Sports clubs, facilities and activities
Staying active is a big part of life here at Kingston University. Find out everything you need to know about our sports clubs, fitness facilities, coaching and community programmes.
Sport and fitness at Kingston University
From social clubs to competitive training, there are plenty of ways to play sport at Kingston University.
Try something new
Check out our active lifestyles programme to take part in a wide range of activities for free. There’s something on every day of the week, from football, badminton and swimming to horse riding, tennis and more.
Join a sports club
Kingston Students’ Union runs a huge range of sports clubs, from the mainstream to the maverick. Kingston Cougars, our competitive sports clubs, compete in inter-university fixtures on Wednesday afternoons through the British Universities and Colleges Sport. If you join a sports club, you’ll need to buy a Kingston Students' Union sports card for £35.
Row with Kingston University
The Kingston University Rowing Club trains up to four times a week, both in the gym and on the river. If you want the chance to row with other students and maybe even represent Kingston University at a sports regatta event, you can register your interest here. All abilities are welcome.
Get involved with an event
Watch our Sports Tour and Varsity, attend a monthly sports social or celebrate at our annual Sports Awards.
Access top fitness facilities
Train at first-class fitness facilities with all the space and equipment you need to be your best.
Make use of excellent outdoor sports facilities at Tolworth Court sports ground. You’ll find everything you need to play football, rugby, netball, cricket, American football and lacrosse, including a floodlit hardcourt area, sports pavilion and café and bar.
More Energy fitness centre
Check out Kingston University’s More Energy fitness centre at the Penrhyn Road campus. You’ll find a cardio floor, a toning zone, resistance machines, free weights and a mirrored studio for aerobics and dance. The centre also offers a range of group classes and personal training opportunities.
The Kingston Hill Fitness Trail
Join The Kingston Hill Fitness Trail.
Stay active in Kingston upon Thames
From leafy parks and riverside walks to local clubs and national sports activities, Kingston upon Thames has your sporting needs covered.
Whether you want to walk, run, cycle or even play frisbee, there are plenty of parks and walks available in Kingston, including:
- Royal Parks
- Richmond Park
- Bushy Park
- War Memorial Gardens
- Fairfield Recreation Ground,
- Canbury Gardens
- Queens Promenade
- The long river path
There are lots of local leisure centres and gyms in Kingston upon Thames, as well as community clubs for everything from free-diving to ten-pin bowling.
Love watching sports? There’s lots going on in the local area, including:
- Local football clubs, including Chelsea, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers (QPR)
- Tennis at Wimbledon
- Rugby at Twickenham
- Horse racing at Epsom
- The Oxford /Cambridge Boat Race at Putney Bridge
- Cricket at the Oval
At Kingston University, you’re only a short train ride away from the City of London, which is full of world-class gyms and international stadiums. Take part in the London Marathon, visit Olympic sites, watch world championships and more. Check out the Visit London website to find out more.
Sports Performance Programme
Boost your performance
If you are a talented athlete and compete at regional, national or international level, our Sports Performance Programme could help you balance your sporting and academic commitments.
Every year, we help a cohort of people manage their study time while excelling in their chosen sport. The programme has three levels:
- Performance level, for athletes competing at senior international level
- Achievement level, for athletes competing at junior international level
- Development level, for athletes competing at regional representative standard or senior club level
As part of the programme, you’ll get access to a whole range of benefits, including:
- Free Fitness Centre membership
- Support from Kingston University Human Performance Laboratory
- Sports psychology support
- Discounted osteopathy, sports therapy and physio
- Sports bursaries to cover competition expenses
- A personal liaison officer
- Access to sports talks and workshops
- Administration support for competitions and training
Meet some of our Sports Performance Programme athletes:
- Arwen Stewart: Karate
- Solvana Calpano-Butler: Women's football
- Jilal Pervez: Cricket
- Tala Sultan: Women's basketball
- Abigail Woollvin: Women's football
- Meksel Direk: Fencing
- Trinity Simpson: Women's rugby
- Nikita Makarovas: Boxing
- Adetoro Russell: Athletics
- Mohammed Aneeq Naeem Iqbal: Squash
- Rob Teague: Wheelchair tennis
Interested in applying for the Sports Performance Programme?
Our Sport and Active Lifestyles team would love to hear from you! Register your interest for the Sports Performance Programme using the application form.
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Kingston University men’s rugby team.
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Kingston University women's netball team.
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Football at Tolworth Court.
Develop your coaching skills
Keen to improve and apply your coaching skills? We run coaching courses throughout the year, as well as a coaching in schools volunteering programme, which promotes:
- Active sports participation in the local community
- Awareness of further and higher education through sport
- Students volunteering in sports-related activities
- Coaching and participation opportunities for students in sport
- Student experience and leadership
You’ll have the opportunity to gain a sports coaching award, plus valuable experience for your CV. To find out how to get involved, email sport@kingston.ac.uk.
Become a volunteer
Want to learn new skills, boost your employability and build real-world experience? Our Volunteers Inspiring People via Sport (VIPS) programme gives all students the opportunity to get involved with sport in the local community.
To find out more, get in touch with our Sports Development Manager, Jo Heath, on +44 (0)20 8417 2412 or via email.
Get involved with a health and fitness initiative
Our free High 5 for Sport initiative gives you the chance to try five different sports every day of the week. Or why not join us for Health Week in the spring? It’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about our facilities and try out a range of classes. All abilities welcome.
Learn life skills with Fit for Purpose
Combine your lifestyle with physical and practical activities through our Fit for Purpose programme. Check out what’s on offer and how to get involved:
What?
Learn practical, realistic self-defence techniques from a female instructor in this free workshop.
Who?
Current Kingston students only.
How to book
Contact Jo Heath, Sports Development Manager, at J.Heath@kingston.ac.uk or on 020 8417 2412.
What?
Learn how to make a full diagnostic check, essential adjustments and repairs on your bike.
Who?
Current Kingston University students and staff who are keen to improve confidence in essential cycle maintenance skills. No prior knowledge required.
How to book?
For more information and booking, email sustainability@kingston.ac.uk.
What?
Boost your self-belief and physical fitness with our free ‘learn to swim’ and ‘gain confidence in the water’ lessons.
Who?
Current Kingston University students.
Where?
Nuffield Health Surbiton Fitness and Wellbeing Gym, Simpson Way, Surbiton KT6 4ER.
How to book
Contact Jo Heath, Sports Development Manager, at J.Heath@kingston.ac.uk or on 020 8417 2412.
What?
Try out the Swedish fitness craze that combines exercise and eco-friendly activity. Pick up plastic waste on your run, walk or bike ride and bring it back to us to earn prizes.
When?
Ongoing throughout the year.
Where?
Pick up a pair of gloves and a bag from the Sport and Active Lifestyle team in Grove House on Penrhyn Road.
How to get involved
Contact Jo Heath, Sports Development Manager, at J.Heath@kingston.ac.uk or on 020 8417 2412.
What?
Join our free allotment group for students, or grow your own vegetables through our Green Impact programme. Staff can join our staff KU Gardening Club.
Who?
Students can get involved with our allotment group
How to get involved
For more information, contact ukssustainability@kingston.ac.uk. To help rescue food in your local area, sign up to Too Good To Go and OLIO.
What?
Learn how to deliver CPR, use a defibrillator, help someone who is choking and recognise when someone is having a stroke. This free workshop really could be a life saver.
Who?
Kingston University students and staff.
When?
The next workshop is currently TBC.
How to book
You don’t need to book a space, just come along on the day. For more information, contact Jo Heath, Sports Development Manager, at J.Heath@kingston.ac.uk or on 020 8417 2412.
What?
Improve green spaces for wildlife in one of our biodiversity events. From wildlife surveys to habitat management, expect to get active, meet new people and gain skills that benefit the environment.
When?
The biodiversity events calendar is released in August each year. You can find the events as they go live on the Biodiversity Eventbrite Page.
How to book
To find out more or book your spot, email our Biodiversity and Landscape Manager, Sivi Sivanesan at S.Sivanesan@kingston.ac.uk.
Recreation sport and activities
Stay active and feel good
The active lifestyles programme has a range of activities available for Kingston University students. Some are free, while others are on offer at a discounted rate.
Keen to start a new activity but need some extra confidence? Our uGO iGO scheme pairs you up with a buddy, to go with you to the first few sessions of an activity or club.
To find out more, contact your Sport and Active Lifestyle team on 020 8417 2412/13 or at studenthub.kingston.ac.uk.
Learn simple but effective breathing and relaxation techniques on one of our free, virtual ‘Mind the Gap’ sessions.
Led by Michael, an experienced yoga and meditation instructor, each session creates a peaceful space for mindfulness and wellbeing.
To book your spot and find out more, email Michael@yogahara.com.
Get in touch
Our Sport and Active Lifestyles team is part of the Kingston University Student Wellbeing Group. We help provide health, wellbeing, personal development and sporting opportunities for students.
For more information about any of the initiatives, programmes and facilities on this page, contact the team via email or by calling +44 (0)20 8417 2413.
