Athletics 

Saint John Campus

Athletics, Recreation and Wellness 

The Athletics, Recreation and Wellness Department (ARW) mission statement is: “To promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among students, faculty, staff and community members by providing opportunities for participation through sport, recreation, and wellness programs in a safe environment.”

UNBSJ students have an opportunity to participate at many levels of competition and recreation. The Varsity sports teams compete in the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association (ACAA) with an opportunity to advance to Canadian Colleges Athletics Association (CCAA) national championships. UNB Saint John has six varsity sports: Soccer (men and women); Volleyball (men and women) Basketball (men and women) and V Reds bi-campus Track and Field (men and women). 

The ARW Department also offers students the opportunity to play on one of the Sport Clubs which are intended for those athletes who still want to compete in their sport but cannot commit to the time demands at the varsity level. The Sport Clubs include: Women’s Fast Pitch; Women’s Hockey, Running, Soccer, Cricket, Football, and Table Tennis.

There are also great opportunities to participate for those students who wish to play but have no time for varsity or club level participation. The intramural program fills this niche with such offerings as Flag Football, Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Badminton and special one-day events or tournaments such as 3 vs 3 Basketball.

Some faculty, staff and students are motivated by group exercise through instructional programs and there are several activities to choose from including: Tabata, Yoga, Step Aerobics, Self-Defense, Boot Camp, Strength Training and Tai Chi. The choice to stay or get physically active is easy at UNB Saint John. Several monthly wellness instructional workshops are offered including:; Coping with Stress; Massage Therapy; Nutrition; Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Clinic; Relaxation Techniques; Diabetes; and Winter Wellness.

The ARW Department focuses on local children and youth in Anglophone District South and local community centers through the “Howl with the Wolves” program. The purpose of this outreach program is to have Seawolves athletes conduct skills clinics which affords an opportunity to speak about the importance of physical activity, team work, respect, dedication, self-confidence and other important life skills that can be developed through sports. Seawolves athletes and coaches also travel to various clubs and schools to offer skills clinics through their “Adopt-a-School” program.

The Athletics, Recreation and Wellness Department has two great athletic facilities, including the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre and the Canada Game Stadium. The G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre opened in 1975 and hosts a wide range of competitive and recreational sports for the university and community. Faculty, staff and students can take full advantage of the facilities. As well, thousands from the local community and beyond use the Athletics Centre each year, and it is the hub of many events and tournaments. The Jeux Canada Games Stadium, built for the 1985 Jeux Canada Games, overlooks the Kennebecasis and Saint John rivers. It features a 400-metre all-weather track, and locker room facilities.

Please consult the ARW Department's web-site for further information on the varsity programs (www.unbsj.ca/athletics)