Supercharing teaching and learning - the power of #sport and physical activity by Jonathan Kantor
Sport and physical activity is a positive and important part of the lives of many university students. and staff. At The University of Manchester 28% of students and 5 % of staff are recorded as being actively involved in sport.
Prof Julia Buckingham (then President, Universities UK), has said "sport and physical activity are [important] to students, staff and the broader communities in world-leading positioned" which our universities are (Brunton and Mayne, 2020)
We summarise here key findings of recent reviews, reports and published papers outlining the positive association between participation in sport and outcomes planned to be achieved by the University of Manchester Teaching and Learning Plan for 2021-2025.
Jonathan Kantor, Lisa Morton-Smith, James Marenghi, Miara Pipe University of Manchester Sport, Professional Services
jonathan.kantor@manchester.ac.uk
Positive Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on Students
University Sport Benefits Student Recruitment
+
Sport is an important factor in student choice of university and for some, it was fundamental to the university's market position (Griffiths et al., 2017; cited by Brunton and Mayne, 2020) At Cardiff University, over 50% of students cited sport as significant influence on their choice of university (Cardiff University, 2023)
University Sport Is Associated with Better Student Retention Participation in sport is associated with better student retention when
compared to the broader student population that were not participating in sport (e.g. 4% vs 12% in one university) (Forrester, 2015; cited by Brunton and Mayne, 2020)
Student Sport leads to better Health & Wellbeing
Student sport and physical activity is associated with increases in
life satisfaction, happiness, and reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms (Brunton and Mayne, 2020). Over 50% of Cardiff students cited "it's good for my mental health" as a key motivator to take part in sport (Cardiff University, 2023)
University Sport and Better Graduate Attainment
Between Discussion: Synergies Sport and Teaching & Learning
Synergies exist between Sport and Teaching and Learning. Strategically, both the UoM T&L
2021-2025 plan and the UoM Sport Mission To deliver high quality sport and physical activity experiences for everyone at every level indicating future collaboration
with colleagues across the university ecosystem to positively impact upon:
Student recruitment (both UG & PGT) Access and participation plan targets (both domestic and international) Student retention & continuation rates
Student satisfaction (e.g. NSS) Support for student wellbeing Student attainment
Enhancing student attributes & skillsets for graduate employment / further study
Collaborating with T&L colleagues to also influence and shape the flexibility of delivery of programmes is important to support sport scholarship students that have potential great value to recruitment as ambassadors and in creating positive reputational
Sports participants at Cambridge University gained a higher percentage of first class and upper second-class degrees than non-sports-participants (Cambridge University, 2019)
Sport Is Associated with better Employment Outcomes Graduates who participated in sport earned £6,344 per year more than graduates who did no sport; graduates who further took part in sports volunteering earned £9,048 per year more (Brunton and
Mayne, 2020)
Sport Contributes to Universities' Civic and Global Agenda £1 spent on community sport and physical activity generates an economic and social return of £3.91 (Brunton and Mayne, 2020) £
impact.
Call to action
We are keen to develop a staff network understand the landscape and can support T&L to better current UoM where sport objectives.
References
Brunton J and Mayne V (2020) The value of university sport and physical activity. British Universities & Colleges Sport. Available from: www.bucs.org.uk/resources-page/the-value-of-university-sp...
Cardiff University (2023) The Value and Benefits of Sport at Cardiff University. (Unpublished report)
Forrester SA (2015). Benefits of Collegia giate Recreational Sports Participation: Results From the 2013 NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium Study. Recreational Sports Joumal. 39 (2) 15 St (2)
K Griffiths K Bullough 5, Shibli S and Wilson) (2017) The impact ton for higher education policy graduate employabimplications for higher education policy and practice.
Sport Policy and Politics, (2019) Sport & Academic Performance. University of Cambridge (2019) Sport Available from: www.sport.cam.ac.uk/sap
To work with us, follow the QR code to our Padlet padlet.com/jonathankantor/supercharging-teaching-and-lear...
Supercharing teaching and learning - the power of #sport and physical activity by Jonathan Kantor
Sport and physical activity is a positive and important part of the lives of many university students. and staff. At The University of Manchester 28% of students and 5 % of staff are recorded as being actively involved in sport.
Prof Julia Buckingham (then President, Universities UK), has said "sport and physical activity are [important] to students, staff and the broader communities in world-leading positioned" which our universities are (Brunton and Mayne, 2020)
We summarise here key findings of recent reviews, reports and published papers outlining the positive association between participation in sport and outcomes planned to be achieved by the University of Manchester Teaching and Learning Plan for 2021-2025.
Jonathan Kantor, Lisa Morton-Smith, James Marenghi, Miara Pipe University of Manchester Sport, Professional Services
jonathan.kantor@manchester.ac.uk
Positive Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on Students
University Sport Benefits Student Recruitment
+
Sport is an important factor in student choice of university and for some, it was fundamental to the university's market position (Griffiths et al., 2017; cited by Brunton and Mayne, 2020) At Cardiff University, over 50% of students cited sport as significant influence on their choice of university (Cardiff University, 2023)
University Sport Is Associated with Better Student Retention Participation in sport is associated with better student retention when
compared to the broader student population that were not participating in sport (e.g. 4% vs 12% in one university) (Forrester, 2015; cited by Brunton and Mayne, 2020)
Student Sport leads to better Health & Wellbeing
Student sport and physical activity is associated with increases in
life satisfaction, happiness, and reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms (Brunton and Mayne, 2020). Over 50% of Cardiff students cited "it's good for my mental health" as a key motivator to take part in sport (Cardiff University, 2023)
University Sport and Better Graduate Attainment
Between Discussion: Synergies Sport and Teaching & Learning
Synergies exist between Sport and Teaching and Learning. Strategically, both the UoM T&L
2021-2025 plan and the UoM Sport Mission To deliver high quality sport and physical activity experiences for everyone at every level indicating future collaboration
with colleagues across the university ecosystem to positively impact upon:
Student recruitment (both UG & PGT) Access and participation plan targets (both domestic and international) Student retention & continuation rates
Student satisfaction (e.g. NSS) Support for student wellbeing Student attainment
Enhancing student attributes & skillsets for graduate employment / further study
Collaborating with T&L colleagues to also influence and shape the flexibility of delivery of programmes is important to support sport scholarship students that have potential great value to recruitment as ambassadors and in creating positive reputational
Sports participants at Cambridge University gained a higher percentage of first class and upper second-class degrees than non-sports-participants (Cambridge University, 2019)
Sport Is Associated with better Employment Outcomes Graduates who participated in sport earned £6,344 per year more than graduates who did no sport; graduates who further took part in sports volunteering earned £9,048 per year more (Brunton and
Mayne, 2020)
Sport Contributes to Universities' Civic and Global Agenda £1 spent on community sport and physical activity generates an economic and social return of £3.91 (Brunton and Mayne, 2020) £
impact.
Call to action
We are keen to develop a staff network understand the landscape and can support T&L to better current UoM where sport objectives.
References
Brunton J and Mayne V (2020) The value of university sport and physical activity. British Universities & Colleges Sport. Available from: www.bucs.org.uk/resources-page/the-value-of-university-sp...
Cardiff University (2023) The Value and Benefits of Sport at Cardiff University. (Unpublished report)
Forrester SA (2015). Benefits of Collegia giate Recreational Sports Participation: Results From the 2013 NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium Study. Recreational Sports Joumal. 39 (2) 15 St (2)
K Griffiths K Bullough 5, Shibli S and Wilson) (2017) The impact ton for higher education policy graduate employabimplications for higher education policy and practice.
Sport Policy and Politics, (2019) Sport & Academic Performance. University of Cambridge (2019) Sport Available from: www.sport.cam.ac.uk/sap
To work with us, follow the QR code to our Padlet padlet.com/jonathankantor/supercharging-teaching-and-lear...