What does Varsity mean to you? Why should other students care about it?
“Varsity to me is a great opportunity to promote our sport because ice-hockey isn’t that popular in the UK. So we get to invite ice-hockey fanatics and people who have never seen the sport before to come together and see what the two Universities have to offer. In terms of skill level, we have players from different backgrounds, and it is nice to showcase the talent and to hopefully get people to join the club. Our main goal is to grow the sport within the University and get as many people to play as possible.” – Karim
“I agree that ice-hockey is not the biggest sport in the UK, so Varsity allows us to promote the talent we have. It is also one of the hardest sports, so we can showcase the level and the skill of the athletes we have and give them some appreciation.” – Nikita
What does it feel like to be out there on the ice at Varsity, watched and supported by hundreds of students?
“Last year was our first Varsity, and it was really good. We won 3:1. We only expected 200 people because that’s how many tickets we had sold, but we ended up having 400. So it exceeded our expectations. From what I heard, it was the second most attended event within all of Varsity, so it was a huge surprising achievement. The atmosphere was amazing, and it was so nice to have people supporting us because that’s not what we normally have throughout the season. We had a fight as well, which got everyone excited! There really isn’t anything like it, and not everybody gets to represent their University, so it was a huge privilege.” – Karim
“Yes, the atmosphere was incredible – everyone shouting, cheering on. For many of us, it was the first time playing with that many fans, and hopefully this year we’ll have even more. It does make you feel like you’re a part of something bigger, something more than just a small University club, and it gives you hope for promoting the club, because people do like and appreciate the sport.” – Nikita
Let’s talk about what it’s like to be a student athlete! How do you balance it all? What motivates you?
“I’m from Malaysia, and I used to play with the Malaysian national team. So balancing my studies and hockey has always been a challenge, but I’m used to it now. There’s no secret formula to it. If you want to do something, you find the time and effort to do it. It’s all about making the time for the things you really want. Most of my training is at night, so I always try to block a few hours to dedicate to training or gym. Not only do I want to study and do well with my career, but I also want to try to get to the highest level possible at hockey, so I’m just doing the best I can.” – Karim
“Being a student athlete means doing something you really love alongside something you need to do and have been planning to do for a while. I’m here on a student visa, so education is always the priority. It’s all about having a schedule and making time for training. It can add up and it can feel overwhelming, but, at the end of the day, we are doing what we love. I’m on the ice five hours a week, in the gym ten – twelve hours a week, and University is in between that. So it might be challenging at times, but it does feel very rewarding, knowing that you’re succeeding at a sport and doing well in studies, and setting yourself up for the future.” – Nikita
Why is it important to have access to sports clubs at the University? How has it enhanced your student experience, and what skills have you gained?
“You could look at it as a way to get fit, of course, but for me joining a sports club is all about the people. You want to have the right people, the right support system, around you. And I think the best way to meet people is to be more involved with sports and with societies in general.” – Karim
“This is the third country I’ve lived in, and moving for me has always been very difficult. When I moved to the UK, I was 17, and I didn’t like anything about it. I couldn’t find any friends, and all I would do was go to the University and the gym, and I felt like something was missing, because I had no social life in those first few months after moving here. After playing ice-hockey for seven years, I always wanted to continue it beyond my childhood and to play for the University, but I felt demotivated to join the club at first. Still, I decided to see what ice-hockey was like in the UK compared to other countries I’d played in, so I joined the club, and I met like-minded people with similar interests there. If you’re struggling mentally or physically, joining a club is so important and beneficial, because you have those people around you who you share interests with, who understand you, who you can call friends, and who really are there for you. It also helps you grow as an athlete and as a person.” – Nikita
This article has been edited for clarity before being published.
