Sports in Cambridge are like political parties in the UK. There are two big ones, and a lot of smaller ones which you probably won’t hear about unless you’re part of them. And like political parties, the small sports get the occasional chance to set out their ideas, hand out leaflets, send out emails and bring in new blood. The inevitable boon is exciting, but the taste soon turns bitter as emails go unreturned, the obligatory Facebook group falls into disuse and interest ebbs away to the hegemons, rowing and football.

But surely we can turn our gaze, for a moment at least, and appreciate the struggles and vindications of pluralism in Cambridge sport. All the varieties of physical activity you could ever want to try are on offer somewhere here (you just should have paid more attention at Fresher’s fair). Ever tried Korfball? A fast-paced, mixed-sex, Dutch team sport, it describes itself as a mix between netball, basketball and handball. Who could turn down such a cocktail? If hand sports aren’t for you but you still like variety, there’s triathlon. Ju-jitsu, Gymnastics, even gliding are also on offer!

But regardless of their merit, many struggle to commit to these activities. As term trudges on and deciding your priorities becomes the priority, it is these sports that suffer. For some of Cambridge’s underappreciated sports, the malaise sets in even earlier.

Matt Jones, a heavyweight in Emmanuel’s Synchronised Swimming Society, told me of the difficulties incumbent on the administrators of niche activities like his. Quirky props and sweet-bribes go some way to bridging the gap, but as he told me: “Even Juan, the sombrero-wearing penguin, wasn’t enough to entice freshers away from the larger stalls.” It may be the case that the college system weakens support for such activities, with interest being diluted across the colleges. Diluted or not, it is around this time in term when people look at their archery bows and their lacrosse sticks and wonder: “Do I have the time?”

But I urge you to persevere. We should cherish these sporting underdogs, committed to their trade. They will never find themselves speeding down the Thames in an afternoon slot on BBC One, nor do they expect the congratulations of anyone but their fellow sportsmen. These are the quiet heroes of Cambridge sport.

It may be nearing the end of Michaelmas, but why not brace the cold, pull your socks up, and take up one of Cambridge’s niche sports? If the mud and rain doesn’t appeal, you could take up an indoor activity like Judo. There is always something new to try in Cambridge, and who would want one of these rare breeds to die out this winter?