Meet our Pay and Play Activators

Ryan Choong

"I chose to become a social sport activator simply because of my love for sports! It gave me an opportunity to stay active and participate in a variety of sports. Most importantly, it allowed me to contribute to and be a part of the greater UCL community!"

"I really enjoy being able to encounter new people outside of my regular circle and make new friends. Everyone who attends the sessions brings a great energy and share the same passion/interest, so it's fun to just talk and get to know people."  

"What skills and experience have you gained from the role - I think the role has helped develop both my social and leadership skills. Being an activator puts the onus on you to ensure everybody has an enjoyable time, so it requires you to be social and communicative to create a comfortable and engaging environment."

Activates: Tennis (Mondays/Thursdays at 4PM) and Pickleball (Thursdays at 12PM)

Ashton Hii

"I chose to become a social sport activator because I enjoy sports and believe sports bring people together. Being a social sport activator allows me to lead sport sessions that everyone can enjoy and meet new people."

"I enjoy being able to help beginners learn new sports and meeting new people across UCL that I would've otherwise not been able to meet."

"I have learnt to speak out more confidently while leading sessions. I have also improved my skills in the sport and helped others to learn a new sport while having fun."

Activates: Pickleball (Thursdays at 12PM)

Izzati Japar

"At first, I was interested in becoming a tennis activator because I wanted to play more tennis. At that time, I did not know I would also be involved in other sports, which has become my favourite part of being a sport activator. I like that I can meet new people with the same interests and encourage as many people as possible to play tennis while being an activator."

"I initially lacked confidence when I began this role. Firstly, I had never done this kind of role before; I was not confident in my speaking skills, and I was still unsure about my own tennis ability. However, over time, through being an activator, both my tennis skills and my communication skills has improved, and I now feel much more confident giving tips and supporting students."

"Volunteering in sport is a great way to try different activities, meet new people with similar interests, and gain confidence in guiding others. I really enjoy it, and I encourage anyone thinking about it to go for it!"

Activates: Tennis (Mondays/Thursdays at 4PM)

Benjamin Li

"I chose to become a social sport activator as I enjoy sharing the passion of the sport that I have played since I was young to my peers, as well as being able to play myself!"

"I most enjoy seeing participants enjoy themselves and gain confidence and a better sense of the sport in the session, and just generally playing in and running the sessions are quite enjoyable too."

"I have gained a lot of confidence in leading groups in a session and showing up early to organise and set things up."

Activates: Badminton (SoM) (Mondays at 4:30PM) and Football (UCL East) (Wednesdays at 5PM)

Derek Kang

"Sport has always been a big part of my life, especially basketball and tennis. When I first moved to London, joining sports sessions helped me meet people and settle into university life more quickly, so I wanted to help create the same welcoming environment for other students as well."

"I really enjoy making friends from different backgrounds and seeing people become more confident through sport. It’s always nice when sessions feel relaxed and friendly, especially for people trying something new for the first time."

"The role has helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills, especially when organising activities and interacting with different groups of students. It has also made me more confident in leading sessions and creating an inclusive atmosphere for everyone."

Yuwen Xu

"I chose to become a Social Sport Activator because the role allows me to take part in sports while also connecting with other students in a friendly and supportive environment. Through these activities, I have the opportunity to communicate with people from different backgrounds and build meaningful friendships, which I find very rewarding."

"What I enjoy most about the role is meeting new students at each session, playing sports together, and talking to people. These interactions help create a strong sense of community and make each session enjoyable."

"From this role I've developed strong organisational and communication skills, as well as a greater sense of responsibility. My communication skills have also improved by talking with participants and making sure everyone feels comfortable and included. I have also gained basic first-aid knowledge, which has increased my confidence in handling emergencies and supporting others effectively."

Activates: Badminton (SoM) (Mondays at 4:30PM) and Football (UCL East) (Wednesdays at 5PM)