Welcome, or welcome back to Oxford – knowingly, a university that is one of the richest worldwide in its traditions. These manifest themselves not only in the abundance of academic resources and possibilities, but also outside of libraries and lecture halls.
Oxford sports have a long and decorated history dating back to the 19th century and is ever evolving. Practising a sport, or even just attending sports events, has been a popular mental compensation for the heavy academic load, while being beneficial for your physical health as well. 2024 offers an increase in general opportunities, coaching, as well as a greater inclusivity of sports societies – so if you find yourself wondering whether you should get involved, here is what you need to know about Oxford University sports in Michaelmas Term 2024.
The Oxford University Sports website is a great place to start, providing an overview of all types of sports available to students. What makes the university’s programmes so convenient (alongside their comparatively cheap prices) is their accessibility. The “Sport Mark Details” on the website are symbols allocated to each sport, signalling its accessibility opportunities or level of competitiveness, for instance. The website also offers information on gym memberships or special offers, such as swimming.
If you are interested in doing a sport or attending sports events but don’t know where to start, here are some suggestions and things to look out for this term.
At the end of October, the Iffley Road Sports Centre will host the first Michaelmas Inter-College Cuppers in athletics. Sports competitions between colleges are called “Cuppers” and several colleges have their own (athletic) teams competing against each other. This first Cupper provides a special opportunity for newcomers, since Oxford University Athletic Club (OUAC) veterans are not allowed to compete – a chance to try your luck!
If you prefer a team sport, there is a plethora of sports clubs happily welcoming new members. You can take your pick from badminton, football, rugby, basketball, hockey, etc., with the season starting in Michaelmas Term and finishing for the most part with (Inter-College) Cuppers in Trinity Term. A personal highlight will be the American Football season, starting in November. Like many other sports teams, the Oxford Lancers will finish off their season with a Varsity Match against Cambridge. Alongside the regular weekly matchups, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the sport as a spectator.
Last but certainly not least, we must not forget one of the most widely participated traditional sports at Oxford: rowing. No matter the time, no matter the weather, rowing continues to be one of the most famous activities for students. Oxford has inclusive male and female teams competing in races during the term, such as the Autumn Fours on November 10th. These races culminate in a spectacular contest against Cambridge on the River Thames in London; a great chance for contestants to showcase their skills and for supporters to cheer them on.
Generally speaking, Oxford University Sports is an inclusive, social space, and is about supporting each other and becoming better together in a safe environment. Many teams also organise regular socials and team events to support this idea. And if you have not found anything you would be interested in yet, there are a lot of other types of sports for you to try – some of them fairly niche. When activities, like windsurfing, skiing, gym, or even walking catch your attention, feel free to check out the website and find a new way to balance out your academic weight.