It’s inevitable that you’ll get bogged down in the books this year, but remembering to stay fit and active will help you focus at school and feel good. At U of T, there are a number of ways to participate in sports — whether you have years of competitive experience or have never laid eyes on a field. With various fitness centres, intramural teams, and classes, there are ample opportunities to complement your academic activity with physical activity.
Join a Varsity Team
The Varsity Blues women's basketball team. FILE PHOTO: BERNARDA GOSPIC/THE VARSITY
U of T has 44 mens’ and womens’ varsity teams, ranging from hockey and mountain biking to basketball and figure skating. Students are encouraged to contact coaches if they are interested in competing on a team, but also have the option of attending an open tryout — the dates of which are posted on the Varsity Blues’ website. Taking part in the varsity program allows students to learn time management skills, compete in a high-level sport, and become a part of a tight-knit group of athletes.
Join a Tri-Campus Team
U of T students are provided with a unique opportunity to play a sport at competition level between the varsity and intramural levels. The Tri-Campus program involves students from each of the three campuses — Mississauga, St. George, and Scarborough — facing off against one another in various sports, including basketball, volleyball, and soccer. The level of competition is high, so students seeking a challenge less competitive than the varsity level or who prefer not to make the time commitment to a varsity team have an on-campus league in which to compete.
Join an Intramural Team
Women's intramural soccer. FILE PHOTO: ROB LEONE/THE VARSITY
The U of T intramural program provides an impressive assortment of options, including ultimate, cricket, softball, and volleyball. Most sports are offered at both a competitive and recreational level, so faculties, colleges, and student groups have the chance to compete at whichever level best suits their teams. Teams compete about once a week, allowing students to get physical activity that is far more fun than running around a track. Students interested in joining one of these teams should contact the administration at their faculty or college for more information.
The Athletic Centre and Hart House
The Athletic Centre (AC) is the largest athletic facility at U of T, home to a variety of workout rooms, pools, and classrooms for students in the Physical Education and Kinesiology programs. Intramural sports, Tri-Campus sports, and varsity sports also take place here, and students can usually watch the games for free. The MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic is located in the basement of the building, allowing students with athletic injuries to conveniently travel from their workout area to the clinic to receive treatment. Contrasting with the modern look of the ac, the Hart House gym has a rustic feel to it, and many students prefer to go there because of the “less intense” atmosphere. Hart House has similar facilities to the AC, but on a smaller scale. It tends to have longer hours than the AC — primarily on weekends, when the AC closes at 5:00 pm. Both the AC and Hart House regularly host many cheap or free fitness classes and drop-in classes, providing students with a fun way to incorporate physical activity into their schedule.
Clubs
Campuses and colleges have hundreds of clubs, many of which allow students to participate in sports and other physical activities that are not widely available on campus. Information about these clubs can be found through online club directories or through student representatives.
Other ways to stay active
Students can also stay active on campus by walking or biking to classes, finding running routes around campus, and using the Bixi Bike service — which has several parking locations on campus. Students should also note whether their college has its own gym, or if there is a similar facility in their residence building.
