The University of Manchester Medics Hockey Club is one of the University’s most successful and welcoming sports clubs, bringing together medical students who compete in both Campus League and National Association of Medical Schools (NAMS) competitions. As proud sponsors of the club, WhichPad sat down with the club’s Presidents, General Secretary and Charity & Sponsorship Secretary to discuss university life, competitive hockey and the challenges of finding student accommodation in Manchester.
Team Quick Facts
- University: University of Manchester
- Sport: Hockey
- Achievements: -🏆 University of Manchester Campus League Champions (4 of the last 5 seasons)🥈 National Association of Medical Schools (NAMS) Hockey 2026 Runners-up
- Squad Size: Four Campus League teams and two NAMS teams
- Sponsored by: WhichPad
The Spotlight Interview
- Tell us about the team this season – what are your biggest goals and highlights so far?
Ellie Garry (Club Co-President): “Last season was absolutely awesome for the club. We took the Campus League trophy home as well as just missing out on the national NAMS competition in the final. Not to mention some great socials and tours to Dundee and Bristol. So, we can only build on our success coming into the new season!” - How do you balance intense training schedules with university studies and student life?
Will Leverton (Club Co-President): “As a club we only have one training session a week and our matches are always on the weekend, so it makes it easier to balance university studies with playing which is great as my studies are super important to me. And we always find time for some time at the pub after training or a match as well!” - What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to incoming freshers wanting to join a sports team?
Charlie Howell (General Secretary): “Get along to the fresher’s fairs during Freshers’ week to check out all the different societies on offer as there is a sport for everyone. And most importantly come and check out Medics Hockey as we are the best”. - As student athletes, what are the most important factors when choosing where to live?
Freddie Folkes (Charity and Sponsorship Secretary): “Being close to the sports pitches most definitely helps. Living close to the sports pitches is a huge advantage, but being near your friends is just as important. Having a good supermarket nearby—especially one with a decent reduced section—is always a bonus!”. - Have you had any funny or memorable experiences with teammates while house-hunting?
Freddie Folkes: “When we were looking for our first student house after halls, the current tenants started telling the estate agent about all the broken appliances during the viewing. Safe to say the sales pitch didn’t last very long after that!”. - What are the biggest challenges student renters face?
Ellie Garry: “Finding reliable student landlords in Manchester can be difficult. Some are slow to deal with repairs, so once you find a good landlord it’s worth staying with them if you can.”. - If you could give one tip to other students about choosing a letting agent or landlord, what would it be?
Will Leverton: “Speak to the current tenants if you can. They’ll usually give you a much more honest picture of the property, landlord and letting agent than you’ll get during the viewing.”. - How important is it to live close to your teammates?
Charlie Howell: “I lived with two other people from the club last year and it was really nice to go to training and socials with them. Although it did mean that we hosted many an after party as there was us three in the house anyways!” - What does the WhichPad sponsorship mean to the team?
Freddie Folkes: “It is our first proper sponsorship as a club, so it is really important to us. The extra money is going to be a big help in subsidising kit, equipment and tour tickets and we can’t wait to have our first sponsorship logo on our playing shirts”. - What’s next for the team?
Ellie Garry: “We have got a jam-packed year coming up for the club. Other than bringing the NAMS trophy to its rightful place in Manchester, we are hosting the mini-NAMS tournament in 2027 with four visiting universities coming along. We also have some big charity events planned, including a 24-hour hockey match. All-in-all, we have much to look forward to!”
🚀Rapid Fire Round with Freddie, Charlie, Ellie and Will
Favourite study spot on campus?
Charlie: “The Ali-G as it has a fun name and a banging café”.
Best takeaway near your student house?
Freddie: “Floria Fried Chicken – it might look bad from the outside but trust me ITS BANGING”.
House-hunting horror story or win?
Ellie: “I live above my landlord which isn’t ideal, but he’s quite chill so I still count it as a win”.
Early morning training or late-night revision?
Will: “Early morning training any day, a bit of exercise in the morning and your day is better already”
Must-have item in every student rental?
Charlie: “Beer mat wall because it looks super cool”
Dream post-match celebration location?
Freddie: “The Vic pub in Withington as it does great beer and is two minutes away from my house next year”
One thing you wish you knew before signing your first tenancy?
Ellie: “Whether the landlord is any good and that’s super important”
Teammate you’d most trust as a housemate?
Will: “Definitely Aidan – such a sound guy”
Best thing about being part of this team?
Charlie: “All the people are lovely, fun and kind which is the best part”
Shoutout to a teammate who deserves more recognition!
Freddie: “One of our beginner players called Joshua has really improved this year and he never gets the recognition he deserves”
Manchester Medics Hockey players agree that choosing the right student accommodation is about much more than location. Living close to teammates, choosing reliable landlords and speaking to current tenants before signing a tenancy agreement can make a huge difference. Their biggest recommendation is to read verified student reviews and research letting agents before committing to a property.
Finding student accommodation in Manchester can be highly competitive, particularly before the start of the academic year. Whether you’re searching for accommodation close to the University of Manchester or comparing letting agents and landlords, reading verified student reviews can help you make informed renting decisions. WhichPad gives students access to genuine reviews from other students, helping them choose accommodation with confidence.
A huge thank you to the University of Manchester Medics Hockey Club for sharing their experiences with us. Whether you’re preparing for university, searching for student accommodation in Manchester or comparing landlords and letting agents, learning from other students can help you make better renting decisions. WhichPad is proud to support student athletes while helping students find trusted accommodation through genuine student reviews.
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