The University of Bristol Ladies’ Hockey Club (UBLHC) is one of the University’s largest and most successful sports clubs, bringing together more than 250 members across multiple competitive teams. As proud sponsors of the club, WhichPad sat down with committee members Ruby, Kirsten, Katherine, Charlotte, Jasmine and Emma to discuss university life, competitive hockey and the challenges of finding student accommodation in Bristol.
Team Quick Facts
- University: University of Bristol
- Sport: Hockey
- Achievements: League promotion for two teams!
- Squad Size: 25 each – club of 250 members!
- Sponsored by: WhichPad
The Spotlight Interview
Tell us about the team this season – what are your biggest goals and highlights so far?
Kirsten, 3XI captain 25/26 and kit sec: Last season we achieved promotion in our Saturday league after four years of hard work. It took commitment, communication and a fantastic training programme. We also organised plenty of alcohol-free socials, which helped bring the whole team even closer together.
How do you balance intense training schedules with university studies and student life?
Katherine, social sec: University life can be hectic, but with good planning and support from teammates it’s definitely manageable. Hockey is a brilliant way to switch off from studying, stay active and enjoy time with friends both on and off the pitch.
What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to incoming freshers wanting to join a sports team?
Kirsten: Say yes to everything when getting involved. Try and play as many matches as possible and don’t be scared to talk to the seniors, they honestly love talking to freshers and want to be your friend.
As student athletes, what are the most important factors when choosing where to live?
Ruby, Club Captain- Living close to the pitches or, at least for me, close to your friend with a car who can give you a lift…
Have you had any funny or memorable experiences with teammates while house-hunting?
Jasmine, 1XI captain: It was always fun viewing houses that previous teammates had lived in because everyone could already picture how we’d decorate them and make them our own.
What are the biggest challenges student renters face?
Jasmine: Finding student accommodation that suits everyone’s budget without compromising on location or quality can be one of the biggest challenges students face in Bristol.
If you could give one tip to other students about choosing a letting agent or landlord, what would it be?
Kirsten: Speak to the current tenants and ask plenty of questions about how responsive the landlord has been when problems arise. We experienced a mould issue in our kitchen and had no idea how difficult it would be to get it resolved.
How important is it to live close to your teammates?
Ruby: It’s really nice to be able to get ready for socials together, or even just sharing lifts to the pitches or walk to the bus together.
What does the WhichPad sponsorship mean to the team?
Charlotte, 25/26 4XI captain and sponsorship sec:We’re delighted to work with a company that’s genuinely focused on making student life easier. Finding reliable student accommodation in Bristol can be difficult, especially for first-time renters, so WhichPad provides a really valuable service.
What’s next for the team?
Charlotte: Hold our recently gained promotion in the Saturday league for both the 3XI and 4XI and aim for promotion in the Wednesday BUCS league!
🚀Rapid Fire Round
Favourite study spot on campus?
Emma, social sec: Senate house!
“Best takeaway near your student house?
Emma: Not takeaway but Jason Donnervan deserves a mention for feeding the students of Bristol after a night out.
“House-hunting horror story or win?
Win: Emma managed to secure a house a 2-minute walk from spoons!”.
“Early morning training or late-night revision?
Katherine: Late night revision
“Must-have item in every student rental?
Ruby: AIRFRYER!
“Dream post-match celebration location?
Kirsten: La Rocca
“One thing you wish you knew before signing your first tenancy?
Ruby: Not all landlords are bad – find a good one!
“Teammate you’d most trust as a housemate?
Kirsten: Ella because she always makes amazing banana bread
“Best thing about being part of this team?
Charlotte: Everyone always has each others back. We celebrate the wins like crazy but also loose as a team, and have fun no matter what.
“Shoutout to a teammate who deserves more recognition!”
Charlotte: Maddie Wilson! Carried the 4s for the past 4 years she will be sorely missed in the back line L.
UBLHC players believe that choosing the right student accommodation is about much more than location. Finding accommodation that suits your budget, 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 before committing to a property.
Finding student accommodation in Bristol can be highly competitive, particularly before the start of the academic year. Whether you’re looking for accommodation close to the University of Bristol or comparing local landlords and letting agents, reading verified student reviews can help you make informed renting decisions. WhichPad provides genuine student feedback to help students choose accommodation with confidence.
A huge thank you to the University of Bristol Ladies’ Hockey Club for sharing their experiences with us. Whether you’re preparing for university, searching for student accommodation in Bristol 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.
Follow UBLHC on @ublhc_
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