During our This Girl Can week, we are talking to some of our TeamUCL Sports Reps to find out more about their journey in sport, including their volunteering experience!
Be inspired, and find out more about Bella's story below!
My name is Bella and I'm in my final year studying Russian and History. I'm currently the President of UCL Muay Thai Club, but I've also been involved in Netball club throughout my time at university
How did you get involved in Muay Thai?
I started Muay Thai when I was around 9 years old. We lived near a Muay Thai gym, and I'd always see the sign when I walked past. I decided to give it a try one day, and I ended up completely falling in love with it and competed at a national level and won some junior titles. Unfortunately, I had to stop training due to injuries for a few years. When I came to university, I knew I wanted to join a sports club and I ended up doing a taster session with UCL Muay Thai club, rediscovering my love for the sport.
Why did you decide to become a committee member?
In my first year, the Welfare Officer at the time spoke to a group of us about open positions for the term 1 by-elections before a training session. I remember him saying it was one of the highlights of his time at university and I was struggling to adjust to student life so decided to run for a committee position. I've been on the committee ever since.
What's your favourite part of being a committee member?
My favourite thing about being a committee member is the freedom to come up with ideas, launch initiatives, and have a real impact on the club and its members. I know firsthand that university can be a challenging time for many students, and sports clubs can offer a sense of routine, purpose, and community. By organising regular training sessions, events, competitions, and socials, we can help people find their feet and make the most of their university experience. It's also incredibly rewarding to give people the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and achieve something they never thought they could, like competing in a Muay Thai fight.
Do you volunteer in sport in any other way? If so, why?
I used to coach some of the younger netball teams at my school. I really enjoyed helping them learn and getting them to have fun at the same time. I’m hoping to do something similar with the Muay Thai club as we are currently exploring potential partnerships with schools to set up Muay Thai sessions and mentorship programs for our members.
What does the "This Girl Can" campaign mean to you?
The "This Girl Can" campaign is incredibly important because it encourages more girls and women to get involved in sports. Muay Thai is traditionally a male-dominated sport, and when I was younger, I didn't have the same opportunities to compete or gain experience as some of the boys in the gym. Campaigns like 'This Girl Can' help to break down these barriers and provide equal opportunities for girls to participate in sports.
At TeamUCL, we offer women-only sessions in a range of sports to create a more comfortable and inclusive environment for women to try new things without feeling intimidated by more experienced members or the pressure of being in a male-dominated space. I'm also part of a group outside of UCL that runs regular women-only Muay Thai sessions for both beginners and more experienced people so I know first hand what a difference this can make.
One of the key messages of 'This Girl Can' is that sport is not about how your body looks. It's about what you can do. As someone who has struggled with body image in sport, I strongly believe in this message and want to help spread it. It's important to remember that everyone is different, and everyone has their own unique strengths and abilities. I move and do sport because I like to challenge myself, rather than worrying about how I look in the mirror.
What advice would you give to someone looking to try a new sport or volunteer in sport?
If you think you want to do something, don’t overthink it and simply try it out. You never know how much you’ll enjoy it. There are so many opportunities available at Team UCL so This Girl Can week is the perfect chance to get involved.
Inspired by Bella's story? Why not explore what explore our This Girl Can week or Women Only activities!