At such a big university, the sense of community that the Varsity series provides is amazing.
Varsity has hype for a reason.
Whether you wholly detest King’s, sort of love to hate it, or feel indifferent to our neighbouring university, it is the most important match most sports teams will play during their time at UCL.
I felt coming to UCL that I was a very small fish going into the biggest pond possible. After all, we are the largest in-person university in England.
With the University being so large, it can feel impersonal at times. I know I am not the only one who has felt out of depth coming to such a large institution.
But Varsity made the massive University feel like a tight knit community. Bumping into coursemates, different societies, even just random people you’ve chatted to at Phineas.
Seeing many schlepping to suburbia to watch university students kick a ball around and show off their love for something they have been enjoying for years was incredibly enjoyable. I didn't know most of the players in the Varsity matches, but best believe I was shouting “U-C-L” (and other less PG chants) to the best of my ability.
Additionally, it was really nice to just support fellow students. Academic achievement can feel daunting, but there is something so charming about backing the students that have invested training alongside studying at a competitive university.
Some captains gave it their all to appreciate the achievement of their squads: posting media campaigns and player profiles, making sure the squad was in the right headspace, admin and training to make sure the game runs smoothly. All whilst managing the pressure of the biggest match of the year.
Varsity will probably be the most-watched match that many of the student athletes will ever play in. The series also creates characters. This year’s fresher involvement in matches was around 60%.
It is common for most universities to give Varsity games to the second and third years, as a reward for proving themselves, but I found it really endearing that most squads gave opportunities to the newcomers.
Freshers can make a name for themselves. The drive of getting into that Varsity squad can provide a motivating goal for many.
I think most of us can remember a primary school campaign teaching us the benefits of playing sports. University can be a time where students neglect their health by resorting to all nighters and Red Bulls to stay on top of assignments. Whilst DAPs and illegible lecture notes can make university life feel hellish at times, sports can provide an outlet.
Being able to contribute to a scorebook and be posted on the club’s match day squad can feel like a massive achievement. Like you’re part of something special.
Yes, the UCL and KCL Varsity is not like India versus Pakistan cricket level of rivalry, but creating an entertaining narrative about this long-term competition with King’s has so much value in exhibiting student achievement.
At the end of the day, Varsity is a way for uni students to cosplay as their favourite athletes, get a little bit of student media coverage, maybe cause a campus frenzy, and play the sport they love.
It is both not really that serious, but also "I’d rather go to SOAS than to King’s", I #bleedpurple, and am mates with Burlington Bertie.
As most teaching ends at the end of term two, it is a really lovely way for 20-year-olds to let off steam and get recognition that sometimes universities fail to provide through academics.
And to King’s… in the words of Amy Winehouse, “love is a losing game.” Though you lost the series by Wednesday, you still showed up for us. Like any football team trying to play against Arsenal’s 2003-4 squad, despite the result of the series being likely to favour TeamUCL, you still gave it a good go.
I enjoyed the arduous journeys to the outskirts of London, watching some people I’ve only ever seen in Scala and the Rocket give it their all in their favourite sport.
Also, it does help that we won the series 32-13!