Intramural Sports for The Winter

Unfortunately, at this time of year, the sun sets at 4:30pm. This means StFX students are left with less daylight than preferred, maybe even only 2 or 3 hours, depending on your sleep and class schedule. It’s also colder outside, and there’s the stress of a new semester.

However, there is one thing that can help with the mental health challenges that come in the winter months:  the possibility of registering for an intramural sport. Intramurals are an extra-curricular activity that is highly underrated, where leagues are created, and you get to play sports in a low-stress environment with your friends. There is something for everyone, with no experience required. You can meet new people and create new memories.

It’s a form of exercise that is proven to boost mood, as well as a forced, and likely well-deserved, break from academia and coursework. Whether it is studying, writing yet another paper, or doing readings, intramurals are a fantastic way to set your mind to something else for a couple of hours.

According to the StFX athletics website, there are many options for intramurals in the winter. These include recreational volleyball, super recreational volleyball, and indoor soccer. Registration for both types of volleyball closed on 6 January, however, registration for soccer closes on 16 February.

To register for these sports, simply go to https://www.goxgo.ca/recreation/intramurals/index, scroll down to “Winter Line Up 2023”, and click the registration link, where you sign in with the same username and password as you do for your Moodle account.

It is only possible to register, however, if you have already signed up with XREC. If you go to the StFX gym regularly, and can swipe your card, you are signed up. If this is not the case, simply go to the pool desk in Keating and ask to register.

There are also ESPORT tournaments happening at StFX each month this winter hosted by XREC intramurals. You can register the exact same way for ESPORTS as you do for other sports such as volleyball, except, after following the link, you are led to a sign-up sheet through Microsoft Forms. This uses a QR code, and the platform required is XBOX or PS. These are fun elimination tournaments, where the lucky winner walks away with an XREC prize package.

There is an ESPORTS football tournament where registration closes on 2 February 2023, which takes place on the game Madden 23. There is also an ESPORTS rocket league tournament, where registration closes on 9 March 2023.

Finally, XREC is hosting a student-only night of skating and music at the arena in the Keating Centre. This takes place from 7-9pm, on Saturday, 18 March. The theme for this event is St. Patrick’s Day colours! Be sure to get there early, as there is only a limited number of helmets and skates available for use.

There is also the possibility of an XREC curling night sometime in March 2023.  There are also group fitness classes that XREC offers, with a schedule available online, and plenty of games for you to go watch to support your fellow Xaverians.

For more information, visit the website mentioned above, contact XREC, or follow @stfxintramurals on Instagram.