Whether you’re an incoming fresher determined to break into the Blues squads or a finalist determined that this year will be the one where you finally use those trainers that have been sitting in the back of your cupboard since your last P.E. lesson at school, getting into sport at university can seem a little intimidating. Luckily for you, Cherwell has put together a handy guide; here is how to enter Oxford’s sporting elite in 6 easy (if potentially a little tiring) steps…
1) Do your research
If you already compete in a particular sport or know you would like to try a particular one, most clubs have websites or Facebook pages you can look at to find out more about them and contact existing members. Or you can use http://www.sport.ox.ac.uk to browse the many sports clubs so you can show off your knowledge at the Freshers’ Fair when you are the only person to know what Octopush is.
2) Attend pre-season training
Anyone who is serious about participating in Blues sport should consider attending one of the pre-season training camps run by many of the clubs, including hockey and netball. These are a great way to meet the teams and show off your skills away from the chaos of trials during freshers’ week.
3) Get your Freshers’ Fair tactics right
Most people do one of two things at the Freshers’ Fair: sign up for every single sports club in sight or run round the sports section faster than Roger Bannister at Iffley Road. Whichever of these approaches choose, you may regret it later on. Instead, you could actually talk to some of the people on the stands, and sign up for a few things that there is a genuine chance you might go to. Remember that these people don’t want to waste their time adding names to their mailing list for no reason, so if it sounds dull then move on to the next stand. After all, there are at least 10 more to get through just in the martial arts section.
4) Turn up
Possibly the most daring of all these suggestions, particularly if you are a sporting rookie or a fresher who ignored number 3 and signed up for Korfball just so you didn’t have to listen to the entire rulebook being explained, but how about going along to something you signed up for and actually doing some sport? I know this is a bit radical but it might actually be fun and a great way to either bond with some existing friends by dragging them along as well or making some new ones. Many clubs run free taster sessions in the first few weeks of term so if you’re unsure then do have a go because you may discover an unknown talent for a new sport. If this sounds like too much effort, lots of clubs also hold informal drinks evenings, so you can go along and hang out with Oxford’s sporting elite even if you don’t want to train with them.
5) Memberships
If you decide that sport is your thing then eventually you will have to pay some membership fees. These vary from club to club but if you are relatively talented and/or lucky your college may give you some funding for them. You may also want to become a member of the sports facilities at Iffley Road, which include a pool, athletics track and a gym and are where most sports clubs train. The membership fees for students are very reasonably priced if you opt for a 3 year membership and give you the chance to perfect your physique between lectures. You might even get lucky and attend a college where the JCR pays for membership…
6) Don’t forget college sport
If, after a strenuous pre-season with the Blues squad, you think something a little more laid back might suit you, there is always plenty of rowing, rugby, football, netball, squash and more to be done at college level, with a good helping of social events on the side. And those who say college sport isn’t serious enough clearly didn’t attend some of the hotly contested Cuppers competitions of last year, which saw last-gasp victories, heartbreaking defeats and even a few broken bones.
As you can hopefully see, getting involved in sport at Oxford should not seem intimidating or particularly complicated, even if you aspire to do it at a high level. Most clubs and teams are happy to welcome novice and experienced athletes alike and you will soon be kitted out in your stash and feel part of Oxford’s proud sporting tradition. And even if you aren’t going to reach the glorified Blues standards, sport can still provide you with new friends, a way to escape from work, endless fun and hopefully a few successes along the way. Good luck, and see you at Iffley.
