For many Dalhousie University students, intramural sports stand as a space to continue their athletic career and stay active during post-secondary education.
As this year’s fall intramural sports season comes to an end, the students who participated in the leagues recognize what joining has done for them. With such a large community of intramural athletes at Dalhousie, many see the league’s role as fundamental to their university experience.
For third-year biology chemistry major, Shanyn Bleeker, intramural sports was a way for her to make friends in first-year.
“It made my university experience an overall positive one,” said Bleeker.
Most Dalhousie intramurals are offered in both recreational and competitive leagues, of which two seasons are played. The focus of intramural teams is to have fun, get active and make friends.
Bringing more and more students into the world of athletics every year, the season starts just a few weeks into each semester, allowing for those new to Dalhousie to learn about and participate in the sport of their choosing at a casual level.
“It also allowed me to continue to be active as I transition into adult life,” said Bleeker. “Especially where sports were such a huge part of my livelihood growing up.”
Third-year actuarial science student Adam Wills joined the intramural league in his first year at Dal. His intramural athletics resumé includes volleyball, basketball, football and soccer.
“Intramurals contribute to a sense of belonging by giving students a team to be a part of,” said Wills..
Bleeker echoed this sentiment.
“Since university can be a bit of a struggle for some to go out of their way and meet people, intramurals are a great push to meet others with common interests,” said Bleeker.
Students who participate find the influence of intramurals in all aspects of their university life. Wills even got a widely used nickname, “Sports,” because he plays on so many teams.
To motivate intramural teams to participate in scheduled games and events, Dalhousie has implemented regulations for forfeits. In order for a team to concede for an upcoming game, an email must be sent to an intramural account informing them of the forfeit 24 hours in advance. If this is not done, a fine of $20 must be paid within a 48 hour period to the Dalplex front desk.
Wills said the university does a good job of supporting their intramural teams with up to date emails and called Dalhousie’s forfeit system excellent.
“It’s also nice that they have an actual prize for winning a league,” said Wills, referring to the black and gold t-shirt they those on championship teams win.
For students interested in joining the intramural community, two main routes are available.
If a student is living in a Dalhousie residence, they are encouraged to reach out to their residence hall teams. These are intramural teams based on which residence the student resides, whose goal is to connect students in the same residences.
If a student is living off campus they are encouraged to join through the Dal Athletics online portal, which has the forms and waivers necessary to join any intramural team for the upcoming season.
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