Richmond partners with Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre 

From Spring 2026, Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre will become the hub for organised university sports at Richmond. The new partnership responds to growing student demand for sports facilities and aims to strengthen wellbeing and community on campus. 

How will it work?

Weekly sports sessions will take place every Friday, with students voting in advance to choose which sport to play. The first session will launch on 6 February at 6pm, starting with football. Other activities include basketball, badminton, netball, volleyball and table tennis, offering a wide range of options for members of the Richmond Sports Association (RSA). 

The RSA is a student-led body that manages participation and engagement in sport. Membership costs £5 per semester, contributing to equipment upkeep at the centre. Students are only able to access the Centre during these sessions. RSA President Ilham Noor, a Computer Science student, said: “It’s exciting to see Richmond participate in sport on campus. This partnership is a great opportunity to strengthen our sporting culture, and enhance the overall student experience, and I’m really looking forward to seeing its impact.” 

Brentford Centre

Students attending RSA sessions will have access to Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre’s extensive facilities, including a fully equipped air-conditioned gym, a 25-metre teaching pool, and a leisure pool with the borough’s only working waterslide. The centre is easily accessible on foot (a short walk from campus on Chiswick High Road), by multiple bus routes, and offers paid on-site parking. 

“We’re really excited to be partnering with Richmond American University and looking forward to opening up our sports halls as a dedicated space for their students,” said Bobola Kukoyi, Sales and Membership Manager at Brentford Leisure Centre. “This partnership is a great opportunity to support student wellbeing, encourage regular physical activity, and strengthen the connection between education and community sport.” 

“I am excited that sports are back at Richmond,” said Ian Lunny, Student Accommodation and Community Suppport Officer and lead organiser of the partnership. “I believe sports clubs are an important part of the student experience and benefits beyond the social elements but also for our student wellbeing. With Brentford Leisure Centre, we now have access to fantastic facility within walking distance of campus.” 

Richmond also plan to expand Sports programming to include the Honours Cup, a competitive football fixture against sister campus RIASA in Leeds, as well as inter-university leagues and increased bookings. Students can sign up via Richmond’s internal student newsletter or through social media. 

See more on clubs & societies available at Richmond.