Engaging university students in sport and active recreation

Abstract

Engaging more students in sport and active recreation is increasingly being recognised by national organisations as a way of contributing to raising population physical activity levels by making sport a habit for life (Sport England, 2015). The expert group for health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) across Europe specifically states that “Universities, in particular, are considered important contexts for the promotion of HEPA” (EC, 2015, p.5). Engaging students in sport and active recreation has numerous benefits for universities that are increasingly being recognised by external organisations such as the European Commission (EC), highlighting the contributions higher education can make to graduate employability (EC, 2015). Similarly the sports strategy in England also recognises the importance of the Higher Education (HE) sector for achieving national ambitions through sport as well as the role of graduates in contributing to sport and employability through sports volunteering (HM Government, 2015).