TeamUCL Gender Inclusion Hub

TeamUCL delivers all sport and activity at UCL. We want to ensure that access to clubs, the gym, Project Active and everything else we run is as equitable as possible.

To support that mission, this page was created by the LGBTQ+ Officer, Trans* Officer and TeamUCL staff. We recognise that LGBTQ+ students often have fewer experiences of sport and physical activity growing up, and those experiences are often more negative. This means that the positive benefits of sport, such as making friends, getting fitter, and having fun, are rarely felt by students in that community.

The TeamUCL Gender Inclusion Hub is our first step towards ensuring sport at UCL is a place that all students feel welcome.

Gender Neutral Facilities

Gender neutral toilets can be found through this map. There are currently no gender-neutral changing facilities at TeamUCL Gym. The nearest gender-neutral showers and toilets are in the Student Centre, with showers on floor B2. For other gender-neutral or single cubicle showers, please consult the UCL Facilities list.

Casual and participation-focused sport

Outside of our amazing sports club offer, we have programmes and campaigns with a focus on casual, self-led participation and wellbeing.

Beginner friendly exercise classes with Project Active

Project Active offer low-cost, low-commitment weekly classes, and mass participation events like the UCL Campus Run. While some sessions are gendered, such as a selection of women's only classes for female-identifying students, the majority are non-gendered, and all are beginner friendly.

Social sport with TeamUCL Leagues

TeamUCL Social Leagues organise weekly leagues and one off events for UCL students to compete against each other. All leagues are open to all students, and you can compete in line with your gender identity. Click the link to find out more about Volleyball, Badminton, Football, Netball, Squash, Tennis and Basketball.

Start your fitness journey at the TeamUCL Gym

TeamUCL Gym welcomes all students, and serves your health, wellbeing and community. The 80-piece gym is open every day, offering Women's Only Hours, for female identifying students, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Quiet Hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Free activity and a welcoming community with All Jokes Aside

All Jokes Aside is a campaign to support the wellbeing of male-identifying students, and offers free weekly sport and activity, like Pickleball and Dog Walk and Talk sessions. We recognise that gender is experienced and expressed in a variety of ways, and that 'male-identifying' may not represent the identities of every student that All Jokes Aside is for. Trans and non-binary students who identify with maleness are encouraged to take part in this campaign.

Sports Clubs

I just want to play recreationally, can I do that with clubs?

Yes! Several of our clubs offer non-gendered social or recreational sports memberships. Some clubs don't compete at all, focusing instead on weekly classes, events or trips. Use the table below to find out more!

Can I compete for a club in my sport as my gender?

The answer is complicated. Most TeamUCL clubs compete against other universities through BUCS, either nationally or locally in London, and the BUCS policy for transgender/non-cis athletes is to refer to the national governing body for that sport.

Since the Supreme Court ruling on definition of 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010, most national governing bodies have changed their policies to exclude Trans participants, especially Trans participants who are assigned male at birth (AMAB). BUCS have a full list available in this live document, and their full gender eligibility policy can be found here.

However, some of our clubs compete in TeamUCL Leagues, our social, UCL-only sport leagues, delivered weekly during term time. There are no restrictions on participation, and you can compete in the Leagues as your preferred gender.

In summary, formalised competitions organised through BUCS have stringent gender eligibility rules for trans participants, and tend to be more restrictive for AMAB athletes competing in female categories than for AFAB athletes competing in male categories. However, competition is still available, at a more social, recreational level, through the TeamUCL Leagues.

If you have any questions, or aren't sure about any of the guidance, please contact [email protected] for advice.

Use the table below to find a sports club for you!

We've compiled gender inclusion information on all of our 80 sports clubs. At UCL, there's something for everyone.

Campaigns and Observations

During campaigns and observations, we ask that clubs and societies participate to whatever extent they can, whether it’s by sharing their own stories or promoting those told by others. We hope that these days can be fully celebrated by everyone on campus!

Financial and Wellbeing Support

Student Participation Fund

The Participation Fund is a pot of money to support current UCL students who are experiencing financial hardship and are therefore facing significant financial barriers accessing Students’ Union UCL clubs and societies as well as any other co-curricular or extra-curricular activities. Financial barriers can be especially hard for some students. but this should not prevent them from having amazing co-curricular and extra-curricular experiences and opportunities.

The funds will be awarded based on an individual’s financial needs, and can be used to help cover the costs of membership fees, or any other associated costs (such as kit, specialist equipment, travel or room hire).

Find out more about the Student Participation Fund and apply here.

Gender Expression Fund

The GEF exists to help trans students live more comfortably in their gender, especially with the additional costs being trans brings. For this reason, you can apply for a grant of up to £100 to help with costs such as packers, binders, corsets and Gender-affirming clothing.

Please note that this fund cannot be used to fund medical treatments. You can apply multiple times.

Find out more here.

Support Resources

Gendered Intelligence

Gender Construction Kit

AKT: LGBT Homelessness Support

The Beaumont Society: Trans Support Group

Mermaids: for children and young people

Switchboard LGBT: queer support line

Galop: anti-abuse charity

Have a question or issue with a club or society?

1. Speak with a Welfare Officer. All clubs and societies have a Welfare Officer with whom you can speak. They will be able to help you directly inside your club or society.

2. Speak to staff. You can email staff using [email protected] for society related queries, and [email protected] for club related queries.

3. Reach out to the Student Support and Wellbeing. They can help you speak with a therapist and receive specialist mentoring from Gendered Intelligence if your issue specifically relates to your gender identity. This can be done through AskUCL or calling them on the phone.

4. Use Report and Support. UCL has a robust system to work with students in cases of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. This includes transphobic and sexist behaviour. You can choose to remain anonymous or name yourself, and whether you would like any action to be taken.

5. Not sure what you should do? Contact the Student Advice Service. They will speak to you about your situation and discuss possible avenues of action.

6. File a complaint. If your problem hasn’t been solved and pertains to the committee of a club or society or an SU officer, you can file an official complaint through the SU.

Representation

Within the Students’ Union (SU), you have three elected students representing your interests, and three Networks you can join throughout your time at UCL:

• LGBTQ+ Officer: They represent all LGBTQ+ student interests to the SU, including those of minority sexualities and genders.
• Trans Officer: They represent gender-specific student interests to the SU, particularly those relevant to trans* students.
• Womens’ Officer: They represent all women’s and femmes’ interests to the SU. They can help with women-related issues.
• LGBTQ+ Students' Network: This network aims to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or any other marginalised gender or sexual identities, including but not limited to asexual, queer, and intersex students.
• Trans* Students' Network: The Trans* Students' Network represents an opportunity for students to challenge and campaign against discrimination, oppression and inequality faced by themselves or others and work to defend and extend their rights.
• Women's Network: The UCL Women’s Network is a vibrant and inclusive space for all self-defining women to come together, share experiences, and discuss issues around gender and its intersections with race, sexuality, disability, and more.

They attend all the policy zones, so if you’ve noticed a larger problem across campus, send them an email or arrange a chat. They’ll be more than happy to talk with you and work on a large-scale solution. You can find a full list of our networks here.

Using the Hub? Help us make it better by providing anonymous feedback