News for home page. The latest four new stories will be displayed in date order.

Christmas Opening Hours 2019

Mike Walker
November 25, 2019
The Edge

Be sure to fit in your fitness over the holidays!

The Edge opening hours will be as follows throughout the Christmas holiday period:

DateFacility Opening Hours
Friday 13th December 201906:30 – 18:30*
Saturday 21st December 2019Normal opening hours
Sunday 22nd December 2019Normal opening hours
Monday 23rd December 2019Normal opening hours
Tuesday 24th December 201908:00 – 14:00
Wednesday 25th December 2019Closed
Thursday 26th December 2019Closed
Friday 27th December 201910:00 – 17:00
Saturday 28th December 201910:00 – 17:00
Sunday 29th December 201910:00 – 17:00
Monday 30th December 201910:00 – 17:00
Tuesday 31st December 201908:00 – 14:00
Wednesday 1st January 2020Closed
Thursday 2nd January 2020Normal opening hours

*This closure is due to essential maintenance works, resulting in a loss of heating and hot water during the evening.

Please note that on days with reduced opening hours, all Edge Club members will be able to use all the facilities at any time of day.

There will also be no women’s only swim and gym sessions on the above dates.

The Exercise Class timetable will be reduced over the Christmas period and can be found here.

Our swimming pool timetables can be found here.

Parking will be available at any time for customers on days with reduced opening hours (December 24th – January 2nd). Members who have registered their car can benefit from unlimited parking during these days, and all other members or pay as you go customers can use a 3 hour free parking code at any time during these days.

 

Looking for a taste of The Edge this Christmas?

Check out our Christmas promotion today!

 

Women’s Rugby Union Team Make History at Varsity

Emily Halsall
October 3, 2019
Women's rugby varsity

The Gryphons may not have retained their Varsity title, however Varsity 2019 shall go down in the history books; our women’s Rugby Union 1st team played for the first time ever at Emerald Headingley Stadium.

Leeds Varsity is the annual inter-university sports Varsity between arch rivals University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. It began in January with the cross country and culminated, as it does every year, with the Rugby Union finale held up at Emerald Headingley Stadium where over 10,000 students cheered on their team from the stands.

Unfortunately for the Gryphons, Leeds Beckett have taken the title for this year. Lydia Evans, LUU Activities Officer said:

“Despite the result, it’s been a great day of sport for the Gryphons and every one of our athletes should feel proud to have represented their clubs.”

However, it was a historic moment for the women’s Rugby Union 1st team on Wednesday night, as they took to the pitch for the first time to compete against Leeds Beckett in front of the 10,000 strong crowd at Headingley Stadium. Ashley Ross, the women’s captain said:

“The experience of playing our varsity match with such a huge crowd was incredible, and not one that any of us will forget! It’s a special honour, especially for a university team, and it’s especially significant for us as a women’s team as we often struggle to get the same status as men’s sport. It feels like a massive step forward for gender equality and women in sport – not just playing for our team but every other women’s team who hasn’t had the same opportunity as men. Even though Beckett are our rivals, it’s a great achievement for them too. Winning was an amazing bonus on top of that! We’ll all definitely be celebrating tonight! The opportunity to play in the stadium is one we have been working towards for such a long time now so to see it all come together has been incredible. Thanks very much to everyone who came to support us!”

Our Gryphons put on a stellar performance over 60 fixtures including athletics, handball, tennis and lacrosse. Suzanne Glavin, Head of Sport commented;

“I’m really proud of all our Gryphons who played their best whilst representing University of Leeds. It was especially exciting this year to see our women’s rugby union club playing at Headingley with such great support from the student crowd.”

A full list of the results can be found here, and keep an eye out on our social media channels for photos and videos from the day. See you all again in 2020.

Henley Royal Regatta – Brigham’s Dream Debut

Beth Stanfield
July 11, 2019

The 2019 Henley Royal Regatta took place from 3 to 7 July and is the best-known regatta in the world.

Sports Scholar Matt Brigham qualified for the Diamond Challenge sculls on Friday 28 June. He would face double Olympic champion and six-time Henley winner, Mahe Drysdale on Thursday 4 July. Matt caused the biggest upset of the regatta and knocked Drysdale out, beating him by three and a half lengths! The entire rowing community was talking about Matt; he became an overnight sensation!
The next day, Matt faced world U23 medalist Luuk Adema from the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately Matt lost the race by two lengths and Adema progressed to the semifinals. 

Sports Scholar Matt Brigham rowing at the Henley Royal Regatta against double olympic champion Mahe Drysdale

Matt has only been rowing for four years since he started at the University of Leeds to study Medicine. He joined the GB Start programme two years ago, having swam his whole life. GB Start is a specialist talent identification programme that trains and develop athletes for the GB Rowing Team. Matt was rowing as an intermediate in his second year, so his progress has been phenomenal.
Matt trains with the University of Leeds Boat Club at the Leeds Boat House with GB Start coach, Matt Paul, and Head of Rowing, Dan Grant.

University of Leeds Boat Club Legends Crew at Henley Royal Regatta 2019

In addition to Matt’s success, the University of Leeds Boat Club had a boat of legends in the Centenary Row Past crew to celebrate their 100th year. 

The crew was made up of: Emma Lindsay (Cox), Ella Murphy, Jordan Bryne, Steve O’Connor, Ben Cox, Helen Brown, Grace Clough, Chris Williams and Tom Clements.

Finally, a huge congratulations to Matt for his fantastic Henley Royal debut and the Boat Club on a great year.

University of Leeds Boat Club Legends Crew in the row past at henley royal regatta 2019

Photographs courtesy of University of Leeds Boat Club.

Changes to Pay-As-You-Go Prices

Mike Walker
July 9, 2019
The Edge

After careful consideration, due to increases in our operational costs such as energy and staffing, and additional facility investment we will be making some small changes to our pay-as-you-go prices. We have worked hard to develop a simplified pay-as-you-go offer and this is the first time we have increased certain prices since opening The Edge in May 2010.

We have ensured we have kept a discount for the University staff and student community, as well as maintaining our quality and price within the market place.

We have retained our 12 for 10 swimming pass offer, meaning a single swim will only cost you £4.58, at any time, if you are a University of Leeds staff or student non Edge member.

Please click here to see the newly revised price list, which will come into effect from Augst 1st 2019.

For more information and enquiries about the price changes please contact sport@leeds.ac.uk

If you are are a regular pay-as-you-go user, why not take out an Edge membership with prices starting from as little as £22.62 per month, or £190 per year. Make a saving on all your weekly visits to The Edge! Contact the Membership Team for more information.

Changes to Edge Memberships

Mike Walker
July 9, 2019
Edge weights room

From 1 August 2019 we will be introducing some exciting new changes to our current Edge membership offer!

After collecting customer feedback, careful insight, market research and analysing our current offer, we have developed a simplified and more appealing Edge offer for you to enjoy.

Edge Club Premium is getting more premium!

  • University of Leeds staff and students; if you purchase a Premium Annual membership you can now enjoy access to over 60 other university gyms across the country through the BUCS UNIversal gym scheme. Perfect for when you are at home over the University holidays, visiting a friend at another University or travelling with work.
  • Discounts exclusive for Premium members on personal training Enjoy four sessions for the price of three.
  • Discounted Physiotherapy at our on-campus clinic.
  • Discounts on Edge courses.
  • Two free Body Analysis tests per year.
  • Access your personal Netflix and BBC iPlayer accounts through our Technogym gym screens.
  • Exclusive free invites to some of our other facilities such as Selside Outdoor Centre, Yorkshire Dales.

 

Edge Club membership – gym and swimming pool access times are changing

Edge Club members; you can enjoy your usual 6:30am – 12 noon (last access 11:30am) weekday access and now also all weekend! That’s 7:30am – 9pm on Saturdays and Sundays! We are removing the 2-4pm weekday slot and hope you enjoy the additional hours of weekend use.

If you are an existing Edge Club member and don’t want to change your current access times, don’t worry we have you covered; just get in contact with us and your current Edge Club membership will continue as normal. Please email the Membership Services Team.

Remember the access times referred to are only for swimming pool and gym access. If you have Edge Club membership you can still access other activities such as group exercise classes, squash, climbing etc. anytime during the full week (subject to availability and booking).

 

We will stop selling Edge Club Extra as a membership

From 1st August Edge Club Extra will not be available for sale or membership renewal. We will only be selling our newly improved Edge Club and Edge Club Premium memberships.

However, if you are an existing Edge Club Extra annual or monthly member; don’t worry, your membership will continue as normal until it expires/you cancel it. If you would like to switch over to our newly improved Edge Club and Edge Club Premium memberships please let us know and we can quickly switch you over.

 

No more additional charges for some activities

Previously, if you were an Alumni, Public, NHS Trust or Non University of Leeds Student member you would have had to have paid an additional charge for activities such as climbing, squash and booking sports halls. We want to keep things as simple as possible and give you the full Edge experience, so now these are all included in your Edge membership at no extra charge (subject to booking and availability). So mix up your workout and enjoy a game of squash, badminton, basketball or have a clamber on our climbing wall.

We hope you are as excited about the above changes as we are. If you have any questions about your membership please contact our Membership Services Team, or if you are interested in purchasing a new Edge membership please contact the Membership Team.

 

From 1st August there will be changes to the prices of our Edge Memberships

After careful consideration, due to increases in our operational costs such as energy and staffing, the above improvements, and additional facility investment we will be making some small changes to our membership prices from 1st August 2019.

The new membership prices are shown below:

Edge Club Premium

Annual – £290

Monthly – £34.52

Edge Club 

Annual – £190

Monthly – £22.62

Sports Pass 

Annual – £80

Edge Club Premium

Annual – £415

Monthly – £40.69

Edge Club 

Annual – £315

Monthly – £30.88

Sports Pass 

Annual – £102

Monthly – £8.50

We will still be offering 15% off the below for graduates within one year of graduating.

Edge Club Premium

Annual – £465

Monthly – £45.59

Edge Club 

Annual – £365

Monthly – £35.78

Edge Club Premium

Annual – £540

Monthly – £51.14

Edge Club 

Annual – £440

Monthly – £41.67

Edge Club Premium

Annual – £415

Monthly – £40.69

Edge Club Premium

Annual – £415

Monthly – £40.69

Edge Club 

Annual – £315

Monthly – £30.88

 

Please note monthly membership payment prices will change automatically from 1st August 2019, you do not need to do anything. If you have an annual membership, you also do not have to do anything and you will incur no extra charge. When you come to renew you will have to do so on the above prices. If you have any questions about a price change to your membership please contact our Membership Services Team by email.

 

And finally, in line with our vision to continually improve your experience, we have a number of exciting new developments and facility improvements for 2019/20.

We are investing in The Edge and our other Sport & Physical Activities including:

  • £115k investment into updating and improving our swimming pool to make it an even better place for you to swim. Take a read of the full story here.
  • A brand new wooden sprung floor and new sport-specific line markings are being installed in Sports Hall 1 ready for use July 2019.
  • Installation of new digital display TVs, including digital swimming pool timetable to enable us to improve communication of timetables and swimming pool updates.
  • £55k spent at Sports Park Weetwood and Bodington Playing Fields improving the access at both facilities with new fencing and walkways.
  • We have proposed plans to invest in Bodington Playing Fields. Work includes providing three new artificial grass football pitches with an ancillary pavilion building, access and car parking facilities. Take a read of the project proposal here.

 

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your valued custom and hope you continue to enjoy your membership at The Edge.

 

Use 69 gyms nationwide at no extra cost

Tilly Hall
June 27, 2019
want free access to uni gyms across the country?

As part of the UNIversal Gym Membership scheme all staff and student annual premium Edge members can access 69 gyms nationwide at no extra cost.

This fantastic member benefit is perfect for anyone visiting friends or family across the UK who want to use the gym in a different city. It also means that students can use the University gym closest to them at home when back for the holidays.

How does it work?

  • Buy your staff or student Annual Premium Edge Membership online here
  • Pick up your UNIversal membership card from The Edge reception. Alternatively, if you aren’t in Leeds contact The Edge and get your membership card sent to your home address.
  • Take your student or staff ID card along with your UNIversal Gym Membership card to gain access to 69 University gyms across the UK

Can I get a UNIversal Gym Membership Card?

The UNIversal gym memberships are available to all staff and students who have an annual premium Edge membership.

If you’ve not got your Edge premium membership yet, buy it online now.

Student Membership Staff Membership

If you have any questions please email: edgemembershipservices@leeds.ac.uk to speak to a member of the team.

Which university gyms are included? 

For a full list of gyms included in the scheme and for more information, visit the BUCS webpage here.

Swimming Pool Closure – £115k Investment

Emily Halsall
June 6, 2019
Leeds Sport Swimming Lessons

We are investing £115k into updating and improving our swimming pool to make it an even better place for you to swim. For us to be able to complete the works, we need to close the swimming pool for just over two weeks between Monday 29 July and Tuesday 13 August.

This is the first time we have had a major pool closure for maintenance works since we opened in May 2010. Some of the works are essential health and safety requirements; replacing equipment that is at the end of its life span, and whilst the pool is closed for these, we will also be taking the opportunity to make further improvements to the wet-side areas of The Edge.

We recognise that closing a facility for any period of time is inconvenient for our members, but we have worked hard with contractors; spending an extra £7k, to bring the closure from an initial four, to just over two weeks, and in addition sought to find alternative solutions for you to swim during the closed period, details of which are below.

The last time you will be able to use the swimming pool will be on Sunday 28 July 9pm (last entry 8:30pm), and the first re-entry to the facility on Wednesday 14 August 6:30am.

 

Project work to be completed: 

  • Deep cleaning and re-grouting of the changing rooms and poolside floor.
  • The Sauna and Steam Room will undergo refurbishments.
  • Installation of new showers outside the Sauna and Steam Room.
  • Installation of brand new pool filters. It is recommended that swimming pool filters need to be changed every eight – ten years and this will be the first time this essential work has been carried out at The Edge.
  • Replacing broken poolside tiling.
  • Replacing the underwater lights.
  • Installation of a new colour swimming pool display unit.
  • New timing clocks so you can easily record your new personal swim best!

 

If you wish to swim during the closure period, we have set up an alternative arrangement with Leeds City Council local swimming pools;

  • If you are a University of Leeds Staff, Public, Alumni, NHS Trust, Corporate or Non- University of Leeds Student Edge member, simply show your green membership card at any of the below pools to enjoy a free swim.
  • If you are a University of Leeds student member, please come along to The Edge reception from week commencing 15th July where you will be issued with a green Edge card. Please take this with you to one of the below swimming pools to enjoy a free swim. Please be aware that your student card will not grant you access.

We recommend that you contact the specific swimming pool you wish to use in advance to check on their timetable, programming and availability.

Available Alternative Swimming Pools:

 

LS12 3HB

0113 3367880

armley.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS21 2BB

01943 466852

chippindale.pool@leeds.gov.uk

LS8 3LF

0113 3781260

fearnville.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS16 7RX

0113 3781301

holtpark.active@leeds.gov.uk

LS11 5DJ

0113 3788000

jccs@leeds.gov.uk

LS15 8TA

0113 3782280

johnsmeaton.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS25 7LQ

0113 3781275

kippax.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS5 3BE

0113 3782086

kirkstall.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS27 9JP

0113 3367890

morley.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS28 7BE

0113 3367686

pudsey.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS26 8EL

0113 3367530

rothwell.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS7 3DT

0113 3781285

scotthall.lc@leeds.gov.uk

LS22 5FN

0113 3781265

wetherby.lc@leeds.gov.uk

 

 

If you are a swimming lesson customer and want to find out what will happen to your usual lessons, please click here.

Make sure to keep updated with the investment project by following #EdgeInfo on Facebook and Twitter

If you would like any further information, or have any questions about the swimming pool closure please contact us here.

.

Summer Offer at The Edge

admin
May 16, 2019
summer 2019 promotion offer at The Edge

Get your summer in shape!

Wondering how you’ll fit your fitness around your summer plans? The Edge has you covered.

With our flexible summer promotion, you can choose between one, two or three month premium options to make sure you strike the perfect balance between summer fitness and fun.

Our summer memberships give you unlimited access to our:

Check out our opening times and timetables here.

Already an Edge member? It’s the perfect chance to get your friends along for a break from the barbeques and beer gardens.

  • 1 Month = £35
  • 2 Months = £60 (works out at £30 per month)
  • 3 Months = £75 (works out at £25 per month)

Buy today!

To sign up to our summer promotion, simply buy online or come into The Edge Reception. Memberships are available from June 1 onwards! For more information please contact the Sales and Marketing team.

Buy online

Please be aware of our planned swimming pool closure.

We are investing £115k into updating and improving our swimming pool to make it an even better place for you to swim. For us to be able to complete the works, we need to close the swimming pool for just over two weeks between Monday 29 July and Tuesday 13 August.

Find out how you can still swim for free on our Summer Promotion during the closure weeks here.

 

FAQs

The summer promotion is a premium promotion across the months of June, July and August. 1 month = £35, 2 months = £60 (£30 per month) and 3 months = £75 (£25 per month)

The summer promo can be purchased from May until August 15th

The offer is available on our online store: https://sportsbookings.leeds.ac.uk/OnlineMemberships

  • The 3-month membership is available until June 30th
  • The 2-month membership is available until July 31st
  • The 1-month membership is available until August 15th
  • All memberships will expire on or before August 31st regardless of purchase date

All payments are made up front

The summer promotion members will have the normal access to car parking.

https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/the-edge/campus-car-parking/

 

Terms and conditions

  1. Memberships are premium, excluding the use of the BUCs university gym membership scheme
  2. Memberships can start from 1st June, all memberships expire 31st August
  3. Months covered include June, July and August
  4. Upfront payment, no contract, no joining fee
  5. Multi-month memberships must be consecutive
  6. This offer is not transferable from one individual to another

100 Years of British University Sport

Beth Stanfield
May 15, 2019
Cleckheaton Athletics, Women's 100m, 1974
This year marks 100 years of British University Sport (now known as BUCS). The University of Leeds was one of the original ten founding members.

Despite being called BUCS today, British University Sport began 100 years ago thanks to the formation of the Inter-varsity board of England and Wales in 1919.

Firstly, in February 1918, the Presidents of University Unions conference in Manchester called for the need to establish an ‘association’ to promote the development of sport at university. Afterwards, the Inter-Varsity Athletics Board of England and Wales held its first ever inter-varsity meeting consisting of nine universities.

Uni of Leeds Athletics Club, 1930

University of Leeds Athletics Club, 1930. Courtesy of the University of Leeds Special Collections.

Following on from this, in March 1919, the board formalised the first ever athletics meeting involving ten universities.
We are one of the ten founding institutions; alongside Aberystwyth, Bangor, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Nottingham, Manchester and Sheffield.

So, on the 28th May 1919, the first ever athletic meet took place in Manchester. Nine of the ten founding universities competed and this marked the official beginning of University sport in the UK.

In 1922, other sports added to the programme were hockey, association football, rugby union and swimming. If you want to read more about the history of BUCS and university sport, visit the BUCS website here.

University of Leeds Women's Hockey, 1912

University of Leeds Women’s Hockey, 1912. Courtesy of Frances Cook.

We’ve worked with the Alumni Office to gather historic photographs of our sports teams from the last 100 years (and more!). Have a browse through our Facebook album here.

Finally, if you have any memories or photographs of your sporting days at Leeds, please submit them to us via this form and we’ll share the best ones.

University of Leeds Devonshire Hall Football 1970-71

University of Leeds Devonshire Hall Football 1970-71

BUCS have launched a Hall of Fame and ‘100 People of University Sport‘ to commemorate the centenary of British University Sport.

Sports Colours Awards – Winners Revealed

Beth Stanfield
May 3, 2019
A selection of silver trophies
The annual Sports Colours Awards took place on Wednesday 1st May in the University of Leeds Refectory.

There were over 250 guests in attendance, from a whole range of Leeds Sport clubs.

the stage in the refectofry with 'celebrate week' in gold ballons over the stage

Photo by ELOUISA GEORGIOU PHOTOGRAPHY

We can now reveal the winners of each award category are: 

  • Social Leagues Team of the Year – CU Netball
  • Gryphon Leadership Award – Annalisa Townsend
  • Sue Jacklin Club Coach of the Year – Aidan Lewis (Football/Futsal)
  • Mike Brook Performance Coach of the Year – Steve Grime (Football)
  • Mike Brook Most Improved Team of the Year – Ice Hockey A
  • Chris Hatton Award for Most Improved Athlete – Damla Harmanci (Women’s Rugby Union)
  • Most Improved Club of the Year – Volleyball
  • Committee Member of the Year – Matty Powell (Squash)
  • James Burke Team of the Year – Women’s Ski Duals
  • Roberts Award for Most Outstanding Athlete – James Willstrop (Squash)
  • Club of the Year – Netball
netball club with their club of the year trophy and certificate

Photo by ELOUISA GEORGIOU PHOTOGRAPHY

Congratulations to all the winners and all those that were nominated as well.

A big thank you to the hosts, all the presenters, The Refectory and of course, everyone that attended. We hope you had a fabulous evening.

Make sure to tag your photos with #LeedsColours19 on social.

Official photographs from the event can be found here.