Sussexsport and Active US are excited to announce a packed week of events celebrating female fitness, sport and wellbeing on campus, as part of This BUCS Girl Can Week - a national campaign organised by British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).
Our very own This Sussex Girl Can week will be running from Monday 20 November–Sunday 26 November and we have a range of activities planned, including:
- Free Active US sessions all week for female students
- A Triple Trial Boxercise masterclass
- Weightlifting workshops
- Outdoor fit sessions
- Free martial arts club sessions for female newcomers
There'll also be lots of opportunities to grab some great giveaways, including This Sussex Girl Can t-shirts and gym bags, and the chance to win a Fitbit Flex 2.
You can follow the week on social media using the #ThisSussexGirlCan hashtag. And we want you to get involved and tell us what women’s fitness, sport and wellbeing means to you.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the latest updates and join the conversation.
In addition to the timetable below, our discounted swimming offer at local pools is available all year round - with women-only swim sessions available at all the pools included in the offer. St Luke's pool also run a weekly trans-friendly swim session; days and times can vary so please check with the pool directly for details.
- All sessions for this week are free of charge (excluding swimming) and open to all self-identified women, transgender and non-binary students and staff at Sussex, if you have any queries or concerns please get in touch.
- Check out the full timetable for the week below. Active US sessions and martial arts club tasters are drop-in events, with no need to book. For all other events, you will need to register your place via Eventbrite.
Monday 20 November
- Weightlifting Workshop (intermediates): 11am-12 noon
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Venue: Strength and Conditioning room, Falmer Sports Complex
Join Mark Beresford for a Weightlifting Workshop. This free session is perfect for those with some gym/lifting experience who want to better their technique and develop ability, with a focus on the key lifts.
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- Outdoor Fit session: 2.15pm-3pm
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Venue: Outdoor Fitness Area, Falmer Sports Complex
Join Henry for a free class using our exciting new Outdoor Fitness area at the Falmer Sports Complex.
Get tips and advice while trying out the Outdoor Fitness facilities in a fun class that uses bodyweight and calisthenics based exercises. The 45-minute class is designed to show you how to use and maximise the area, as well as providing you with a whole body workout. Henry will take you through the basics of bodyweight training and show you the initial progressions for certain exercises.
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- Active US Experienced Run: 5pm-6pm
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Venue: Meet at the Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Megan for an hour's run around campus and the surrounding countryside. This session for experienced runners takes place every Monday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Women's Football: 7pm-8pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Olivia for this drop-in women's football session that is non-competitive and open to all levels of experience, including complete beginners. This session takes place every Monday during term time.
Drop-in, no need to book.
Tuesday 21 November
- Active US Badminton: 1pm-3pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Amelia for a fun, non-competitive badminton session, open to all levels of experience including complete beginners! This session takes place every Tuesday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Women-only Circuits class: 2.30pm-3.30pm
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Venue: Sport Centre fitness room
Our regular weekly women-only session for all experience levels. This class also runs on Thursdays from 2.30pm-3.30pm throughout term time. Sessions are led by expert female instructors and structured around the needs of the group, with a focus on circuits training and/or spin workouts. Classes may include:
- Kettlebells
- Body weight
- Full body workout
- Spin workout using our indoor cycling bikes
Sussexsport members can book onto this class online, or using the iScuba app.
If you're not a member and don't have booking rights, please register your place using Eventbrite.
Wednesday 22 November
- Outdoor Fit session: 12 noon-1pm
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Venue: Outdoor Fitness Area, Falmer Sports Complex
Join John for a free class using our exciting new Outdoor Fitness area at the Falmer Sports Complex.
Get tips and advice while trying out the Outdoor Fitness facilities in a fun class that uses bodyweight and calisthenics based exercises. The 45-minute class is designed to show you how to use and maximise the area, as well as providing you with a whole body workout. John will take you through the basics of bodyweight training and show you the initial progressions for certain exercises.
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- Active US Ultimate Frisbee: 1.30pm-3.30pm
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Venue: Meet at the Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Ultimate Frisbee for a fun, non-competitive session, open to all levels of experience including complete beginners! This session takes place every Wednesday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Beginner's Run: 2pm-2.30pm
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Venue: Meet at the Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Megan for an 30-minute run around campus and the surrounding countryside. This session for beginner runners takes place every Wednesday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Experienced Run: 3pm-4pm
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Venue: Meet at the Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Megan for an hour's run around campus and the surrounding countryside. This session for experienced runners takes place every Wednesday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Integrated Martial Arts (IMA) Club taster session: 8.30pm-10pm
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Venue: Sport Centre Dojo
Join Sussex's IMA club for a training session, open to female staff and students at Sussex who do not belong to the club and who have not already had a free taster.
Training will enable you to: generate rapid massive impact with the arms and legs using Muay Thai kickboxing drills; clinch and control an opponent; use relaxed and effortless movement for locks; use throws and escapes; use ground fighting skills and pressure points.
The Integrated Martial Arts Club strengthens every muscle in the body, legs and arms and provides aerobic, anaerobic and plyometric exercise, while developing flexibility and co-ordination.
Drop in, no need to book.
- BUCS Wednesday showcase - all day
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Support our BUCS student sport clubs throughout the day: go to live fixtures and grab some food and drink at the Clubhouse - the Students' Union‘s newest bar on campus, located at the Falmer Sports Complex; head to the Sport Centre to cheer on our indoor sport teams, and follow our women's sports clubs' progress on the day on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
If you're in a sports club, make sure to customise your team photos on the day using the official This Girl Can app and share them with us using the #ThisSussexGirlCan hashtag!
Thursday 23 November
- Triple Trial Boxercise Masterclass: 12 noon-1pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Join Ria, Gemma and Donna for this special Boxercise class, which will challenge you with three different elements to provide a cardio and strengthening workout!
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- Women-only Circuits class: 2.30pm-3.30pm
-
Venue: Sport Centre fitness room
Our regular weekly women-only session for all experience levels. This class also runs on Tuesdays from 2.30pm-3.30pm throughout term time. Sessions are led by expert female instructors and structured around the needs of the group, with a focus on circuits training and/or spin workouts. Classes may include:
- Kettlebells
- Body weight
- Full body workout
- Spin workout using our indoor cycling bikes
Sussexsport members can book onto this class online, or using the iScuba app.
If you're not a member and don't have booking rights, please register your place using Eventbrite.
- Active US Women's Football: 6pm-7pm
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Venue: Falmer Sports Complex
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Olivia for this drop-in women's football session that is non-competitive and open to all levels of experience, including complete beginners. This session takes place every Thursday during term time.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Pan-Disability Football: 4pm-5pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Clara for this drop-in pan-disability football session, inclusive of all disabilities, which is non-competitive and open to all levels of experience. This session takes place every Thursday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Women's Cricket: 7pm-8pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Anna for this drop-in women's cricket session that is non-competitive and open to all levels of experience, including complete beginners. This session takes place every Thursday during term time.
Drop-in, no need to book.
Friday 24 November
- Weightlifting Workshop (beginners): 2pm-3pm
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Venue: Strength and Conditioning room, Falmer Sports Complex
Join Sussex student and Powerlifter Poppy Joshi for a Weightlifting Workshop. This free session is designed for absolute beginners who want to learn the basics of lifting and grow in confidence using free weight gym equipment.
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- UV Strong by Zumba rave! 5pm-6pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Get ready to get your glow on in this UV event to celebrate This Sussex Girl Can week. Everyone attending will get a FREE This Sussex Girl Can t-shirt, which you can customise with our UV paint on the night! Gemma Morris will be leading the session, which promises to be a colourful cardio workout.
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- UV Spin: 6pm-7pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Join Donna for this special spin session to celebrate This Sussex Girl Can week, we'll have UV paint at the ready for you!
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- UV Spin: 7pm-8pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Join Donna for this special spin session to celebrate This Sussex Girl Can week, we'll have UV paint at the ready for you!
Book your place via Eventbrite.
- Active US UV Volleyball: 8pm-10pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, this week's session will be a special UV event! This session takes place every Friday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
Saturday 25 November
- Kickboxing Club taster session: 2pm-3pm
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Venue: Sport Centre Dojo
Join Sussex's Kickboxing Club for a training session, open to female staff and students at Sussex who do not belong to the club and who have not already had a free taster.
Kickboxing is a sport that combines both Western boxing and Eastern martial arts. Training provides you with the opportunity to increase your fitness; build your confidence; learn practical self defence and improve your co-ordination and flexibility, all under the teaching of former World Level and Professional British Champion Chris Kent, and former Amateur World Champion and Professional European Champion Tiffany Williams.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Volleyball: 4pm-6pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Julia and Pete for this drop-in volleyball session that is non-competitive and open to all levels of experience, including complete beginners. This session takes place every Saturday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
Sunday 26 November
- Shaolin Kung Fu Club taster session: 12.30pm-2pm
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Venue: Sport Centre Dojo
Join Sussex's Shaolin Kung Fu Club for a training session, open to female staff and students at Sussex who do not belong to the club and who have not already had a free taster.
Training with the club will improve your fitness, flexibility and core strength while at the same time teaching you valuable self-defence skills.
You will also learn breathing exercises (chi gung), which promote mental relaxation and enhance health.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Women's Basketball: 1pm-2pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Megan for a fun, non-competitive session, open to all levels of experience including complete beginners! This session takes place every Sunday during term time.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Badminton: 4pm-6pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Amelia for a fun, non-competitive badminton session, open to all levels of experience including complete beginners! This session takes place every Sunday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Trampoline: 6pm-8pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, this session is for all experience levels and open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Netball: 6pm-8pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, join Georgia for a fun, non-competitive netball session, open to all levels of experience including complete beginners! This session takes place every Sunday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop in, no need to book.
- Active US Fencing: 6pm-8pm
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Venue: Sport Centre
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, this is a fun, non-competitive fencing session, open to all levels of experience including complete beginners! This session takes place every Sunday during term time and is open to all genders.
Drop-in, no need to book.
- Active US Bouldering: 6pm-8pm
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Venue: Boulder Brighton, Portslade
Part of the Active US weekly timetable, this off-campus climbing session runs throughout term time, catering for all experience levels and is open to all genders. A coach will take students from campus to the venue - meet at the East Slope carpark at 5.15pm to take the coach, or feel free to make your own way to Boulder Brighton and join us there!
Drop-in, no need to book.