Students who join a sports society are being offered big discounts at De Montfort University Leicester’s (DMU) QEII Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre as part of a commitment to improve performance on and off the pitch.
Dan Winney, Vice-President Student Activities at De Montfort Students’ Union, came up with the idea of offering a discount to anyone who joins one of the dozens of sports societies at DMU.
Leisure Centre heads and DMU immediately bought into the proposal as part of their ongoing commitment to recognise sport as a vital part of student life.
It means students who are members of a sports society and hold a DMU Active card can now buy a full year’s Gold membership, which gives access to the leisure centre’s superb facilities any time during opening hours, for just £132 instead of £175. It works out at just £2.53 a week to book time at the gym, pool, sports hall and studios. Students can also buy a membership covering just the academic year for £110.
DMU has already invested heavily in sport at the university with the imminent opening of new floodlit sports pitches, training pitches and clubhouse in Beaumont Leys, the £1million purchase of the Watershed, adjacent to the DMU campus, for sports and social societies to use, and grants awarded to sports teams to help them with coaching and buying equipment.
Dan said: “After I came up with the idea it all happened very quickly. I am thrilled our sports teams are being rewarded with this scheme.
“We are giving sport a big push this year and this offer means our sports teams can not only join the leisure centre for a big discount but also train together, practice together and form that all important bond sports teams need to succeed.
“We want all of our sports teams to develop a good professional attitude when they are competing and this is going to help achieve that. It will also be a good initiative to get even more people to sign up to a sports team and ensure they have a brilliant experience during their time at DMU.
“I’d like to thank the QEII staff and DMU for being so supportive.”
Tracy Glover of the QEII Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre, said: “Taking part in sport or leisure activities is a great way to meet new people, have fun and stay healthy. Playing sports not only has physical benefits but also gives you an outlet to release the pressures of everyday life and study in a focussed way. There are many qualities required in sport which are similar to those needed to gain employment (dedication, hardworking, reliable, problem solving, leadership and teamwork) and by developing this relationship with the DSU sports teams, along with the support of our leisure team to improve their fitness, stamina and strength, we hope to see the result of their hard working the future.”
The QEII leisure centre has earned high praise since it opened three years ago. Leicestershire County Cricket pros have called the gym world class and world rowing champion Emma Twigg used the leisure centre to keep her in peak condition while studying an MA at DMU last year.
In order to sign up for the DMU Active Card Holder Membership please visit the QEII Leisure Centre reception with your Active card and student card to arrange payment.
DMU Sports Society members who signed up for QEII membership prior to the offer can apply for the extra they paid to be refunded.
Anyone with further queries can visit the QEII leisure centre reception during opening hours.
Posted on Thursday 29 October 2015