What does Varsity mean to you? Why should other students care about it?
“Varsity to me means the end of the season. It’s the moment you’ve been building up for. It’s the one event you know everyone’s going to be watching, so there’s a sense of unity and harmony. I think people should attend because it’s a great way to get the whole University together. We don’t spend that much time together outside our faculties, so the idea of getting at least half a stadium full is amazing.” – Maddy
“Varsity has a real sense of community. There’s also pride on the line, and we did come on top last year! It’s such a different environment to play, there’s never as much excitement like when we play at Varsity – you can’t hear yourself on court. It’s crazy! And it’s so nice seeing everyone come together to support each other.” – Gemma
You won last year! What did it feel like to be out there on the court at Varsity, watched and supported by hundreds of students?
“I was on the bench because I was injured, but we could all feel the pressure. It was so tense. You played every ball. You were there for every moment of success and loss. It felt so good to be a part of that team.” – Maddy
“Last year was a tough game. It was really close. We only ended up winning by three or four goals, so we had to keep pushing. You just couldn’t stop. We supported each other, and the crowd was amazing. It was so good!” – Gemma
Let’s talk about what it’s like to be a student athlete! How do you balance it all? What motivates you?
“Time management is really important. It’s about finding the gaps where you can fit everything, so you can find balance – University, sports, and other commitments – and have a well-rounded University experience.” – Maddy
“It can be hard. It’s all about time management. You have to start things, like University deadlines, really far in advance. If you want to do everything, you just have to be organised. But if you want to do something, you can do it. And it might feel like sport is the most important thing, but the University comes first – that is your future.” – Gemma
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?
“Sports societies are really important – not just to stay active, but especially to make friends. You do build incredible friendships. You see each other at least four times a week. And it gives you another place to put any stress or any anxiety.” – Maddy
“If I hadn’t joined Netball, my University experience would’ve been completely different. All my best friends are girls I met through Netball. It’s such a great way to meet people who are like you. Especially if you’ve played the sport from a young age, you’re going to meet people with similar experiences and interests. All sports clubs are passionate about the socialising aspect – outside of the sporting environment too. Coming to University can be quite lonely, and you have to put yourself out there to make friends, and it’s really easy to do that through sport.” – Gemma
This article has been edited for clarity before being published.
