Why should you attend preseason? University of Warwick clubs explain what it’s all about

Ahead of the upcoming academic year, sports clubs at the University of Warwick offer preseason to their members and the incoming freshers. If you are looking to play a competitive sport at university, preseason is an opportunity to experience what this involves.

Some of the University of Warwick’s biggest sports clubs wrote to The Boar Sport about why freshers should attend preseason and how they can get involved.

Women’s Hockey 

Congratulations on your exam results! Whether you have never played hockey before, or are a hockey pro, the University of Warwick Women’s Hockey Club (UWWHC) can’t wait to welcome you into the club.
Preseason will give you a head start to life at Warwick, and will make settling into first year much easier as you will already have met so many friends. This relieves any worries that you may have about meeting new people.
As well as playing lots of hockey during preseason, there will also be a chance to experience what the social side of the club is like. The socials quickly bond people together and will hopefully get you excited to become part of the club.
As a club, we welcome freshers to join preseason between 10–14 September with all accommodation provided. If you are interested, please get in contact with Darcey Coates (Vice President) via email at darcey.coates@warwick.ac.uk, or join the Facebook group (UWWHC FRESHERS 24/25). We would love to see you there!

Men’s Hockey 

Whether you are a national league player or never picked up a stick before, preseason is a perfect way to start your time at Warwick. Starting on 9 September and lasting for around a week, it is a perfect way to get to know the University, Leamington, and other freshers before the start of Welcome Week. It will consist of daily training sessions making sure we are up to scratch before the start of the season and allowing us to assess your level to get you in the correct team for the start of the season. You will also have the opportunity to play in friendlies against other universities, as well as many nights out, often joint with the Women’s club.
You will have the opportunity to stay with a current member of the club (most likely on exec) and will be informed of what to bring once your spot has been confirmed. More details and the sign-up form are on our Instagram @UWMHC and website (www.theuniversityofwarwickhockeyclub.com).
We look forward to welcoming you to the club and guarantee you won’t regret coming to preseason, but if you can’t make it, don’t worry! Make sure to come and see us at the Sports Fair and follow our Instagram for other updates.

Men’s Football

If you are passionate about football and eager to make the most of your time at Warwick, preseason for UWMFC is an experience we cannot recommend enough. It is not just about getting a head start on your football journey; it is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the University’s sporting culture.
Throughout the week, you will have plenty of chances to play football, including potentially getting involved in matches against other universities. Preseason is also a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, whether they’re new students like you or from older years.
On top of that, preseason offers a chance to broaden your social circle beyond your course and year group. Meeting students from different years can provide valuable insights and support as you settle into university. If you are serious about football, preseason is an important opportunity for coaches, as well as second and third years, to see how you might fit into the teams in UWMFC.
So, if you are available I would hugely recommend applying via the @uwmfc Instagram account!

Women’s Netball

UWWNC’s preseason is an invaluable experience for anyone interested in competitive netball at Warwick. Open to all players, it offers the perfect blend of rigorous training and social integration, making it ideal for those looking to settle into university life while improving their netball skills. Over two weeks, participants stay at one of the Exec members’ houses, creating a close-knit environment where friendships are easily formed across year groups.
Preseason is particularly beneficial for freshers, easing the often daunting transition to university. Meeting fellow players before the academic year begins provides a sense of familiarity and comfort during Freshers’ Week, making the start of university life much more enjoyable. Additionally, the training sessions help players acclimatise to the university standard of netball, making the subsequent trials less intimidating.
Beyond the physical and social benefits, preseason offers practical advice from older members, such as tips and tricks about uni life, which can alleviate stress later in the year.
The welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to reconnect with netball after summer make preseason a highly recommended experience.

Men’s Rugby

Hello! We are UWRFC, the home of men’s rugby union at the University of Warwick. This September, from the 9th to the 20th, we will be hosting preseason. This is an opportunity that is open to everyone irrespective of your skill level: whether you are a complete beginner to the sport, or playing for club and country, we cannot recommend preseason to you enough.
We will be hosting a total of seven training sessions spread throughout the two weeks, alongside a variety of performance-based activities in the gym. Although, preseason is so much more than that. We will have a selection of socials with other sporting clubs at Warwick which offer you the perfect chance to meet new faces and settle into the university lifestyle before the pressures of the main term start. We also provide free accommodation in Leamington Spa.
You are all welcome to join us for however long you wish at any point throughout the above dates. Please check our Instagram @uwrfc for updates and links towards our freshers’ Facebook page. If you have any questions regarding how you can get involved, please drop us a message on the Instagram.

Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse

Participating in Warwick Lacrosse preseason provides an excellent opportunity to get to know everyone in the club and integrate seamlessly into the squad before the official season commences. It’s a prime chance to make friendships, establish connections with teammates, and feel confident before term begins.
Moreover, our preseason includes strength and conditioning (S&C) sessions designed to enhance physical fitness and performance for both our men’s and women’s teams in preparation for the season.
Preseason can help freshers settle into the club but also get to know Warwick as a whole. Starting university can be a daunting experience, so attending preseason can help with that transition as it goes beyond just the sport itself. Preseason gives a chance to freshers to make new friends before term starts and also ask as many questions as they like about being a university student to older students.