From consistent top 10 BUCS rankings since 2015/16, to an extensive network of intramural teams, Newcastle University is building an elite sporting culture. So let’s take a peak behind the curtain.
The beating heart of a passionate city, sport in Newcastle is a way of life. It’s culture representing a dynamic blend of competitive spirit, personal development and community engagement. The University is no different, cultivating an environment where athletic excellence and academic achievement walk hand in hand. Achieving 9 consecutive top 10 BUCS (British University and College Sport) rankings with over four thousand students actively participating in sport, we took a deep dive into how Newcastle University nurtures such an elite sporting culture.
Sixty-two student-led clubs stretch far beyond the typical playbook, where korfball sits alongside karate, and traditional sports mingle with the delightfully obscure. Though competitive at all levels, a focus is placed on inclusivity and equal opportunity. There is a place for anyone willing to play at Newcastle University.
The captain at the helm of this ship, overseeing sport at all levels is former England rugby player Katy Storie. We spoke to her about the current state of sport at Newcastle, and why she thinks the university is becoming a staple for athletes both across the country and further abroad:
To listen to the full 14 minute interview with Katy, including an additional segment on her new women’s sport outreach project with Newcastle University and the Middle East, head over to our Soundcloud linked at the bottom of this article.
“It didn’t matter what course we were from, what our backgrounds were, which school we’d come from.”
Katy Storie
Words testament to the founding principle of sport at Newcastle. When joining as Head of Sport 3 years ago Katy was aware of the pressure and expectation intrinsic to a Russel Group University. However, returning to take this role wasn’t just a professional milestone; it was a homecoming. As a former student herself she understood that sport is about more than just competition. It’s a crucial part of the student experience—offering opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and development outside the classroom. Her own history with the university providing insight into how sports can shape a student’s time at Newcastle.
Though her role demands measurable performance, the shocking admission that she “won’t lose sleep if we’re top fifteen” (referring to Newcastle’s yearly BUCS ranking) reveals a nuanced understanding of sporting success. A perspective that transcends traditional metrics, this isn’t a dismissal of competitive ambition, but rather a sophisticated acknowledgment that true sporting value lies in development, inclusivity, and the transformative experiences students gain.
She accredits recent BUCs success as a “side effect of the students we get”, suggesting that the “feel of a university” plays a huge role in university choice, rather than the idea of attending a top 10 BUCs ranked university. For Katy and many of her colleagues, the measure of a truly successful sports program comes in the form of the strong club base and intramural networks, both present in abundance at Newcastle University.
To get a better understanding of how intramural sport at Newcastle works, I headed down to the Sports and Fitness centre to speak to Tom Brearley, Intramural Sport Officer.
Interview with Tom Brearley, Intramural Sport Officer at Newcastle University
You’ve got a brilliant social platform straight away
Tom Brearley
With 8 different sports to choose from at all levels, I would implore any current students unsure about intramural sport to give it a go. Many universities around the country are unable to get a fully functional intramural program off the ground. The fact that Newcastle’s is such a staple of university life is testament to every students who already takes part.
In the world of university sports, where competition and performance often dominate conversations, something deeper emerged from conversations with Newcastle University’s senior sports leadership. One word resonated above all the statistics, rankings, and achievements: Community.
Both Tom and Katy shared the sentiment that above all, sport is a unique sanctuary where social barriers dissolve and prejudices are stripped away. The relentless pressures of university life are suspended-if only for a couple of hours.
Having took a deeper dive into the inner workings of the sporting culture of Newcastle University, I now understand the hype that surrounds it. Everyone who is apart of this small ecosystem, staff and students alike know what it means to represented the university. A perfect equilibrium of competitiveness and community.
To keep up to date with UniFit, follow our socials below. If you want to hear more of what me and Katy Storie discussed, check out our SoundCloud.
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