Benefits of intramural sport play

Register now for winter 2024 intramural leagues!

With so many options for activity at Cougars Athletics and Recreation, it can be hard to select only one activity, but if you are seeking activity that is in a social, welcoming and fun environment, look no further than intramural sports.

With both advanced and recreational divisions for badminton, basketball, futsal, hockey and volleyball, there are numerous options for students, staff, faculty, and members of all skill levels.

In the most recent intramural participant survey 78 per cent of respondents agreed that their physical fitness level increased, 93 per cent agreed that the program provided opportunities for social interaction and 91 per cent stated that they felt comfortable being themselves while participating in intramurals.

Those are just a few of the benefits that come from signing up for an intramural team, regardless of the level of play.

"We know the demand for sport coming out of COVID is really there for our students," said Cougars Athletics and Recreation Sport Supervisor, Kirsten Kirwer. "We're just trying to offer as many opportunities as we can, and collaboration and getting feedback from our students on what they need and what they want is really important to us."

Kirwer says that the intramural staff focuses on augmenting the benefits of participation for each person who signs up.

"There are a lot of benefits to being active. Whether it's socially, physically or mentally," they said. "There is data out there that supports that being physically active as a university student does help with your grades.

"So [we] just focus on those major components and making sure that we're providing a positive environment for folks to come in and enjoy being active."

Stephany Gracini, a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education student at Mount Royal and student lead for basketball and badminton intramurals, thinks that the social aspect might be the best part of being involved with the program.

"I love the relationships that I get to build throughout the season. Not just with participants, but with staff as well," she said. "It's really heartwarming to run into participants outside of the court and have them say 'hi' and ask 'how are you doing?'"

"There was actually someone that came up to me, and it was the mother of one of our participants for basketball. She just thanked me for running the program and said how well organized it was and that it gave her son an opportunity to be social and active, and she was almost in tears. That definitely made the whole season for me."

While intramurals give registrants a chance to build their own teams, there is also a chance for "free agents" to come together, meet new people and develop new relationships with others who might not have the numbers to put together a full roster.

In fact, a free-agent team just claimed the fall championship in the advanced basketball league.

"It's really great to see when the free agents get together and end up enjoying playing together," Gracini said. "One of our main goals is the physical aspect, but I would say, for students, it's a way to de-stress.

"A lot of students really look forward to coming and playing after a long day at school. They're able to socialize and remove themselves from the stressful environment [of university.]"

For those interested in registering to play, signing up for an intramural team, or as a free agent, is easier than ever. Winter semester registration is available online at mru.ca/eplay, or they can sign up at MRU Recreation's front desk before January 11, 2024.

"I just love how busy our spaces get. I love seeing everyone come out and be active," Kirwer said when asked what her favourite part of being involved with the intramural program is. "There's high fives going on all over the place. Folks are happy to be here… It's just a really positive environment, and seeing relationships built over the season is a really positive thing for me.

"I want our students to feel like they belong in our spaces and have different avenues to be active in a way that's meaningful for them."

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