I arrived at Leeds Trinity University in November 2014 after being a full-time father for 18 months. Returning to employment was a big and nerve-racking step after being on nappy duty for so long. Travelling to and from my home in York every day was also quite a challenge at first, as well as not knowing anyone when I arrived. 

The highlight in my first week was discovering that there was a social football session held every Friday on campus. I asked around the Marketing and Communications team to see if anyone was going; they weren’t but warned me to watch out for the Chaplain who was apparently renowned for putting in some ‘strong’ tackles. Naively, I went along, convinced that the good Chaplain wouldn’t do such a thing. How wrong I was! The session was brilliant, but I wore shin pads the following week… 

The main thing, though, was that I instantly made many friends, most of whom I am still in touch with today. The Chaplain, Paul Grogan, despite his ferocious tackles, will always be one of the best people I have met through working at Leeds Trinity.  

Building such relationships not only helped me gain new friends but also supported me in my role; the group are always helping one another in a variety of ways. It’s through social sport that I gained a student intern after making the football group aware of the opportunity and asking the group to share with their networks. As a result, one of the players, Conal Siddall, successfully applied for it. It was great to work with Conal, he did a brilliant job in his time with me. 

Another example I’m proud of is the yearly Women’s FC v Staff football match. In 2015, after cheering on the Women’s Football Club one Wednesday afternoon, I found out that the captain had sadly lost her father to cancer. We agreed that we would have an annual 11-a-side match to raise money for Macmillan in memory of Mick Marshall, and even had a trophy made to mark the occasion. The fixture, apart from during the pandemic, has taken place every year since and we have managed to raise a few thousand pounds in the process. The players that I have met through social football are always on hand to support and participate in this event. 

Unfortunately, a few long-standing injuries limits my ability to regularly play football these days. However, I was encouraged to join in with social badminton by Sheila King, our Sports Development Officer, affectionately known by some as ‘the Queen of social sport’. I hadn’t played badminton for years but after a shaky start I really got into it and now love meeting and playing against more new people, as well as the friendly and fun environment Sheila has created. No matter what your ability, she will always make sure you are looked after. She has an amazing knack of getting people involved and making sure they get the most out of social sport.  

Sheila has always been the perfect host, supported equally as brilliantly by Finn Williams. For me, the common denominator and why so many people participate is, and always will be, the wonderful Sheila King. Although Sheila is still not happy that I recently beat her at her own game — short tennis. I’ve hardly mentioned it since, honest! 

I look forward to participating in more social sport in 2024, making more friends, memories and raising more money for charity along the way. If you haven’t joined in already, I can’t encourage you enough to do so. It’s a fantastic way to get some exercise in, make friends and embrace the close-knit sense of community we have at Leeds Trinity.  

Brett Arnall is Alumni Relations Officer at Leeds Trinity University.