Freshers guide to Cambridge sport
Romilly Norfolk provides a comprehensive explanation of the odd structure of Cambridge sport
Cambridge is a great place to get involved in sport. There’s something for everyone: from picking up a new hobby, wanting a runaround on the weekend or aiming to play for the University, there is opportunity for everyone.
Sport at Cambridge is often split into two: college sport and university sport. College sport is self-explanatory: it’s sport offered by colleges, often basics like rugby and netball. Sport in college tends to be less hardcore than university sport and is more accessible for beginners and casuals. University sport has a wider range of sports available to join than college sport. This makes it great for those looking to pick up something new. Sport at a university level is also where there is the chance to gain a ‘Blue’, for which you must play at the highest level of university sport, including a Varsity fixture, to be bestowed the honour.
College Sport
College sport is for everyone. From your Blues captains, to your mate that hates the walk to Sidgwick Site. It’s good for keeping up your fitness or if you just want to have a semi-serious kickabout on the weekend.
College sports can range from PE classics such as football and rugby, to ultimate frisbee or snooker. First teams are great for those who want to try to break out into a Blues squad, but second and third teams are great for those looking for something more casual. Depending on how sporty and how big your college is will determine what sports are on offer and how many teams they have for that sport. Beware however: many colleges’ sports grounds are not near the college itself, so your Saturday morning fixture will likely begin with a bike ride.
University Sport
You may think university sport is only for those who have played their entire lives and have a chance at getting a Blue. Well, you’d be wrong. The wide range of sports on offer at a university level means that there are sports not available at a college level for students to join. You can try your hand at Karate or Trampolining, or discover something new like Korfball or Orienteering. The Cambridge Adult Disability Multi Sport (CADMuS) Club also provides a programme of Disability MultiSport activities, so everyone has access to sport at a university level.
But if you think you’ve got the skill to play at a university level then go for a try-out and see if you can get the fated ‘Full Blue’.
- Features / Challenging tradition and dressing down in Cambridge5 November 2024
- Fashion / Why did we stop wearing heels? 7 November 2024
- Comment / Don’t (just) go to your lectures1 November 2024
- News / Cambridge backs tuition fee hike8 November 2024
- News / Pro-Palestinian protesters gather for remembrance rally10 November 2024