A Southampton canoe club has been given a £1,500 grant for new equipment.

Southampton University Canoe Club has been awarded the funds from Union Southampton. The group is the student voice at the University of Southampton.

The student canoe club, which consists of more than 100 members, intends to spend the grant on boats and a white-water safety and rescue course, which is used to train students up to safety standards for residential trips.

Union vice president for sport, Tom Provan said: “I’m delighted that we have awarded Canoe Club with the funding to get new equipment.

“We are very proud of our student groups’ sports successes and we encourage as many of our members to get involved with clubs and societies when they are studying at the University.”

The club meets every Monday and Thursday, with a river session every Wednesday.

Nick Yates, kit secretary for the society said: “We didn’t expect the application to be so successful. Two members from the committee sent in very strong applications and the union has been very generous.”

The club applied for the funding following their achievement of third position at the national student rodeo in Nottingham, in which 60 universities took part. It’s the largest freestyle kayaking event for students in the world.

The union funds more than £200,000 of funding to student clubs and societies every year. Students can apply for funding during three different rounds throughout the year.

The union represents the student voice at the university and offers support with courses, money, housing and employability.

Tom Provan said: “The society is run really well and for the best of all its members. I hope the funding will continue to grow the group and I look forward to hearing more successes in the future.”

Students wanting to apply can find out more information through www.unionsouthampton.org/groups/admin/howto/funding.