During the first two weeks of the academic year, we run trials for TeamBU, our community of Performance Sport athletes who compete in British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) leagues and competitions. These are at a local, regional, national and, for some, international level.

We are committed to improving our BUCS ranking each year – we’re currently 37th out of over 150 other UK universities – so, if you are a talented athlete with a competitive nature who is looking to excel in your chosen sport while you study with us, then try out for TeamBU.

Bournemouth University Performance Sport Trials/Tasters 2025-26

If you’re competitive about your sport and want to represent BU in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions, attend a Performance Sport trial during arrivals fortnight.

Open to all abilities or someone wanting to try something new.

Competitive and experience required to play in the university team.

Please note these are subject to change so please regularly check our TeamBU social media.

If you cannot attend a trial or need more information, please come into SportBU reception or email [email protected].

Our women’s 1st rugby team won both the Western 2A league and the Western Conference Cup for the 2018/19 season
BU women's netball team celebrating scoring a point. We have three netball teams who represent BU and play in different tiers of the BUCS Western league, the Western Conference Cup and the Western Conference Plate
One of our women's volleyball teams in action. Volleyball is at the heart of our Performance Sport programme and receives significant investment for training, coaching and support services
TeamBU Football, our men's and women's Performance Sport teams, are coached and managed by AFC Bournemouth (AFCB) – a benefit of our long standing partnership with the club
Games of beach volleyball being played. Our coastal location and miles of sandy beaches make this the perfect spot to study while working on your beach volleyball skills
TeamBU hockey in action. In 2018/19, our women's 2nd team won the Western 5A league
Our men's rugby team playing a competitive game. We have two performance sport rugby teams (one men's and one women's) who play in the BUCS rugby union leagues
Our men's lacrosse team won the Western 2A league for the 2018/19 season
Both our men's and women's cricket teams experienced success at the end of the 2018/19 season. The men's 2nd team won the Western 3B league and the women's team were placed 3rd in the Western 1A league
BU 2019/20 Sports Scholar Megan Channon at a BUCS table tennis tournament

Membership

If you're successful in becoming a TeamBU athlete, either within a team or as an individual, you will be required to purchase a sport-specific membership each academic year.

This fee includes: BUCS affiliation fees, officials' fees, personal sports insurance (drop by SportBU reception for claim forms and any support you may need), weekly coaching and conditioning sessions, up to £80 discount off of SportBU Premium membership, TeamBU transport, a training t-shirt, access to the Sports Ball* and TeamBU photo day.

*Limited availability at this event.

Find out more about Performance Sport at BU