Frustrated students from Dundee University have expressed their disgust at its sports facility pricing.
More than 250 students have signed a petition urging the institution to reconsider pricing structures in its Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE).
Students claim outside clubs and organisations are charged far less for the use of University facilities and see this as grossly unfair.
Calling for fairer prices, petition organiser Paul Stephen, said: “With two teams perhaps having 14-person squads this means that the ISE take in a minimum of £140 with each football match played in the University of Dundee Sunday League.
“Compare this to Kelso FC, a Dundee amateur football team with no university affiliations, who are charged less per game for the hire of the same facilities and you are able to see why we are bringing this issue forward.
“Effectively student organisations are being exploited in comparison to non-university affiliated organisations.
“I am looking for those in agreement with this cause to put their name towards it so that we can bring a case forward to the ISE in a push for change and equality for student organisations.”
Fellow student Nikos Nikolakakis echoed Mr Stephen’s views.
Urging the university to prioritise the health of students, he said: “The ISE should stop exploiting students who are seeking nothing else but their right to practice sports at a decent and accessible for all price.
“The current pricing is clearly thwarting a fair percentage of students from getting involved in sports – something that both the university and the ISE should try to remedy, given the importance of a healthy lifestyle for all.
Fed up Martin Mackay added: “Last I knew ISE was the “Institute of Sport & Exercise”, not the “Institute of Student Exploitation”.
Teams playing in the university Sunday league pay different amounts depending on how many players are already members of the ISE.
If all players have an annual membership – which costs £89 – they will not have to pay for renting a pitch.
Brian Ewing, Director of the Institute for Sport and Exercise, said: “We have met with representatives of the university’s Sunday football league to address concerns they raised about pitch fees.
“We are also trying to organise a meeting with those behind the petition to clarify some of the statements and figures that they have quoted.
“Students who join ISE pay no additional visitation charge to use any of our facilities and a significant proportion of Sunday league players are members.
“We are keen to support and encourage participation in student sport in any way we can and will take the appropriate measures to address the concerns raised on this occasion.”
