By Benjy Howard, Deputy Sports Editor
Epigram finds out all you need to know about three of Bristol’s most unheralded sports clubs and societies, and why you should give them a try this upcoming year.
Quadball
If you’re not a Fresher you may have already spotted a group of muddy enthusiasts on The Downs launching themselves into tackles and running around with a stick between their legs in a tangle of organised chaos; that’s quadball in a nutshell.
It’s fun, it’s different, and according to social sec Cameron Harrad, it’s a society that has become a hugely enjoyable aspect of his time at Bristol: ‘we’re a very friendly and welcoming society and, being quite a niche sport, you really feel part of a tight-knit community where everybody knows each other and gets on really well.
‘Everyone joins with the same goals: to have fun, to enjoy exploring a new sport, and to meet like-minded individuals.’ There’s no need to worry if you’ve never picked up the broomstick either – the majority of players haven’t played the sport before coming to uni, and there are plenty who pick it up with little to no sporting background.
There’s even the option of a free social membership if you don’t fancy the rough and tumble on the pitch but still want to participate in the society’s numerous and varied social events, including sober socials and fantasy tournaments.
Being part of the quadball society has helped form some of Cameron’s fondest memories during his time at Bristol, highlighting Bristol’s run to the final of the quadball national universities cup two years ago. ‘This year we want to go one better’, he confidently states.
The club offers the rare and exciting opportunity to be exposed to high-level international players, with two squad members, Tallis Kinrade and Billy Barker, pencilled in to compete for Ireland at the sport’s World Cup in Spain this October. Simply turning up to a training session on The Downs could see you mixing it with the best Wales has to offer, whose national team frequently train alongside the Bristol Uni quadball squad.
Previously named quidditch, Bristol and UK Quadball distanced themselves from association with JK Rowling and the Harry Potter franchise in 2022 for practical reasons and due to the author's comments and views.
Futsal
Ok, so everyone knows about football. The beautiful game (biggest sport on the planet etc. etc.) needs no introduction. Futsal (‘futebol de salão’, meaning room football) is different – its origins in Uruguay during the 1930s are reflected in the sport’s typically South American style, with teamwork, technical ability and creativity favoured over brute strength and speed.
The University of Bristol Futsal Club has grand designs for their future within this exciting sport. Its recent growth has already been remarkable – head coach Jono Tyrrell recalls telling Hertfordshire back in 2023 (at the time the best university side in the country) following a 17-1 loss to ‘give us two more years and we’ll be beating you.’ Fast forward to this year, and his team did exactly that.
Not only that, but in the intervening period Bristol have competed in the European universities championship and consistently reached the latter stages of the BUCS (British University and College Sport) national cup. This year they had two current/former England under-19 players, whilst the progress of both the men’s and women’s club teams (non-uni but affiliated with and take players from the BUCS sides) offers a pathway for standout players to participate at the country’s highest level.
The growth of the women’s game has been and continues to be a key aim for the University Futsal Club. Affordable women’s membership will be offered this year alongside friendlies against other universities, with the goal of establishing a BUCS side for the 2026/27 season. Prior experience is not necessary and participation is encouraged as much as possible in order to establish the women’s team as an integral part of the society.
Thanks to the cohesiveness that futsal requires to be present within a team, Jono believes the society ‘gives students an all-in-it-together feeling which leads to great social bonds being formed. Many past players say they’ve felt like part of a family and have made lifelong friends.’
This social aspect will be further capitalised upon from September with the creation of a ‘varsity-style’ recreational league amongst members of the University of Bristol and UWE futsal setups. This will be open to those with all levels of prior experience, and gives players the chance to try out the sport whilst honing their skills and making new friends. And let’s be honest – what better way to build camaraderie than coming up trumps against our biggest rivals?
Kitesurfing
You’ll struggle to find a cooler society than Bristol University Kitesurfing (BUKS) – there aren’t many other sports out there that allow you to jump, skim, turn, and fly over water at hair-raising speeds. Chances are you’ve probably not had the opportunity to give it a go before either, and what’s the point of going to university if you’re not going to try out new and exciting things?
It might seem impossible to get to the level required to actually put into practice the above, as opposed to spending the majority of time frustrated, exhausted and struggling to get out of the water (as most of us mere mortals would inevitably end up without guidance and practice).
But fear not, the society offers free Give It A Go (GIAG) sessions in order to encourage the uninitiated to learn the requisite skills, giving students a fantastic opportunity to move on to more advanced lessons further down the line. Epigram spoke to BUKS 2024/25 committee member George Anderton, who confirmed the society's commitment to taking beginners out as much as possible. Once you’re at the necessary level, kit hire is accessible too, available for just £15 a day.
George speaks with great fondness of his time at the society, enjoying both the sport itself and the social aspect. 'In terms of favourite memories, I'm not sure any BUKS member could name just one. Though kitesurfing is incredible, it wouldn't be the same without the friends that you make to back it up.
'I would have to highlight the scavenger hunts, where we all head out into whatever local town we're staying in to complete a list of silly challenges. It gives for some of the best fun you can ever have and makes you really good at chatting up professional kitesurfers to join you in a wheelbarrow race or human pyramid...'
If kitesurfing is a step too crazy for you, BUKS also run regular wakeboarding sessions, an equally thrilling but easier to learn watersport than kitesurfing. Again, this is remarkably affordable and will only set you back £10 for one hour or £15 for two, coaching included (BUKS member prices).
To top it all off, there are several trips a year organised by the society, with this year’s planned destinations of Tiree (part of the Inner Hebrides), Spain and Portugal giving members the chance to show off their freshly polished skills in awesome new environments. Weekend excursions also occur frequently; a great way to bond with other students whilst enjoying an exhilarating and unique sport.
To find out more and express an interest in any of these societies and many more, head to Freshers’ Fair on 27th of September!
More information is also available on the SU website.
Featured Image: Instagram @uobkitesurfing, @bristol_quadball, @uobfutsal
