The University of Bedfordshire was awarded a £400,000 grant, which funds the innovative "Get into Sport" student and staff sporting participation programme and additional funding has ensured that UCMK students can also get involved.

Fifty-four universities across the country have received a share of the £10 million National Lottery investment from Sport England's University Sport Activation Fund today (Monday), with Bedfordshire's award being the largest of all the successful applicants.

The funding from Sport England – the Government Agency responsible for promoting sport in England – will provide every Bedfordshire student with access to a range of free professionally coached sports and activities throughout the year, for the next three years.

Students at UCMK are welcome to take part in other sports offered at the University's other sites.

Professor John Brewer, the Director of Sport and Sports Enterprise at the University, said he was delighted with the announcement.

"It is wonderful that the University of Bedfordshire has been recognised with this £402,000 award, the largest amount given to any university in England. It is a credit to the fantastic work that we did during our initial Get into Sport programme, and this new funding means that many thousands of students will be able to take part in sport and gain benefits to their health, lifestyle and social cohesion."

Nationally, the aim of Sport England's funding is to get nearly 180,000 new students playing sport regularly.

And Sport England Director of Community Sport, Mike Diaper, said: "We know universities play a vital role in maintaining and growing a student's love of sport. They can encourage them to continue playing once they've left school or help those less sporty discover a new sport. By investing in the 54 universities we're helping students develop a lifelong sporting habit while they study."

UCMK running club will meet outside the campus reception every Tuesday at 6:15-7pm and for climbing meet at Xscape Climbing wall every Wednesday 6-7pm