Most field sports are played at the Downing College Sports Ground on Grantchester Road, which is about one mile from Downing College. There are two multi-use hard courts on the College site for playing tennis, basketball and netball.  The Paddock provides an excellent place for field sports training in the centre of the College. Games must not be played on any other lawns in College.

There is a boathouse for the College rowing club; this club takes part in all University and many other rowing events.

Students participating in sports should assess the safety of unsecured equipment and check grounds or pitches for harmful debris before use.

Off-site facilities

There are some sports for which Colleges do not have their own facilities, such as athletics, golf, swimming and badminton. For these sports, facilities are common to all Colleges and club secretaries will explain particular arrangements to all those who may be interested.

It is usually possible to find a place for players of all standards in College clubs, and the club officers will be recruiting new members from amongst those who have come into residence for the first time.

Any student who has an interest in a particular sport should contact the appropriate club secretary; a list of the sports captains, as well as contact details for the JCR Sports Officer, is published on the JCR website.

If a particular activity is not provided by a College Society, there may be an opportunity to participate through a University Society.

Details of these are provided by the Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU). Alternatively, where enough interest is demonstrated, a new College club may be established and become affiliated to the Amalgamation Club by a majority vote on a suitable motion at a quorate Open Meeting of the Amalgamation Club.

Multi-gym

Opening hours: 6am-10pm 

The Lt Col Anderson Fitness Room, the College's multi-gym, is located behind the Howard Theatre. The gym is a small but well-equipped fitness room equipped with a range of cardiovascular and individual resistance equipment, and a fitness studio suitable for Pilates, yoga, and stretches.

The gym is open to Fellows, resident students and College staff. 

Please see the Gym Risk Assessment. 

Contact

  • In the event of an emergency, please call the Porters: 01223 334800
  • If cleaning supplies are low (cleaning surface wipes) please email: housekeeping@dow.cam.ac.uk
  • Information about joining the gym is provided below, but if you have any additional questions, please contact: college-office@dow.cam.ac.uk 

Registering to use the College Gym

All members are required to complete an online membership form each academic year before they can use the equipment. The form consists of membership details, Induction videos (compulsory for new members), a physical readiness questionnaire, Terms and Conditions, and a Risk Assessment.

Please click the following link to complete the Gym membership form.

Please note that it can take up to one week to grant access to the gym after completing the Gym Membership form. If it has been longer than one week, please contact: college-office@dow.cam.ac.uk.

For safety reasons, there must be a minimum of two people in the multi-gym at any one time.

Costs

  • There is no gym induction charge.
  • Annual membership for students is £30.
  • Membership will be billed to your College account at the end of the term.

Accessibility information for the multi-gym can be found in our AccessAble guide. 

Please e-mail college-office@dow.cam.ac.uk for information regarding upcoming induction sessions.

Communal sports equipment

Certain sports teams have their own equipment and kits. These may be used by any member of the Amalgamation Club with the consent of the captain of the relevant sports club.

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