At Kent Sport on the University of Kent's Canterbury campus, we believe everyone has the right to be active. That's why our sport and fitness facilities are accessible to everyone, with a wide-range of inclusive activities and programmes to support people with disabilities and additional needs to get active.
From seated activities like boccia, to hearing‑impaired tennis and accessible gym equipment and facilities, we want to make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Kent Sport.
Contact us to chat to our friendly team, take a tour of our facilities, book a free gym induction, or join one of our inclusive sessions.
Sport and activity programme with sessions which are designed for members who need more accessible options.
Our tennis programme includes accessible options for the community, including wheelchair tennis.
Dedicated, one-to-one support programme for anyone that needs specific support and guidance.
Weekly, low-impact exercises for those returning to exercise following a cardiac event.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation services to support joining and returning to exercise.
Dedicated hours in the Kent Sport gym for users who prefer a quiet space to exercise.
Weekly session provided by Student Support and Wellbeing team for all neurodivergent students.
Annual sport and activity tournament for all staff with inclusive and accessible games.
You don’t need to buy an annual membership to take part in our activity programmes.
Our Pay to Play membership gives you the option to join our activities on a pay-as-you-go basis.
We have a range of memberships to suit your budget and availability.
Once you sign up, you can book all sessions through your online booking account.
There are a number of accessible parking bays located close to the entrance to both the Sports Centre and The Sports Pavilion facilities.
Visit the Transport website for details of accessible parking on campus.
Across Kent Sport facilities, we have a number of accessible changing rooms, showers, and toilets as well as baby changing facilities.
At the Sports Centre there are:
We have a lift within the Sports Centre and the Sports Pavilion for accessing the first floor of each building.
We welcome all members to take a tour of the sport and fitness facilities across the Sports Centre and The Sports Pavilion.
Tours of the Sports Centre can be arranged prior to application of membership where individual requirements can also be discussed. All staff have completed EFDS approved training and will be happy to assist you with your inclusive enquiry.
Please call us on 01227 823 623 or email SportsEnquiries@kent.ac.uk to arrange your tour.
The gym at the Sports Centre is equipped with a range of accessible equipment that offers flexible training modes. Our Fitness team are specially qualified to explore alternative training solutions to suit your access needs. This can be discussed during your Initial Fitness Consultation (see gym induction question below), or at any time while you are using the gym equipment.
We offer all Kent Sport members a free Initial Fitness Consultation to help support you when accessing the gym equipment and establishing your fitness goals.
At your appointment, you will be able to speak with a qualified member of the Fitness team, and you will have the opportunity to try the gym equipment and discuss any specific access requirements.
All conversations are conducted in privacy and treated confidentially.
To book your free Initial Fitness Consultation at a time and date that suits you, please email our team at CSEKentSportGym@kent.ac.uk.
If you require support from a friend or family member to assist and accompany you while using the facilities at Kent Sport, we offer the option of a 'buddy' scheme at no additional cost. This allows you to bring one friend or family member with you, however, this is only in the situation that you need support accessing the equipment and must be arranged prior to attending the facilities.
If you would like to discuss the 'buddy' scheme with us, please call us on 01227 823 623 or email SportsEnquiries@kent.ac.uk
Support dogs are welcome within Kent Sport facilities, however, some restrictions may apply. Please discuss your specific requirements with a member of the Reception team on your arrival.
Hearing Aid induction loops are installed at the Sports Centre and The Sports Pavilion reception areas.
We provide dedicated hours in the gym for women and non-binary members to exercise in a safer, more comfortable space.
The women and non-binary members only hours are on the following days and times each week:
To support our community who prefer to exercise in a quiet space, we provide 'quiet hours' in the gym each week. During these hours, music and TVs in the gym are switched off and we ask gym users to keep noise to a minimum.
The gym quiet hours are weekly on:
"Where I once lacked the energy to socialise or enjoy the outdoors, I am now actively training to run my first half-marathon, and have a much more active social life, while my academic performance has even increased during the last year."
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