SPORT at university for many people is one of the highlights of their life as it creates opportunities for students to compete at a high level alongside their studies.
At Southampton Solent University this has changed for many people with the aspiration of performing at a top level. With the recent cut in budget, resulting in many Solent sports teams being slashed, students have been left without many top level sports to compete in.
Teams across the university such as Netball, Football, and Basketball are among the teams that have been affected the most via these budget cuts leaving clubs with just one British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) team despite the amount of players that each team has.
Solent Basketball coach Zach Holldon ,”ideally I’d have 12-15 in a first team and have a second team running deveopment on the side.”
Not only has this affected the amount of teams that are representing the university, it has reduced the access to facilities for teams to even play their games and train for these upcoming fixtures. Therefore, it is increasingly difficult for teams to provide the opportunities that were once presented to students at Solent.
The teams being cut is not the only problem that students are finding hard to come to terms with as an increase in price has set students back financially as well. Last year, students were required to pay £150 to be apart of a BUCS team and play at the highest level. This year, however, membership has seen a £25 increase to £175 despite the reductions in teams competing this year.
These set costs go towards team affiliation, transport, insurance, pitch and equipment costs as well as match officials. However, this is another increase in costs for students in the ever growing economy and student life.
The extra costs don’t stop there for students though as the university changed kit provider this year, forcing returning students to buy new uniforms for their sport. With this added requirement, the extra financial costs for students just keeps rising and with less opportunities for students to perform at a top level, they are left questioning what value sport has during there university life.
We contacted the university to speak to us regarding the matter, however we received no reply.
Image Caption: Basketball, Netball, Football and Rugby players
Image Credits: Marcus Mansfield
