Club sports at the University of Maine at Farmington bring students together in unique ways, and during the current pandemic, they have provided a bond that helps students survive and thrive, according to a news release from the university.

These unique student-led sports teams or sports-related organizations give students the opportunity to play a sport they love during their college years without the intensity of official athletic team responsibilities. This participation can boost a student’s physical fitness, emotional well-being, self-confidence, social interaction, time management and leadership skills.

“Not everyone wants to compete at a varsity level during their college years,” said Kirsten Swan, director of Student Leadership & Service and former coordinator for UMF Club Sports. “Club sports offer an easy-going, inclusive experience where students can stay fit and have fun, all valuable stress-relievers anytime, especially during the past year and a half.”

Farmington’s club sports include women’s and men’s rugby, ultimate disc, equestrian, dance, cheer and swimming. New clubs can be started by any student at UMF. All they need is a group of interested students. These individuals are responsible for creating a club constitution and are provided with an adviser and a coach.

“Participating in club sports helps students find balance in their college experience, and that may be one of the most valuable lessons in this past year,” said Swan.

Ali Banks, a UMF senior from Stow, Massachusetts, serves as the student intern for Farmington’s Club Sports at the campus Fitness & Recreation Center. A member of the women’s rugby team, she is captain and president of the club. She sees to it that all students follow the provided COVID protocol, fill out any necessary forms and complete impact testing, if needed, so they are ready to participate.

“Club sports are a hidden gem at UMF,” said Banks. “Even though COVID limited our ability to meet or practice in-person for a while, students bonded over a common interest and worked together to keep the team going.”

Club sports coaches are often UMF alumni and individuals who participated in their favorite sport as students. Currently, UMF alumni serve as coaches for men’s and women’s rugby, equestrian and cheer.

Jessica Cloutier, a recent graduate from Corinna in the University of Maine at Farmington’s Rehabilitation Services program, knows the value of club sports to a student’s well-being and their formative college experience.

Cloutier expressed her personal passion for horsemanship by starting the Equestrian Club at the Farmington University as a junior in 2019. She graduated in 2021 and now inspires students as a non-traditional teacher in a local nature-based education program and as the club’s part-time coach.

The UMF Equestrian Club has a roster of close to 15 UMF students who ride, groom and care for horses at the Martin Woods Farm, a small, local working farm where Cloutier is a manager and educator. She helps club members and members of the general public of any age and ability have a positive horsemanship experience. Cloutier likes to say she has students from “2 to 92.”

“Working with horses is so beneficial. Students learn to be present, patient and flexible, all helpful attributes during stressful times,” said Cloutier. “My experience with the Equestrian Club sport helped me feel confident in what I could accomplish as a student, and now as a coach I feel it’s come full circle, and I am helping today’s students and my clients create a positive narrative for themselves.”

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