Bournemouth University is home to thousands of sports students, and every individual has their own story.

Bailey Vanstone serves as president of Badminton and oversees all members of the team.

Having so many responsibilities brings challenges, and Vanstone explained some of the tricky experiences he has faced not only as president, but also since starting university.

“Being the people person means I have a huge weight and sense of responsibility to make sure everyone on the team is okay and feels like they mean something to the rest of the team,” he said.

Juggling the stress and mental health of everyone has led to Vanstone putting himself at the bottom of the priority list.

This has become a concern for his own wellbeing.

“I have realized that my health is just as important as everybody else’s but still I feel it is my duty to look after everyone as the president.”

Vanstone spoke very highly of Martin Wells, who oversees sport at the university.

Wells also serves as the wellness officer who Vanstone described as always making him feel heard.

Robin Kidd is another athlete on the badminton team who praised the rest of the team for always making him feel included and boosting his mental health when he feels particularly low.

“You can be physically fit but be miserable and no one could know because on the outside you seem on top of your game,” Kidd said.

“Having badminton gives you a sense of belonging to a team of players and being able to enjoy the sport I love with my mates really makes my day and relieves me of any stress I have.”

This sends a clear message for anyone who feels like they have nothing to belong to.

It doesn’t need to be badminton either, as Leo Bartlett who plays football locally in Christchurch described.

“I look forward to the weekend, not just because I don’t have to work but because of the mental boost that playing football with my mates gives me on a Sunday.

Bournemouth University offers extensive support for student athletes through their SportBU program.

The university recognizes the numerous benefits of joining sports teams and wants to ensure support continues throughout the year.

Clubs and societies offer unique opportunities to create connections and network with other students and industry professionals.

They also provide chances to try new skills or hone existing ones.
The university emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health concerns early.

BU staff actively support getting involved with sports to improve mental health.

Playing sport, at recreational or performance level, helps release chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that improve mood.

The Dorset Mental Health Forum runs sports programs such as football sessions, climbing and Tai Chi groups all over Dorset that are open to the public.

Sessions are designed to help local communities through physical activity.

Student athletes at Bournemouth can access specialized support including free weekly professional massage therapy.

Sport scholars receive treatments designed to help keep them in peak condition for their chosen sport.

The university’s Sport and Physical Activity Centre conducts research on how sport impacts mental health and wellbeing.

Studies examine everything from team dynamics to the role of physical activity in healthy lifestyles across the lifespan.

Research shows that injuries affect not just physical capabilities but also mental health and sense of athletic identity.

The stigma linking emotional challenges to weakness can worsen feelings of distress and discourage individuals from seeking help.

Comprehensive rehabilitation strategies need to tackle mental health stigma and ensure access to psychological support.

This is especially important for athletes dealing with extended time away from their sport.

The experiences of Vanstone, Kidd and Bartlett highlight how team sports provide more than just physical exercise.

They create communities where students find belonging, support and stress relief.

Student leaders like Vanstone face unique pressures balancing their own wellbeing with responsibilities to teammates.

Having wellness officers like Martin Wells provides crucial support for these student leaders.

The sense of community created by sports teams helps combat feelings of isolation that many students experience.

Team sports give students something to look forward to and a group of people who understand their challenges.

Physical fitness alone doesn’t guarantee mental wellbeing, as Kidd pointed out.

The social connections and sense of purpose from team sports are just as important as the exercise itself.

If you feel the need to speak to someone, you can call the NHS mental health hotline at 111.t

Bournemouth University also offers health and wellbeing support through their Student Advice team at 01202 965779.

Students can visit support services at the Student Centre on Talbot Campus or Bournemouth House at Lansdowne Campus.

These resources ensure that help is available when students need it most.