It’s halfway through Semester 2 and the tedium of university is setting in once again. It’s the perfect time to get involved in something new and unique, and give yourself that emotional boost you need!
All clubs mentioned are open for anyone to join – students, staff, alumni and the public. The clubs cater for the novice and experienced, and are amazing opportunities to foster new friendships! For the competitive – the clubs offer social, local, regional, state and national competitions. So test yourself and compete within UNSW and against other universities!
UNSW Aikido
Aikido is a modern form of Japanese Martial Arts, which teaches you how to use your opponents’ energy against them. Aikido is a great way to improve timing, balance and fitness while learning invaluable self-defence skills! The club also maintains close ties to Japan with annual training camps run by the founders of UNSW Aikido. Classes are run at the UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre every Tuesday 8 – 9.30 pm, Wednesday 12.30 – 1.30 pm and Saturday 10.30 – 12pm. The first class is also free!
Contact thery79@yahoo.com to sign up
Find out more at http://www.unsw-aikido.org/
UNSW Lacrosse
“Lacrosse is not only the fastest growing sport, it is also the fastest sport on two feet.”
Lacrosse is a mixture of football, hockey, basketball and volleyball where players carry, pass, catch, and shoot the ball into the goal. The UNSW Lacrosse club offers free learn-to-play practices and a social league for mixed lacrosse as well as box lacrosse. The club runs practice every Monday 5pm – 7pm, Wednesday 6pm and Sunday 10am – 12pm at the UNSW Futsal Court and UNSW Village Green (Sundays). Equipment is provided; only sport shoes and most importantly, yourself required!
Contact j.heller@unsw.edu.au to sign up
Click https://www.unswlacrosse.com/ to find out more!
UNSW Kendo
Kendo is defined as “The way of the sword”, and is a form of Japanese Fencing, with roots ageing back to over 1000 years ago. It is an awesome way to develop fencing skills in a safe and protected space while learning about Japanese culture and values of discipline, honour and sincerity. Training is conducted at the UNSW Unigym (UNSW Fitness & Aquatic Centre) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:15 – 9:45pm.
Contact information@unswkendo.org to sign up
Prices vary for beginners and experienced Kendo fencers, so check out http://unswkendo.org/ to find out more!
UNSW Taido
Taido is a Japanese form of Martial Arts that focuses on agility, strategy and counter techniques in three dimensions to defeat opponents. Taido is suitable for all ages and sizes as Taido techniques have an emphasis on evasion through skill and anticipation rather than blocking and shielding. No experience training sessions run on Tuesdays at 7:30pm – 9:30pm (Function Room, Sam Cracknell Pavilion) and Sundays 6pm – 8pm (Unigym/YMCA Judo Room and Court Side Studio). For the advanced, training sessions are on Thursdays 8:15pm – 10pm (Unigym/YMCA Court Side Studio).
Contact taido@unsw.edu.au to sign up
Check out https://www.arc.unsw.edu.au/sport/taido if interested!
UNSW Underwater Rugby Club
A fast paced, three-dimensional team sport where players jostle underwater to get the ball into a basket at the bottom of the pool. However, this club is more tailored to swimmers since underwater rugby is traditionally played in a 5m deep pool (the UNSW club also plays in a 2m and 4m deep pool). The club offers social and competitive games, and skilled players have the opportunity to play for the Australian team at the World Championships! The UNSW Whales A team is currently ranked #1 in Australia!
Contact unswuwr@gmail.com to sign up
Check out https://uwrugby.wordpress.com/ to learn about pricing, pool sessions and more!
UNSW Outdoors Club
Rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, caving, camping, mountain biking and more! If it’s outdoors, it’s probably included – UNSW Outdoors Club offers a huge variety of outdoor activities. For a $60/year or $40/semester membership, get free attendance AND gear for all club trips, and cheap hire rates for club gear when you go on your own trips. But wait, there’s more! Membership gives you reduced rates at various places and stores, including 30% off at Macpac, and $8 sessions at the Ledge rock climbing on USYD campus.
Follow the instructions at http://unswoc.org/wordpress/join/ to join!
Find out more at http://unswoc.org/wordpress/
UNSW Ultimate Frisbee
With high action and super fun gameplay, it’s like a cross between netball, touch and gridiron, but played with a plastic plate that can fly. Train casually with the team and friendly coaches, or play competitively at Uni Games! It’s a super welcoming community for people of all sporting (and non-sporting) backgrounds, something about playing a weird sport really builds great community spirit.
Follow the instructions at https://unswultimate.wordpress.com/membership/ to sign up!
Find out more at https://unswultimate.wordpress.com/
UNSW MODSOC
One of UNSW’s two major dance societies on campus, MODSOC (Ministry of Dance Society) offers dance classes and competitions for a wide variety of music genres and dance styles. Whether you’re a complete beginner with 0 coordination like me, or a long-time dance expert, there’s something for everyone.
To join, just rock up to any class and ask around, they’ll be happy to have you! Class times can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/unswmodsoc/
UNSW D2MG
The second of the two major dance societies on campus, D2MG (Dance DJ MC Graffiti, alternatively Dance 2 Meet Guys/Girls), focuses on hip-hop culture and dance. Open to all skill levels, D2MG is the place to be if you love hip-hop and want to learn how to move like the pros.
To get involved and check out class times, visit D2MG’s Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/d2mg.hiphop.unsw/
UNSW Handball
Unfortunately, this is not the handball you played at school.
Nevertheless, it’s still incredibly fun! It’s a fast paced sport open to all levels, a combination of netball, indoor soccer and pure chaos.
To get involved, send an email to unswhc@hotmail.com
For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/UNSWHC/