Want to represent Oxford Brookes University? Trials are your chance to show your skills and join one of our competitive teams. Most teams compete in the British University and College Sport (BUCS) Leagues or BUCS Championships. For sports not involved in BUCS, we support them through other inter-university competitions.
How trials work:
Dates and times vary by sport and gender, so please check the full trials schedule below. Please be aware that trials happen very quickly following the Sport & Active Wellness Fair as the competitive seasons start mid-October. If you are interested in playing a sport competitively, ensure you have touched base with the club at the Sport & Active Wellness Fair, if you are unable to attend, please ensure you reach out to the club directly via the details on their club webpage.
Most trials require pre-registration and some have a small cost. Make sure to read all details carefully.
Come prepared wearing sports kit, appropriate footwear and with a water bottle.
Not sure if trials are right for you? Don’t worry, most sports offer taster sessions, which are the perfect way to get a feel for the club/sport before stepping up to trials or commiting to a membership.
If you’re unsuccessful this year, or you miss the trials date, don’t worry! Many clubs offer development squads, intramural leagues or there are Student Move opportunities. You can also try out again next year.
Some sports don’t require trials, often due to the nature of the sport or their recruitment process. Check out our Taster Sessions page as a lot of clubs hold Taster Sessions.
🎯 You can meet all our Student Sport Clubs at the 2026 Sport & Active Wellness Fair (Thursday 17 September, 11 am – 4 pm in the JHB Forum, Headington Campus).
🤝 For any questions about trials or the club in general, please contact clubs directly via the contact details on their club webpage. View our A–Z of Student Sports Clubs ➜
💡 Stay in the loop: Follow us on Instagram: @brookessportoxford
Schedule:
Monday 21 September: 17:00 - 18:30
Thursday 24 September: 20:10 - 23:00
Location: Sports Hall, Headington Sports Centre
Please wear suitable non-marking sports shoes and comfortable sports clothing and bring a water bottle. We have 1 Men's and 1 Women's Team and trials for both will take place across these dates.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@obu_badminton) for more information.
Schedule:
Women's Trials:
Monday 21 September: 20:00-21:30
Friday 25 September: 15:00-16:30
Men's Trials:
Monday 21 September: 21:30-23:00
Friday 25 September: 16:30 - 18:00
Location: Sports Hall, Headington Sports Centre
Please wear suitable non-marking basketball or sports shoes and comfortable sports clothing and bring a water bottle.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookesbasketball) for more information.
Competitive Cheer & Dance Athlete Trials:
Saturday 26 September: 13:00-17:00
Location: Sports Hall, Headington Sports Centre
Gameday Athlete Trials:
Saturday 26 September: 11:30 - 13:00
Location: Dojo, Fuller Building (route to Dojo)
Please ensure you wear comfortable clothing suitable for exercise, along with cheer or dance shoes if you have them.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@oxfordbrookescheerdance) for more information.
Date: Saturday 26 September: time TBC
Location: Huntersfield Equestrian (meet at Cheney Barrier and committee members will help transport trialists to Huntersfield)
You MUST bring your hat, boots and be in smart riding attire (not show gear).
PLEASE NOTE: This year we are selecting 3 teams (1s, 2s and friendlies).
Our 1st Team riders are expected to confidently jump a 90cm course and complete a Novice/Elementary style dressage test.
Our 2nd Team riders are expected to jump an 80cm course and complete a Prelimary/Novice dressage test.
Our Friendlys will be asked to jump a course of 70cm as well as complete a Preliminary-style dressage test.
We will NOT be considering complete beginners for our teams, but we do offer Social Riding for those who do not meet our criteria.
To sign up for trials, please complete our Google Form.
PLEASE NOTE: You will NOT be considered or invited for trials for any of our teams if you do not complete the Google Form.
Schedule:
Saturday 19 September: 10:30- 16:00
Sunday 20 September: 10:30- 16:00
Location: Grass Pitches, Harcourt Hill
Please use this Google Form to register your interest Men’s Football. You will then be sent the trials sign-up form. You can also sign up for trials at the Men’s Football stall at the Sport & Active Wellness Fair. Trials cost £6.
Men’s Football is very popular, with a large number of students attending trials each year. The club has five teams and trials are the main opportunity to be selected. If you miss the trials, it is very unlikely that you will be able to join a team later in the year, so we strongly recommend attending if you would like to be considered.
The club also runs Brooke5ide, a 5-a-side league which offers another way to play football at Brookes. This takes place on Saturdays from 17:30–21:30 on the STP Astro outside Headington Sports Centre and will start on Saturday 26 September. Follow the club on Instagram @brookesfootballmen) for further information and updates.
For more casual football, there are also Student Move football sessions on Tuesday and Friday evenings on the STP Astro. Sessions cost £3, with no commitment required and usually involve fun, small-sided games.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookesfootballmen) for more information.
Schedule:
Saturday 19 September: 09:00 - 10:30
Sunday 20 September: 09:00 -11:31
Location: Cheney School Field (Grass Pitches next to Astro outside the Headington Sports Centre)
Trials are free and are open to all women, whether they are a beginner or have played before. There is a place for everyone in one of the squads: BUCS or social squads. Please wear clothes suitable for playing football and bring football boots if you have them.
Please express your interest through our Google Form.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookesfootballwomen) for more information.
Schedule:
Tuesday 22 September
Friday 25 September
First Team Callbacks: Monday 28 September (15-20 people for 9 holes at Studley Wood)
Location: Driving Range, Studley Wood Golf Club
To sign up for trials, please visit the Golf Club at the Sport & Active Wellness Fair and join their WhatsApp group, as they will share the trials link there.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookesgolf_) for more information.
Schedule:
1st Trials: Sunday 20 September: 14:00 - 18:30
2nd Trials: Wednesday 23 September: 12:30 - 16:30
Location: STP Astro, Headington Sports Centre (outside the front)
Competitive Men’s & Women’s Hockey Trials are for students looking to represent Oxford Brookes in our BUCS hockey teams, with four Men’s and four Women’s teams.
Trials will take place in a competitive but supportive environment and will assess different areas of your game through a mixture of drills and small-sided games.
Following the first trial, selected players will be invited to a second trial on Wednesday 23 September. This session will allow us to further assess your abilities within your specific position through training activities and larger-sided match play.
Selection will be based on your overall performance throughout the trial, rather than individual moments, so work hard, get involved and show us what you can do!
What to bring: Appropriate playing kit, gum shield, shin pads, hockey stick (please let us know if you don’t have access to one), astro shoes or suitable trainers, water bottle, sun cream if needed, any required medication and, most importantly, a positive attitude!
Cost: £3 for the first trial.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookeshockey_) for more information.
Schedule:
Thursday 24 September: 17:00 - 18:30
Location: STP Astro, Headington Sports Centre (outside the front)
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@obuwlc and @brookeslacrosse) for more information.
Schedule:
Sunday 20 September 14:00 -20:00
Callbacks: Monday 21 September 18:30 - 20:00
Callbacks: Wednesday 23 September 12:00 - 15:00
Potential additional date: Thursday 24 September: 17:00 - 18:50
Location: Sports Hall, Headington Sports Centre
Trials are women-only.
Please sign up for trials via this Google Form and you will be sent your specific trial date and time.
Cost: £2 per trialist
With four BUCS teams, we welcome players from a wide range of competitive backgrounds and are looking to build strong, committed and competitive squads for the season ahead.
Our trials will combine netball-specific drills and match play. We’ll be looking at how you perform individually, as well as how you contribute and adapt as part of a team.
Sunday 20 September will be the first trial for all new trialists, with each player allocated a two-hour trial slot. Following this session, players may be invited back for a second or third trial, depending on the team we feel they are best suited to.
We want to see you play your natural game, work hard and show us what you can bring to the team!
What to bring: Netball trainers or suitable non-marking indoor court shoes, appropriate training kit and plenty of water.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookesnetball) for more information.
Schedule:
Thursday 24 September: From 15:00
Location: Oxford Quins RFC, Horspath Sports Ground, OX4 2RR
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookesrugbyunionmen) for more information.
Schedule:
Friday 9th October: 18:30 - 20:00
Sunday 11th October: 20:00 - 21:30
Location: STP Astro, Headington Sports Centre (outside the front)
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@obusoftball) for more information.
Schedule:
Friday 25 September: 21:00 - 23:00
Location: Sports Hall, Headington Sports Centre
All welcome!
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookestabletennis) for more information.
Schedule:
Women's Trials: Friday 18 September: 14:00 - 16:00
Men's Trials: Saturday 19 September: 14:00 - 16:00
Call Backs: Sunday 20 September 12:00 - 16:00
Location: Florence Park, OX4 3PJ
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookestennis) for more information.
Schedule:
Women's Trials - Tuesday 22 September: 20:10 - 21:30
Men's Trials - Tuesday 22 September: 21:30 - 23:00
Development - Friday 25 September: 21:00 - 23:00
Location: Sports Hall, Headington Sports Centre
Sign-up link will be shared in the WhatsApp group for new members.
Please wear indoor, non-marking volleyball shoes/ trainers and a normal sports T-shirt, shorts and optional kneepads and sleeves
Keep an eye on their Instagram page (@brookesvolleyball_) for more information.