Sports have always been one of the most effective means of uniting people, and this spirit is ever-present in the PACE Sports Club on our campus. PACE is a place for students to unwind, dare themselves, and remain in touch, offering the students a place for a quick game between classes or a full on competitive session. Through my position as the Manager of Pace, I have been able to supervise all the sports that we carry out and see the club mature into a truly vibrant and friendly community.

My name is Shiven Chawla, and sports have been a major part of my life. I am a great fan of cricket, pickleball, badminton, tennis, football, and if a basketball team needs an extra player, I’ll be happy to join. If it is something with wheels like go karting, you can count on me to be there already. My involvement with Pace has been an eye opener to me regarding the necessity of a sports community for students; it elevates one’s self esteem, makes friends at a much faster rate than any orientation event, and offers people a place where they can be balanced amidst their busy university life.

What the Club Involves?

PACE revolves around one fundamental idea: to let every student experience playing, competing, or even just relaxing through sports. We have plenty of different activities on offer from football, cricket, badminton, and tennis to basketball, pickleball, athletics sessions, and general fitness meetups. No matter if a person comes in to improve their skill or just to keep fit, there is always something going on at the turf, or on the courts.

As a Manager, I am responsible for the organization of the club’s operation. Our weekly plan is filled with different activities such as scheduled training sessions, open play evenings, skill building drills, and friendly matchups between teams. We also attempt to establish mixed teams so that more students gain the confidence of joining, particularly those who may be trying a sport for the first time. Flexibility is a large part of PACE, students may participate in sports at the college casually or take up a competitive squad depending on their interest and availability.

From my perspective, something that sets PACE apart from the rest is the atmosphere that we have built. The club is well planned, but not scary; competitive, yet still friendly. I am working hand in hand with the club heads to ensure the smooth running of the sports, that the decisions are made fairly and the students get the most out of the club. Whatever I may be doing, it is always for the same purpose: to make sports a fun, engaging, and inclusive way of living campus life.

Benefits of Joining the Club:

One major advantage of PACE and sports as a whole, is that it is one of the largest contributors to a student’s overall wellbeing. Besides just physical health, the club provides students with means to mentally reset. Hardly anyone realizes that a quick game or training session does much more for stress than most people realise. Staying active genuinely improves focus, energy levels, and confidence, which naturally carries over into academics and day-to-day life. Staying active genuinely boosts focus, energy, and confidence, all of which naturally benefit both academics and daily life.

However, the advantages do not stop at well being. Sports have the power to create bonds very quickly. The closest friendships on campus are most probably the ones that started with someone asking, “Do you want to play this game with us?”. At PACE, people meet from different programs, different cultures, and different skill levels. Teamwork becomes natural, communication gets more precise, and you learn to deal with both wins and losses maturely. These things stay with you long after the semester has ended.

Personally, I would say that founding PACE and being a member has been a life changing experience for me. It has been instrumental to my development as a leader, I have become more patient, and I have learned how to get the best out of people. Whenever a student asks whether they should join, my answer is simple: absolutely. If you’re even slightly interested, step onto the field once. You’ll feel the difference immediately.

Events, Competitions & Standout Moments:

One of the great things about being part of PACE is to see how our events bring so much energy to the campus. During the semester, we are always up to some friendly matches, inter-program competitions, friendly tournaments, and casual knockout challenges that excite and energize everyone. Whatever it may be football under the lights, a quick badminton rally, or a cricket game that suddenly gets way too competitive, there is always something going on that attracts a crowd.

We as a club have begun to create small traditions such as our scrimmages with mixed teams, our weekly meetups, and impromptu basketball games, where usually half the campus is cheering from the sidelines. These moments help to build a community feeling among students and give them something to look forward to besides academics.

My most memorable sports moment so far has to be one of our basketball games where a last minute basket completely flipped the match. It really felt like the whole team had just won a championship. These moments help me remember the importance of sports. They bring out the most authentic, passionate, and fully present side of people. As the Manager, it is very rewarding for me to witness the club flourish through these events, and it inspires me to keep striving for even bigger and better activities.

Balancing Sports with Academics:

At first, it might seem difficult to balance sports with university academics, however, after you get into the flow, the two actually complement each other. Engaging in activities regularly keeps your brain more active, lowers your level of stress, and provides you with a break from studying, which ultimately means that you return to your work with a higher degree of concentration. I’ve seen that even during my most tightly packed weeks, an hour spent playing cricket or badminton energizes me more than anything else.

As Manager of PACE, it is even more necessary that I manage my time well. I map out my week ahead, keep academic deadlines in my sights, and arrange club duties around them. Having a structured sports routine actually helps me stay disciplined with coursework because it forces me to use my time wisely instead of letting tasks pile up.

My number one piece of advice is very straightforward: don’t consider sports and academics as two conflicting priorities. Consider them as two sides of the same university experience. If you remain organized, talk with your team, and allow yourself time to rest, you will realize that being physically active is not a way of losing time for your studies; rather, it is a means of improvement.

My Personal Reflection:

PACE was my first idea to try and make campus life a bit more active and connected. The way I saw it when I came to UoSD for the first time, students really needed a place where sports could turn into their daily routine, something that was accessible, friendly, and truly fun. The reason why I started the club was not to make a big thing out of it; it was simply about gathering people through the sports we all enjoy.

Now that I look back, and it’s hard to believe that starting Pace has only been one of the very few things that really counted during my time here. I have learned a lot about leadership from organising sessions to making decisions that ensure fairness and fun for everyone. However, to a greater extent than this, I have witnessed how sports can become the source of friendships, self esteem, and even the feeling of being part of something. That is what motivates me the most.

To me, Pace is no longer just a club whose foundation I was part of; it has become a community that exists because of its members. Seeing students coming, helping each other, and thus, making their own club related memories has been my pleasure to the highest degree. It has influenced my university journey in a way that I had never anticipated, and it’s something I’m really thankful for.

How the Club Contributes to Campus Life?

PACE has gradually transformed into one of those spaces on campus that students feel an instant connection with. It brings in a different kind of vibe that is hard to replicate inside a lecture hall. The noise and excitement of matches, the sharing of jokes and stories before a game, the feeling of routine as a result of showing up regularly. The whole thing, basically, leads to a more vibrant and caring campus life.

Among the things that I take pride in, is the manner in which the club has turned into a very welcoming one. Our intention had always been to open the doors to anyone willing to join us whether they were seasoned players or someone who just happened to be trying out a sport. Therefore, mixed sessions, casual games, and approachable team leads have made it less daunting for new students to enter a space that they were previously unfamiliar with. The club becomes a social anchor for many people, especially those adjusting to university life.

What grabs the most attention is how PACE promotes community spirit. The club has become a platform for students from different programs and backgrounds to get to know each other, play together and eventually create a culture where teamwork and mutual encouragement become second nature. The club, in a way, has contributed to making campus more intimate and friendlier.

As I always convey to people, PACE is not merely about sports but rather, it is about being part of a group. If, by any chance, the club has contributed to making campus life more enjoyable for students, then I reckon we have done something worthwhile.

PACE has developed beyond just a place to play sports and is now a community where students support each other, stay fit, and are able to balance their university life, which is usually very hectic. In case someone decides to join for fitness, competition, or just make new friends, the club is a place that warmly welcomes and motivates everyone.

In fact, I have been amazed to see how PACE has integrated into the UoSD life so deeply with such a large number of students. This is a clear indication of the influence that clubs and societies can have in not only creating campus culture but also enhancing personal wellbeing. If you’re thinking about joining, I’d say give it a try. Step onto the field, pick up a racket, or just show up to a session. You might be surprised by how quickly it becomes your favourite part of university.

Author: Shiven Chawla, First year MSc International Management

Date: Wednesday 03 December 2025

This article reflects the thoughts, opinions and experiences of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official view of University of Southampton Delhi. You should confirm and check factual information presented in this article before making decisions based on its content.