first year. “There was a cheaper social option that you could pay monthly but it was still too expensive, I knew it’d blow my budget for a month just on that.”
Balancing your studies with a social life and doing what you love can be difficult enough in itself without the added pressures of whether or not you can afford to join in each week, or even if you can join the club at all. Students should not have to make social sacrifices based on their income, no matter how affordable the society may consider itself to be.
The University itself offers advice and guidance on coping with the cost of living crisis, and encourages students to get in touch if they feel they are struggling. There is also a bursary on offer for eligible students; the money is aimed to help students pay for society memberships and sport activities.
Despite the efforts of the University, there is undoubtedly a large number of students who feel at a crossroads between making the most of their time at Sheffield and affording to pay the rent. Sports should be inclusive of all, regardless of the number in your bank account.
Image Credit: University of Sheffield