Sports Associations
‘A sound mind in a healthy body’ is a common expression these days, taken from an ancient Roman poet. This maxim has been found true by many over the last two millennia and it’s safe to say that many students in Groningen live by it: They follow a study programme and play a sport on a regular basis. To accommodate this there are many student sports clubs in Groningen!
For starters there are many clubs for internationally famous sports such as football, basketball, volleyball. Since these sports are practiced by many there are also some international teams active in Groningen. A sport specifically popular amongst students, made famous in Oxford and Cambridge, is rowing. Just like with our English counterparts there is an annual rowing regatta called the Varsity, taken very seriously by students active in rowing. In Groningen there are two large student rowing associations G.S.R. Aegir and A.G.S. Gyas. Aegir was founded as early as 1878! When coming to Groningen you can recognize most student sports clubs by an acronym with the letters G.S. meaning that they are a ‘Groningen Student’ sport association.
Groningen wouldn’t be in The Netherlands if there weren’t also ice-skate clubs. Though the weather may be chilly at times it isn’t always cold enough in the winter for the water to freeze. That’s why these clubs practice on the ice-rink in the north of Groningen. On the other side of Groningen is a lake, Paterswoldsemeer, which is used for ice-skating when it is cold enough. During the summer months when it’s just a large bulk of water there is a different sport club active on the lake. Then it is used for sailing, historically a popular sport in the Netherlands.
This large number of sports associations specifically for students are the result of the large student population in Groningen. They are not just clubs for students; they are also mostly run by them. Just as student associations they have boards for which students can apply. Expect to learn a lot when you’re a member of a board!
The motto ‘a sound mind in a healthy body’ is also taken in a social perspective by most of these clubs. They do not only create sporting possibilities but also organize various social get-togethers. Many of them have committees for you to join and organize other events for the club while being a member.
SPORT’S ASSOCIATIONS /CLUBS:
Joining a sports team could be a good way for you to gain a new skill/talent, be fit, practice communicating and working in a team, develop self-discipline and a really fun active way to socialise. Below are some of the larger sports associations in Groningen.
Ball Sports: These kinds of sports are a little more hands-on and interactive, where you participate in a larger team. Good for developing teamwork and communication skills.
Football: G.S.A.V.V. Forward, G.S.V.V. The Knickerbockers and (American) Groningen Giants
Basketball: G.S.V.B. De Groene Uilen - Moestasj
Floorball: U.C. Face Off
Volleyball: G.S.V.V. Donitas, V.V. Kroton, Veracles and (Beach) G.S.B.V. Tweeslag
Korfball: G.S.K.V. De Parabool
Fitness sports: These are more individualistic endurance based sports that can help develop self-discipline and agility.
Athletics and Running: G.S.A.V. Vitalis
Climbing: G.S.A.C. Groninger Studenten Alpen Club
Gymnastics: Stugg
Cycling: G.S.W.V. Tandje Hoger
Combat Sports: Sports like these are more of a physical type they can help develop awareness, patience and self-defence.
Boxing: G.S.V.B. Pugilicé
Jujitsu, Judo and Karate: G.S.B.V. De mattekloppers
Mixed Martial Arts: Deltaserat
Fencing: G.S.S.V Donar 1881
Stick sports: These sports include the added element of an instrument they are good for hand-eye coordination, technique and precision.
Golf: G.A.G.V. Pitch
Hockey: GSHC Forward, Groningsche Cricket and Hockey Club G.C.H.C.(unfortunately you can’t play cricket at GCHC anymore), (Ice) G.S.I.J.V. The Bulldogs and (Underwater) G.B.D. Calamari
Lacrosse: Lacrosse Groningen Gladiators
Squash: Squadraat
Tennis: G.S.T.C. Groninger Studenten Tennis Club, T.C.Veracket, Tennisclub Albertus Magnus TAM and (Table) G.S.T.V. Idefiix
Badminton: GSBC AMOR
Water sports: These kinds of sports are perhaps more for the adrenaline, nature types. For these sports, you learn how to succumb to the elements and work with them.
Rowing: A.G.S.R. Gyas and G.S.R. Aegir
Sailing: G.S.Z. Mayday
Skating: G.S.S.V. Tjas
Surfing: SurfAce
Swimming: G.S.Z.V. De Golfbreker
Waterskiing and Wakeboarding: G.S.W.V. The Bares
Waterpolo: G.S.Z.C. De Walvisch
Canoe sports: Groninger Kano Vereniging
Diving: Calamari G.B.D. and G.S.D.C. Ad Fundum
Other Sports: You might not think of these immediately, or consider them sports (chess), but they include the competitiveness and skill that sports are associated with.
Riding club: G.S.P.V. Parafrid
Chess: SISSA
Frisbee: Gronical Dizziness Ultimate Frisbee