10 UniQue sports to try
UQ is currently ranked #2 in the world for sports-related subjects, a testament to our world-class sport facilities, research and training. But what is the definition of ‘sport’?
From quidditch to pickleball and everything in between, you may be surprised at some of the more unusual activities on offer at and around the University.
Here’s our top 10.
1. Aqua boxing
Exactly as the name suggests, this sport offered at the UQ Sport Aquatic Centre is boxing in a pool! Using special aqua boxing equipment, the fun and intense training sessions exert minimal impact on your joints but pack a mighty fitness punch when combined with water resistance. A great challenge!
If this sounds a bit too much, why not consider aqua running as a low/mid-range intensity alternative?
Suitable for: Athletes wanting to kick and punch – or ‘walk and run’ – without hurting themselves.
UQ options: One-hour sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7am (but note that classes are currently suspended due to pool repairs following the Brisbane floods).
Cost: UQ students: $16 casual entry / UQ community: $18 / Public: $22.
Image credit: UQ Sport
2. Disc golf
A game of disc golf in action. Image: HRAUN / Getty Images.
As the name suggests, disc golf is a game that involves throwing a plastic disc around a golf course (or similar). Rather than using a club to hit a ball into a hole in the ground as in traditional golf, discs are aimed at target baskets*, about a metre off the ground. The goal is still the same though – you want to make as few throws as possible to win.
This is a great, cheap sport to play that is definitely not the ‘most frustrating way to go for a walk’, as regular golf has sometimes been described!
* UQ rules have been modified to enable participants to aim for specific ‘non-basket’ targets, such as wooden benches, and players usually ‘wreak their havoc’ after dark.
Suitable for: Those who want to do something different with their mates that’s competitive but not too onerous.
UQ options: Download the rules through UQ Ultimate Disc Club and don’t hit any unsuspecting pedestrians!
Cost: Free!
A game of disc golf in action. Image: HRAUN / Getty Images.
A game of disc golf in action. Image: HRAUN / Getty Images.
3. Parkour
Parkour is a physical discipline that involves running, jumping and ‘flying’ to overcome obstacles, both physical and mental.
Developed in France in the late 1980s by a group of teenage friends, with inspiration from a training program used by the French Navy in the early 1900s, it has since spread across the world, incorporating climbing, swinging and rolling.
Although programs are not currently offered at UQ (but have been in the past), the St Lucia campus is conveniently located right next to Guyatt Park, home to the St Lucia Warrior Park, a ninja warrior-type obstacle course designed to boost fitness and agility. All welcome.
Suitable for: Those who want to develop themselves to ‘be strong to be useful’ while purposefully leaping through the air.
UQ options: Workshops and regular classes conducted through Brisbane Parkour Association.
Cost: Variable.
Image credit: Big Shot Theory / Adobe Stock.
4. Quidditch
UQ Quidditch team going for goal. Image: Caitlin Rapson.
Although not quite sky-borne, Quidditch at UQ is designed to mirror the Harry Potter books’ dangerous high-flying competition – but on land.
Seven players, each mounted on a broomstick, take the role of Seeker, Keeper, Beater or Chaser in order to gain more points than their opponents while chasing the golden snitch and/or throwing bludgers at players and quaffles into hoops.
UQ Quidditch is part of the UQ Harry Potter Alliance and the team trains weekly and competes monthly against other universities.
Suitable for: Ardent Harry Potter fans who want to physically be part of the magical world of wizardry.
UQ options: Weekly training on Saturdays, monthly games on Sundays.
Cost: UQ students: $2 membership, but additional costs apply for competitions to cover insurance (it’s a full contact sport).
UQ Quidditch team going for goal. Image: Caitlin Rapson.
UQ Quidditch team going for goal. Image: Caitlin Rapson.
5. Ultimate disc
This is another ‘disc’ game that is basically ‘organised frisbee’ offered through UQ Sport and the UQ Ultimate Disc Club.
This non-contact game combines elements of netball, AFL and American football, with the aim being to complete passes up the field until a catch is made in the end zone.
Suitable for: Anyone and everyone who likes catching and throwing – and if you’re really keen, you could one day play for Australia!
UQ options: Join the UQ Ultimate Disc Club team to enjoy Brisbane Frisbee League games on Mondays, social league games on Wednesdays, and training and other activities on the weekends – all held on grass playing fields at UQ St Lucia.
Cost: UQ students and others: around $50 per semester for social and $118 for Brisbane Frisbee League (training: free).
Image credit: NickyLloyd / Getty Images.
6. Dance, dance baby!
If organised sport is not really your go, UQ offers a range of dancing classes to get your body moving – rhythmically, of course. And you can always compete against others if you wish. UQU Clubs and Societies has several Dance Clubs including:
UQ Dance, which teaches a variety of Latin, swing and ballroom dance styles every Wednesday evening from 6–7pm on the grassy knoll, followed by social dancing until 9pm.
Cost: $5 membership.
UQ Dance enthusiasts practising their steps in the Union Complex. Image: Kate Garner, UQ Dance
UQ Dance enthusiasts practising their steps in the Union Complex. Image: Kate Garner, UQ Dance
UQ K-Pop Dance Club, which runs classes every Tuesday from 4–7pm outside the UQ Centre.
Cost: UQ students: $10 membership / Everyone else: $15 membership.
Learning the K-Pop moves. Image: Adi Anil, UQ K-Pop Dance Club
Learning the K-Pop moves. Image: Adi Anil, UQ K-Pop Dance Club
UQ Street Groove Dance Society, which offers classes and ‘battles’ in street dancing such as hip-hop, locking, popping, waacking, house and breaking.
Cost: UQ students: $30 membership / Everyone else: $40.
Street Groove Popping class, 2022. Image: Magali Rochat, UQ Street Groove
Keann and Shirley at Christmas Battle, 2021. Photo: UQ Street Groove
And UQ Sport offers Zumba classes as part of its group fitness program to get you feeling invigorated, refreshed and full of life.
7. Dodgeball
If you’re good at dodging household chores, angry magpies and getting caught in the rain, you could be good at dodging a ball.
Why not try out the game revived after the 2004 underdog movie of the same name and boost your fitness at the same time?
Dodgeball is a [6-person] team sport played on a court, using six balls to get opposing team players out – whether by hitting them or forcing them to step over the line.
It’s energetic and great fun! Head shots not recommended…
Suitable for: Those who like dodging, ducking, dipping, diving and dodging, and following honour rules to have fun and get fit.
UQ options: UQ Sport social games held on Mondays from 6pm each semester.
Cost: UQ students: $150 per 10-week season / UQ community: $150 per season / General public: $165 per season.
Image credit: Dodgeball on the court at UQ / UQ Sport.
Giant tennis being played in St Lucia's Great Court.
Giant tennis being played in St Lucia's Great Court.
8. Pick up and play
Giant tennis being played in St Lucia's Great Court.
For UQ students low on funds and high on fun, these weekly Wednesday lunchtime sessions organised by UQ Sport in the Great Court give you the chance to try something different, have fun and meet new people.
Activities include Vortex Target, Giant Tennis and Lawn Games.
Suitable for: Those who really don’t know what they want from a sport and want to try a bit of everything.
UQ options: Every Wednesday 12-2pm during semester.
Cost: UQ students: FREE!
9. Pickleball
A mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis, Pickleball is the latest craze to hit the courts and is now available at the UQ Tennis Club through its Open Court Sessions program.
Hire your paddles, buy a ball and learn the rules in minutes. Or join the Brisbane Pickleball Club for some friendly competition.
Then, play for a lifetime of fun and frivolity – or super-competitive strategy!
Suitable for: Young and old, and for those with quick reflexes and good aim, who want a lower impact net sport that’s easy to pick up.
UQ options: Two courts available for hire at the UQ Tennis Centre, St Lucia; different times each week.
Cost: UQ students: $16 per 30-minute session / UQ community: $17 / General public: $21.
Image credit: Pickleball equipment. / UQ Sport
10. Snowsports
Snowsports in a city without snow? Is that even possible?
At UQ, the UQ Ski and Snowsports Society (UQ Ski) makes it happen through an annual overseas ski trip, along with regular local adventures such as ice skating, and faux skiing/snowboarding at Urban Xtreme.
Image credit: UQ Ski members on the snowfield. / UQ Ski.
Image credit: UQ Ski members on the snowfield. / UQ Ski.
Enjoy the club’s many social activities to get you ready for après-ski too…
Suitable for: Anyone – novice or experienced – with a passion for snowsports and an appetite for fun.
UQ options: Regular social functions and annual ski trip.
Cost: $5 membership: everyone welcome.
‘UniQue’ sports not quite your style? Why not ‘dive deep’ or ‘fly high’ a bit differently?
UQ Sport may be putting out a call sometime soon to try Underwater Hockey. This AMAZING non-contact underwater sport will really test those lungs, but in a super-enjoyable way, of course!
And UQ Sport offers a range of Martial Arts that let you leap and kick to your heart’s content.
Or ‘stay grounded’ and stretch your ‘mental muscle’ instead…
UQU Clubs and Societies have LOTS of different groups you can join, and you don’t necessarily have to be a student.
Look out for the Queensland University Games Society, UQ Chess Club, UQ Debating Society, UQ Linguistics Society or even the UQ Formula Motor Racing Society that you can join for just $5 membership fees (UQ student) per annum.
Built with Shorthand