Ranked one of the best programs seven years in a row
Growing up as a girl who wanted to play hockey, I was never faced with anything even remotely close to a struggle of finding a spot on a team. However, attending university and participating in Intramural sports, that struggle has become real. Oddly enough this is a struggle that I am quite proud of and grateful for.
The University of Guelph Intramural program welcomes around 7,000 participants every fall and winter semester. With such incredible interest, and a large variety of sports for every skill level, it is only fitting that the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association (CIRA) has ranked this intramural program one of the best for the past seven years.
With over 15 sports available, ranging from ultimate Frisbee, to innertube waterpolo, and everything in between, Gryphons have several reasons to be so attracted to the program. Not only does becoming involved lead to the obvious perks, such as a healthy lifestyle and a way to meet other students with common interests, it also doesn’t burn a hole in the student wallet. “Teams are only required to put down a performance bond at the beginning of the season to ensure they attend all their games,” explains Intramural co-coordinator Justin Toth. “If they attend all their games, they will get their bond returned, essentially allowing teams to play without paying a fee.”
Alongside the various kinds of sports available, Guelph’s intramural program also ensures every athlete – from beginner to advanced – has a comfortable place to compete. The levels of play include: competitive, fun, ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C.’ Competitive and ‘A’ levels cater to the athletes who desire a skilled and knowledgeable environment, while ‘fun’ and ‘C’ levels create a place for individuals with limited experience, or even for those who have never played before, while the ‘B’ level combines the best of both the competitive and fun worlds.
As if the large variety of sports and wide range of skill level wasn’t enough, the Guelph intramural program continues to provide ways for student athletes to expand their experience in the world of sports. “We’ve just added a new Multi-Sport League this year that allows teams to try out a wide range of our sport offerings,” Toth explains of the program improvements. “Teams compete against one another each week playing a different sport. This league allows players to try several different sports they might not have otherwise tried.”
The key to the success of the program, though, may very well be tied to the main focus of providing a time and space for students to enjoy themselves. The line: “HAVE FUN!! Enjoy yourself… play the game for FUN’s sake!!” can be seen in several places on the intramural program’s website, a true reminder of what sports are all about.
“Our number one priority is ensuring all players experience a fun and inclusive environment,” Toth explains, “With our high participation rates, you will always see players proudly wearing their Intramural Champion T-shirts on campus.”
Whether one has experienced an intramural championship or not, it is safe to say the University of Guelph’s intramural program is a champion in itself. Guaranteeing students a comfortable environment to participate in a sport they have played for as long as they can remember, or not at all, is quite a positive reflection for Gryphon athletics.