University Sports Facilities

The University itself has a variety of gyms and sports grounds to choose from, where many of the sports clubs practice, however students are also free to go train independently and use the resources available throughout Oxford: running machines, ellipticals, ergs, the pool, weights etc.

Iffley Road Complex

The Iffley Road Complex (website) is the closest sports facility to Exeter house, the student hall of residence. Currently Exeter College students have free entry to: the pool, the track and the pulse room.

Sports Clubs

There are a huge range of sports clubs available in Oxford and anyone can join them, many of them have a long-standing historic status worldwide. Most clubs require fees but these are generally very low and may also be refunded by an Exeter College Sports Grant. Even if you are not familiar with a particular sport, Oxford sports clubs provide all students with an amazing opportunity to learn a new sport. Experienced athletes arriving in Oxford will find dedicated teams full of highly gifted individuals whom compete at an extremely professional and serious level.

For information on all the clubs listed below, including websites and club contacts, go to this web page:
http://www.sport.ox.ac.uk/club-contacts/index_html
If you have any questions about sports at Exeter College or in Oxford in general do not hesitate to contact the Exeter MCR Sports Officer Kate Kingsbury: kate.kingsbury@exeter.ox.ac.uk

Aikido club

Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts. The Oxford team is open to all and offers a non-aggressive and non-competitive environment for anyone who wishes to learn a martial art.

Alternatives Pick-Up Ice Hockey

often referred to simply as hockey is a team sport played on ice. The Alts unlike the Ice Hockey team (see below) play for fun and are not competitive. This is one of the most informal clubs: you just show up, play ice hockey and have a good time.

American Football

known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive team sport known for mixing strategy with physical play. The object of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. The Oxford club are known as the Cavaliers. Information on the club such as the amount charged and how the fees can be paid are to be found on the facebook group Oxford Cavaliers.

Archery

is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. Archery has historically been used in hunting and combat and has become a precision sport. The Oxford team is open to all and competes across the country.

Athletics

also known as track and field athletics, is a collection of sports events that involve running, throwing and jumping. The name is derived from the Greek word "athlos" meaning "contest". The Oxford club are the world's oldest athletics club and have a fine history of athletic excellence winning events locally and internationally. The club is open to all levels of athletes and provides top calibre instruction as well as facilities.

Aussie Rules Football

Australian football, Aussie rules, or simply football or footy is a team sport played between two teams of 18 players with a ball in the shape of a prolate spheroid. It is a football variant played outdoors on large oval shaped grass fields (often also used as a cricket ground), with four goal posts at each end. The highlight of the Oxford club's year is the Varsity game against Cambridge.

Badminton

is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Oxford University Badminton Club (O.U.Ba.C.) is one of the largest sport clubs in Oxford with over 150 members. At Club Night, players of any standard are welcome. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly and there will always be like minded players around to have a good match or two. The Squad offers the opportunity for experienced players to compete against other universities in the UK and prepare for the annual Varsity Match against Cambridge.

Baseball

is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The goal of baseball is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four markers called bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot square, or diamond. Players on one team (the batting team) take turns hitting while the other team (the fielding team) tries to stop them from scoring runs by getting hitters out in any of several ways. The Oxford Kings, as the team is known, compete nationally and are open to all.

Basketball

is a team sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m) high hoop (the goal) under organized rules. Basketball is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world. Oxford has men's and women's teams which compete across the country and in a Blues event at the final Varsity game against Cambridge.

Boat Club – Men’s

The club compete in the Boat Race, a unique rowing event steeped in history: an annual challenge, which commenced in 1829, between the boat clubs of the two oldest and most prestigious universities in the world: Oxford and Cambridge. The Boat Race is a quintessential part of the nation's culture, and as such generates an astonishing level of interest, both in Britain and worldwide.

Boat Club – Women’s

see above

Boxing

is a combat sport in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists. Steeped in tradition, OUABC was founded in 1881. Only Battersea ABC, London (1879) is older. The famous Belsize ABC (The Gentlemen’s Club) – which Oxford graduates joined when they were employed in the City of London – was founded in 1867, but it no longer boxes. OUABC is therefore the oldest student-run boxing club in Britain. OUABC is open to beginners and experienced boxers and offers great social events too.

Bujinkan Ninjitsu

sometimes used interchangeably with the term ninpō (忍法, ninpō) is the martial art, strategy, and tactics of unconventional warfare and guerilla warfare practiced by the shinobi (also commonly known outside of Japan as the ninja). The club is run by an excellent instructor and involves top quality lessons for Oxford students.

Canoe and Kayak

Canoeing usually refers exclusively to using a paddle to propel a canoe with only human muscle power. A kayak is propelled using a paddle with two blades where the paddler sits with their legs mostly extended in front of them, whereas canoes are propelled using single- or double-bladed paddles where the paddler - a "canoeist" or "canoer"- is kneeling or sitting on seat or thwart, with their knees bent and their legs more or less beneath them. Kayaks are usually closed-decked boats with a spray deck, while canoes are usually open boats. Oxford University Canoe and Kayak Club is a friendly and fun club open to all newcomers and experienced boatsmen alike.

Cave

is the recreational sport of exploring caves. The challenges of the sport depend on the cave being visited, but often include the negotiation of pitches, squeezes, and water. Climbing or crawling is often necessary, and ropes are used extensively for safety of the negotiation of particularly steep or slippery passages. The Club organizes many exceptional events such as a yearly summer trip caving in Spain and in the last 30 years, the club has discovered, explored and mapped some of the deepest caves ever found by British clubs - including two caves over 1000m deep.

Cheerleading

is a sport that uses organized routines made from elements of some tumbling, dance, jumps and stunting to direct the event's spectators to cheer on sports teams at games and matches and/or compete at cheerleading competitions. The club offer many socials and cheerlead for many of the important Oxford University matches and games.

Cricket – Men’s

is a bat-and-ball sport contested by two teams, usually of eleven players each. A cricket match is played on a grass field, roughly oval in shape, in the centre of which is a flat strip of ground 22 yards long, called a cricket pitch. A wicket, usually made of wood, is placed at each end of the pitch. There are two main teams: the Blues and the Authentics play matches throughout the season, culminating in the Varsity matches at the end of the year, alternating between The Parks and Fenners on an annual basis. The Varsity match is one of Cricket's most historic fixtures, dating back to 1827. There are separate men's and women's teams.

Cricket – Women’s

see above

Croquet

is a game played both as a recreational pastime and as a competitive sport which involves hitting wooden or plastic balls with a mallet through hoops embedded into the grass playing arena. The historic University Croquet Club exists to promote croquet within the University at all levels. Whether you would like a social pastime or the challenge of competitive croquet – the club will accommodate you.

Cross Country

is a sport in which teams of runners compete to complete a course over open or rough terrain faster than other teams. Cross-country is one of only fourteen Full Blue sports in the University and one that consistently maintains an extremely high standard of competition. Many athletes regularly compete at national, regional and county levels, with some of the best having run internationally.

Cycling

The team supports a wide range of cycling disciplines such as time trailing, mountain biking, hill climbing, cyclo-cross, road racing, track events, and leisurely touring. The club encourage women in cycling and have some very successful teams.

Dancesport

denotes dance as a sport activity. Oxford University Dancesport Club provides classes at all levels in all aspects of Dancesport for students and others in Oxford, as well as balls and an annual intercollegiate "Cuppers" Competition. The Club exists to allow people to learn social dancing and to have fun through dancing. OUDC has over 1000 members, making it the largest sporting society in the University, and the third largest society after the Oxford Union and the Guild.

Eton Fives

one derivative of the British game of Fives, is a hand-ball game, similar to Rugby Fives, played as doubles in a three-sided court. The object is to force the other team to fail to hit the ball 'up' off the front wall, using any variety of wall or ledge combinations as long as the ball is played 'up' before it bounces twice. Contact the team for more information.

Football – Mens

involves kicking a ball with the foot in an attempt to score a goal. There are separate men's and women's teams. There are two men's University teams at Oxford, both of which compete in the BUSA league: the Blues (first team) and Centaurs (second team).

Football – Womens

Two women's teams, the Blues and Furies, compete in the BUSA championship and in annual Varsity matches.

Fencing

Fencing is the art of armed combat involving foils, épées and sabres directly manipulated by hand, rather than shot, thrown or positioned. The Oxford University Fencing Club is one of Britain’s oldest and most successful fencing clubs. Founded in 1891, it is a strong university club with a wide appeal whose members compete locally and internationally.

Floorball

is an indoor team sport also known as unihoc played using composite or carbon sticks with a plastic vented blade where the aim is to put a light plastic ball into the opponent's goal. The team is new and invites novices and experienced players to join.

Gaelic Games

are the traditional sports played in Ireland. The two main Gaelic games are Gaelic football and Hurling. The team welcomes men and women to join in and compete in matches across Britain.

Golf – Men's

is a sport in which a player, using many types of clubs including a driver, a putter, and irons, hits a ball into each hole on a golf course in the lowest possible number of strokes. There are separate men and women's teams. The Varsity Match against Cambridge University Golf Club is the last, and most important, game of the season.

Golf – Women’s

see above

Gliding

is a recreational activity and competitive sport in which pilots fly un-powered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes. No experienced is needed as full instruction is available at the Oxford Club.

Gymnastics

is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, agility and coordination. It typically involves exercises on uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and vault (for women), and high bar, parallel bars, still rings, floor exercise, vault, and pommel horse (for men). The team compete locally and internationally and have excellent standards.

Handball

is a team sport where two teams of seven players each (six players and a goalkeeper) pass and bounce a ball trying to throw it into the goal of the opposing team. The club is always looking for new players of all levels for both our male and female teams and is open to non-University members.

Hockey

a game in which two teams compete by trying to maneuver a ball, or a hard, round disc called a puck, into the opponent's net or goal, using a hockey stick. OUHC is a highly active, successful and social club with three men's and three women's teams representing Oxford University in both the BUSA leagues and various independent club leagues.

Ice Hockey – Men’s

often referred to simply as hockey is a team sport played on ice. The Ice-Hockey team are competitive unlike the Oxford Alts Ice Hockey team. There are separate men and women's teams. The Oxford University Ice Hockey Club (Dark Blues) was established in 1885 and is the second oldest club in the world after McGill University's ice hockey team. In recognition the OUIHC sweater hangs proudly in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Ice Hockey – Women’s

see above

Ice Skating

involves travelling on ice with skates, narrow blade-like devices moulded into special boots. OSISC was set up in Michaelmas Term 2006 to provide a focal point for Oxford skaters.

Jitsu

is a national-level association of jujutsu clubs headquartered in the United Kingdom. Focusing on standing throws and locks using weakening strikes to assist, the style taught within the association is known as Shorinji Kan Jiu Jitsu. The Jitsu club aim to offer a harmonious environment for Oxford students to acquire new skills within.

Judo

is a modern Japanese martial art and combat sport. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking the elbow or by applying a choke. The team are located in a dedicated dojo at the Oxford University Sports Centre off Jackdaw Lane & Iffley Road.

Karate

is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands from indigenous fighting methods and Chinese kenpō. It is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands and ridge-hands. The OUKC is affiliated to the JKAE which practices Shotokan Karate. The club has several very experienced instructors.

Karate-do-Shotokai

is the organization formed in 1936 by Gichin Funakoshi to teach karate. The organization still exists and promotes a form of martial art that strictly adheres to O-Sensei's teachings, in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate. Nowadays, the name also designates a style and technique. The teams goal is to educate and inform novices and seasoned members alike providing professional instruction.

Kendo

is the Japanese martial art of sword-fighting. Kendo developed from traditional techniques of Japanese swordsmanship known as kenjutsu. The club is particularly keen to attract new members with no experience of kendo. The club's goals are to encourage personal physical and mental development, through the practice of kendo and too promote an appreciation of Japanese culture to its members.

Kickboxing

refers to the sport of using martial-arts-style kicks and boxing-style punches to defeat an opponent in a similar way to that of standard boxing. Kickboxing is a standing sport and does not allow continuation of the fight once a combatant has reached the ground. The Oxford University Kickboxing Club considers kickboxing to be a martial art and is a very inclusive and friendly club open to novices and professionals alike.

Korfball

is a team ball game, similar in many ways to mixed netball. Korfball is one of the only truly mixed sports teams and OUKoc offer a wide range of social activities alongside sporting fun.

Kitesurfing

the team practice a sport which involves wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (which is like a wakeboard). Contact the club for more information.

Lacrosse (Men's, Women's, Mixed)

is a full contact team sport played using a solid rubber ball and long handled racket called a crosse or lacrosse stick. The Women’s Blues are also champions of the BUSA South Premier League and have been semi-finalists in the BUSA championships for the past three years, placing them among the top four university teams in the country. Men's lacrosse is a Discretionary Blue sport in Oxford. This means that everybody who plays in the Varsity Match (versus Cambridge in March) receives at least a Half-Blue, with up to four people receiving a Full-Blue at the captain's discretion. OULC is one of the oldest lacrosse clubs in the country, and was the first sport in Oxford to be awarded a Half-Blue, playing the first Varsity Match against Cambridge in 1903.

Lawn Tennis

is a racquet sport played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles).OULTC dates back to 1880 and is based at the Oxford University Sports Complex at Iffley Road. All Oxford University members are welcome to join. OULTC have four hard courts and a tennis pavilion, and in the summer play on six grass courts.

Lifesaving

The club exists to teach people basic and advanced lifesaving skills and to enter teams into competitions. The club welcomes beginners and professionals.

Lightweight Rowing - Men’s

is the lightweight rowing program whereby boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water. The club's aim is to beat Cambridge University in the lightweight boat race each year. There are separate women's and men's teams.

Lightweight Rowing – Women’s

The Oxford University Women’s Lightweight Rowing Club trains to race Cambridge University at the Henley Boat Races in spring each year, earning the crew Half or Full Blues. The summer involves racing at some of the top regattas in the UK and abroad including BUSA, Gent, Henley Women’s Regatta and the National Championships.

Modern Pentathlon

In Modern Pentathlon individuals compete over five disciplines- Shooting, Fencing, Swimming, Riding, & Running. The sport is a true test of all-round ability and physical stamina. OUMPA is Oxford University's modern pentathlon club training in Oxford's first-class facilities located at Iffley Road and competing in a number of internal matches and external competitions up to National level. Past members have gone on to the GBR team and even to Olympic success. At Varsity level, the basis of the OUMPA's success in recent years, has been the wide variety of its members. There is an equal balance of men and women.

Motor Drivers

If you're interested in karting, rallying or motor sport in general, the OUMDC has a lot to offer you. From racing at internal events and at cuppers, to taking on the best in the UK as part of the British University Karting Championship (BUKC) the team has events to cater for all abilities and experience.

Mountaineering

Formed in 1909 by members of the Oxford Alpine Club, OUMC is one of the oldest university climbing clubs in the UK. Although the Club is affiliated to the University of Oxford, it is open to the general public as well as University members and alumni, providing a network of like-minded friends throughout Oxford and the surrounding area. OUMC is one of the University's most active clubs, with climbing or social meetings taking place almost on a daily basis. For Oxford students it provides the best way to meet other climbers within the University and get out to the crags at weekends.

Netball

is a non-contact generally indoor sport similar to, and derived from, basketball. It is a women's only sport team. It was originally known in its country of origin, the United States, as "women's basketball". The team play in local and national events.

Orienteering

is a sport which provides different things for different people. For some, it is merely about the opportunity to escape from the city and run in natural environments. For others, it is about the challenge of finishing a course using fine navigation techniques. Finally, it is also an extremely competitive sport which requires its elites to maintain an extremely high level of physical performance. The club supports a range of abilities and always welcomes beginners. The most effective way for an orienteer to improve is through gaining experience in the forest, which the club facilitates by taking a minibus to an event each weekend.

OURC's (College Rowing)

Oxford University Rowing Clubs is the confederation of OUBC, OUWBC, OULRC and OUWLRC. It is the body which has authority over the conduct of all College crews, and is responsible for organizing inter-collegiate contests.

Octopush

is Oxford's underwater hockey team. Octopush is a non-contact sport in which two teams compete to manoeuvre a puck across the bottom of a swimming pool into goals while wearing a snorkel, mask and fins. The team offers free trials to anyone wanting to give it a go.

Pistol

Oxford University Pistol Club is among the more distinguished clubs in the University, with a long history of producing some high quality shooters. Today's Club is one of the smaller and friendlier clubs, and provides an introduction to the world of pistol shooting disciplines. OUPC will develop your skills as a shooter, and give you quality coaching from the start through to the top levels of OUPC shooting.

Polo

is a team sport played outdoors on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Riders score by driving a white wooden or plastic ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet. Goals are only valid if the scoring rider is mounted. The team compete throughout the UK.

Pool

is a cue sport that is played on a large baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. The club have a women's, men's and old boy's team that compete in town vs gown as well as national competitions.

Powerlifting

is a strength sport involving the lifting of heavy weights in three events: the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. The goal of powerlifting is to lift as much weight as is possible. Lifts are judged according to age, gender and body weight. Although the squat, bench press and deadlift are the competition lifts, in training, powerlifters regularly employ many other exercises for the sake of muscular balance, to avoid injury and to assist with the competition lifts. OUPLC is run by experienced lifters and is open to beginners as well as more professional lifters. The club features two teams one for novices and the other for experienced lifters who compete against Cambridge every year as well as taking part in cuppers and other meets.

Punting

The Oxford University Punting Society (OUPS) is a student-run society dedicated to promoting and teaching people how to punt. Any member of Oxford University is welcome to join, whether they have past experience of punting or not.

Rackets

is an indoor racquet sport . The sport is infrequently called "hard rackets," possibly to distinguish it from the related sport of squash. Contact the club for further information.

Real Tennis

The Oxford University Tennis Club is the home of "Real Tennis". This is the original "royal" tennis played in an indoor court with sloping surfaces, galleries, and other unusual features. The club is open to all, not just to members of the University. There is play at all levels with junior, student and senior members playing all year round. There is a busy schedule involving some 50 matches every year, plus 20 National League matches, and another 8 tournaments. The club is a friendly place, presided over by two full-time professionals, and membership is simple - just phone or call in and talk to the pros.

Riding

the Club has two main aims: to provide riders with a social situation in which to meet and to allow them to continue their sport while at university. The club has a friendly atmosphere and welcomes riders with different levels of experience. Regular lessons are organized for every level from beginner to advanced. There are also regular social events, both with and without an equestrian theme. For those that wish to compete, the club will have three teams this year. The first team will compete in the BUSA Championship league, and the second and third teams in the BUSA Shield league. The club also runs friendly competitions for all members throughout the year, including cuppers, an intercollegiate event held in Trinity term.

Rifle

shooting sports team which organizes events where competitors can obtain a half blue. OURC has smallbore practice sessions at ranges at the Lord Nuffield Club, Castle Way, Cowley.

Rugby Fives

Rugby Fives is a court game dating back centuries, and is most easily described nowadays to non-players as “squash-with-your-hands”. It has a long history at Oxford University with its season typically spanning the first two terms of the academic year. The majority of players within the club are continuing the sport, which they initially played at school level. Fixtures are played against other universities, clubs and schools as well as entering various national tournaments, with the season culminating in the annual varsity match against Cambridge towards the end of Hilary term.

Rugby Union (OURFC)

Rugby has a long history at Oxford. Besides the fact that William Webb Ellis, the founder of the sport, was a student at Brasenose College, the Oxford University Rugby Football Club (OURFC) was founded in 1869, some fifteen months before the foundation of the Rugby Union in 1871, and is regarded as the oldest club in this country. Since its formation OURFC has played a significant role in the development of rugby and the various major changes the game has undergone since its formation 125 years ago. Even in more recent times OURRC has not been shy to lead the way on matters both on and off the field, shown by the initiative taken in being the first Western rugby team to tour Japan after the Second World War in 1951 under the leadership of Peter Fitzgerald. The team compete in numerous home and away fixtures, during the Varsity campaign, the Blues compete against top quality opposition fielding players of the highest caliber. The team welcomes any experienced rugby players.

Rugby– Women’s

see above

Rugby League

Rugby league in Oxford is an exciting and thrilling experience for both the players and the spectators and the team welcome anyone who wishes to attend the matches or the famous socials. The OURL scholarship scheme has been set up to provide financial support to two students applying to Oxford with an interest in Rugby League.

Shorinji Kempo

Shorinji Kempo is a self-defense martial art that originated in Japan, with roots in Buddhism and the practices of the Chinese Shaolin monks. The name is Japanese, and translates literally as "Shaolin Temple Fist Law". Shorinji Kempo is composed of three major parts: Goho (Hard Techniques): Punches, Kicks, Hooks, Blocks
Juho (Soft Techniques): Locks, Pins, Escapes, Throws, Seiho (Healing Techniques): Massages. In the club all ranks train together so that everyone benefits from one-on-one instruction from the higher belts. While commands are in Japanese, participants are always taught their meaning in English prior to use. The club has had its share of international kenshi.

Ski and Snowboard

The aim of the Oxford University Ski & Snowboard Club is to promote skiing and snowboarding throughout the University. The primary focus for the academic year is undoubtedly the Varsity Trip, which operates every Christmas and is fast becoming one of the sporting and social highlights of the Oxbridge calendar. The second alpine trip of the year is the BUSC (British Universities Snowsports Council) trip and takes place over the Easter Vacation. Here OUSSC join 2000 students for two weeks on the largest student trip of its kind in the world. Both trips are open to beginners and world professionals alike. The club normally fields 3 mens and 2 ladies teams for the Varsity Match and enter several teams for the BUSC Championships. They also compete at the BUDS (British Universities Dryslope Chamionships) National Finals and in the King's Series. In addition they organize a Summer Session on the Les Deux Alpes glacier.

Squash Racquets

is a racquet sport called squash in reference to the "squashable" soft ball used in the game. The game is played by two players (or four players for doubles) with "standard" rackets in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. The highlight of the club's year is the varsity game against Cambridge.

SulkiDo

SulKiDo is a traditional Korean martial art with an emphasis on practical self-defense. By combining strikes, throws and locks in a single system it provides a comprehensive range of techniques, useful for dealing with everything from common harassment to street violence. Training in SulKiDo will improve your life by giving higher levels of fitness, all-round flexibility, enhanced co-ordination and greater self-confidence. The club is open to beginners and experienced students alike.

Surf

The club was formed at the beginning of Michaelmas term 2001 by three New College students, 5 years later and surfing in Oxford is still going strong .The club currently has a membership of over 600 students and non-students. We aim to promote surfing in Oxford at all levels of ability and enthusiasm. Every term the club will jump in a minibus, boards in all and head down to Newquay. Beginner members can have lessons which are arranged through one of the local surf schools, whilst other members can show them how its done. In addition, whenever there's surf, someone in the club usually drives to Wales, Devon or Cornwall. During the holidays, there are plans to organize a trip abroad, the club organizes longer trips to places like France, Portugal, Morocco and Ireland. When they can't go surfing the club has fantastic socials in Oxford.

Swimming

Oxford University Swimming Club has existed since 1892. The annual Varsity Match against Cambridge is one of the main highlights of the year and is hosted by Oxford and Cambridge alternately. Training is geared towards the BUSA competitions and this unique event that always has a fantastic atmosphere. They also race the tabs in the biannual team cross-channel varsity race. OUSC competes in Division 1 of the BUSA (British University Sports Association) team Championships. As from July 2006 OUSC became affiliated to the ASA, which entitles OUSC to compete in Open Meets along with the County, Regional and National Championships. The club also organizes an annual Cuppers swimming competition amongst Oxford Colleges. OUSC arranges a number of social events throughout the year, giving members the chance to see each other with their clothes on. The post varsity match party provides an opportunity to unwind after the rigors and stresses of the competition; there is annual club dinner and a Varsity dinner.

Table Tennis

OUTTC offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone with an interest in table tennis to participate in the sport while at Oxford. The club is open to players of all standards. Beginners are provided with bats and balls and a friendly environment in which to knock, while advanced players are given many routes into competitive play.

TaeKwon-Do

is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. It is also regarded as the world's most popular martial art in terms of number of practitioners .[1] Kyeorugi, or sparring, is an official Olympic sporting event. In Korean, tae 태 跆 means "foot"; kwon 권 拳 means "fist"; and do 도 道 means "way"; so taekwondo is loosely translated as "the way of the fist and foot". The highlight of the year is the Varsity match against Cambridge. For more information contact the club or check the facebook group dedicated to OUTKD.

Tai Chi

Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is an ancient Chinese martial art and exercise system, thought to have originated in Taoist monasteries on Wudang Mountain. It benefits health and fitness, and practiced martially, is an effective form of self-defense. 'Tai Chi' is sometimes translated as 'supreme ultimate' or 'great polarity' and is expressed in the symbol of yin and yang. A universal force composed of the powers of yin and yang is central to taoist philosophy. 'Chuan' means fisted hand or boxing, tai chi chuan means supreme ultimate boxing, or a martial art using the principles of yin and yang. Tai Chi relies on technique, balance and softness. The club is open to all from beginners to experienced students.

Tennis (Lawn)

The club has 4 hard courts, 6 grass courts and a tennis pavilion at the site on the Iffley Road Sports Complex. Members can use the hard courts for free, any time of day, all year round (except when the courts our being used for our training sessions).
The tennis pavilion is also available for members to use and is a nice place to relax and have a drink before or after play or just to use the facilities. Trials must be passed in order to join the Blues teams however the club is open to all and coaching is available for beginners and intermediate tennis players.

Trampolining

Trampolining is a fun and exhilarating sport suitable for people of almost any age, shape or ability. The club has well-qualified coaches who will be able to teach people ranging from the person who has never been on a trampoline before to the serious competitive trampolinist. The club never pressurizes anyone into doing. While beginning and having fun on a trampoline requires very little general fitness, the top class trampolinists require a phenomenal amount of strength and stamina. The Trampolining club provides fun and aims at social sport.

Triathlon

is a sport which involves racing by swimming, cycling and running. Competitors can race over distances ranging from Sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) to Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42km run). There are also duathlons (Run - Bike - Run) and aquathlons (Swim – Run). Having only been founded in 2001, the triathlon club is one of the youngest university sports clubs. It is also one of the fastest growing clubs and currently boasts a lively mix of members covering a wide range of abilities and backgrounds. Whilst the club has many accomplished athletes amongst our members, including world championship competitors and ironman finishers, the club prides itself in embracing novices of all standards. The club tries to reach out to beginners in particular and no experience is necessary to get involved.

Ultimate Frisbee

Oxford University Ultimate!, known as OW! was first started over 10 years ago. Since then, it has grown from a small team to a fully fledged club, with at least three university teams each year, and many college-based teams. Ultimate is a fast paced team sport played the world over. The game is played by two teams of seven players. Running when in possession of the disc is not permitted and the disc is advance down the field by being thrown from player to player until one team scores by catching the disc in an end zone at the end of the playing field. At the highest level ultimate requires a unique combination of technical throwing skills, fitness, endurance and agility. Yet, for the newer player, the game remains simple and accessible for players of all ages. OW! prides itself on being one of the most friendly and fun university sports that you can play at Oxford. The club has a very diverse member base, with a wide range of skill and experience in the game; there is a place for everyone in OW!

Underwater Exploration

involves developing safe, skilled, and knowledgeable scuba-divers. The club train in the Iffley pool and also organize trips to places such as Weymouth and Torquay. The club also hold lectures and host exams so that those wishing to learn to scuba-dive safely can do so.

Volleyball

Oxford University Volleyball Club (OUVC) was first established in 1970. It currently caters for almost 60 members at both competitive and recreational levels, structured around five teams: a men’s and a women’s student team competing at national student level, a men’s and a women’s team playing in the non-student based National Volleyball League (NVL) 2nd and 3rd division respectively and a mixed second student team. An indoor league was recently established (Hilary term 2007), in which nine teams participated. This is in addition to the outdoor annual inter-college competition (Cuppers) and outdoor competitions aimed at community members and experienced volleyball players (4Max). The annual alumni match event has been organized twice so far and proving increasingly popular. Involvement in Outreach is a relatively new initiative and the club has already taught volleyball to many school kids. Each year the club looks for new players for all teams and the league.

Walking

the club organize walks for all abilities throughout the UK during term-time and vacations, as well as lots of social events. The club organize local walks every Saturday and Sunday during term as well as weekend and day trips to places such as Snowdonia, the Cambrian Mountains, Scotland and Cornwall.

Waterpolo

demands intelligence, strength, stamina, skill, and above all, consistent teamwork. The superb quality of Oxford's academics, athletics, and social life provides an ideal environment for water polo excellence. The modern game originated as a form of rugby football played in rivers and lakes in England and Scotland with a ball constructed of Indian rubber. The Varsity match is an annual game between the ancient Oxford and Cambridge universities, and is the longest running waterpolo fixture in the world, having run since 1891. Women's water polo was added in 1986. The team is open to all, experienced students and beginners alike.

Windsurfing

Despite being slap-bang in the middle of the country, Oxford is actually a pretty good windsurfing location. Just a ten minute bus ride from the city centre is Farmoor reservoir, a great spot which picks up plenty of wind. Members of the club are able to use the reservoir whenever they want and can also use the club’s equipment (free of charge after the initial club membership fee). The club get to the coast as often as we can, competing against Cambridge in varsity, and go to Student Windsurfing Association events - weekends suitable for everyone with both competition and beginners’ instruction.

Yacht

OUYC has both active dinghy and yachting teams. Trials for the dinghy team take place early in Michaelmas and then the 4 teams train for BUSA throughout the winter, in 6 Fireflies kept at Farmoor Reservoir, just outside the ring road. In the summer the boats are used by members of the university who want to take them out for social sailing, and this caters for all abilities as we’ll have qualified instructors on hand to help but will leave you to it if you know what you’re doing. Yachting trips take place throughout the year and vary from intensive racing trips and BUSA events to cruising trips designed with beginners and improvers in mind.

Sports 2008

Power Lifting at Exeter

Kate Kingsbury and Evren Cubukgil, Exeter College power lifter

Kate Kingsbury dead lifting

Steve Pellegrino, former Exeter student, started the Exeter College Power Lifting Tradition in 2005 when his amazing performance allowed Oxford's Power Lifting Club to triumph over Cambridge alongside Jame Kirkham a fellow Exeter student. Steve met two fellow Exeter students in the Exeter MCR and his passion for the sport inspired them to join the team when it re-opened in 2007.

Evren Cubukgil, D.Phil in Economics, will be competing against Cambridge in the Varsity event in June. Kate Kingsbury, D.Phil in Anthropology, is the first woman to have ever joined the team and hopes to start an all female power lifting team in 2009 so as to open up the sport to women.

Evren Cubukgil squatting

Power lifting consists of three events: bench press, dead lifting and squatting. These events are judged according to Wilks Points which comprise a ratio based on weight lifted per body weight.
In addition to the Varsity event, the team hold regular competitions at the Iffley Road Sports center which are open to all members of the university.

Health Benefits

Weight training is now seen as vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Power lifting increases not only strength but bone density. It promotes joint integrity and mobility as well as increasing back strength. It also protects against back, joint and muscle injury. Due to the increases in bone density power lifting is particularly beneficial for those at risk of osteoporosis (especially women), since increased bone density is the decisive factor in preventing osteoporosis later in life. Strength is useful in everyday life plus for various emergency and self-defense situations.

Sports 2007

Ash Rust, Lacrosse Blue

The Varsity Men’s Lacrosse game was held at Cambridge on March 3, 2007. It was tense throughout with Oxford doing a great job controlling the Cambridge offense. However, the difference between the teams was discipline. Oxford simply spent too long defending Man Down; by the end of the game Dark Blue had collected almost 15 penalty minutes. At 5 minutes left, Oxford were down 7-4, but after a time-out the team rallied to score two more goals. The score stood at 7-6 with 45 seconds in the game. David Howie got the ball up top and dodged to the right of the cage - he had an angle, took the shot and the keeper was beaten but a Cambridge defender managed to get his thigh on the ball and it was pushed just wide as final whistle blew. So Cambridge escaped, but just barely. Ash Rust (#20) played the full game, taking all the face-offs.

Exeter Dancesport Cuppers

Mara Jochum & Richard Wassall win First Place for Cha Cha

On Saturday, 19 May 2007, the Exeter Dancesport Cuppers did an excellent job at the annual cuppers competition! Hong Liang and Tarun Khaitan, dancing the Waltz, and Sue Cook and Lara, dancing the Quickstep, got recalls for the second round. Timea Bagossy and Maciej Kula, dancing the Jive, made it to the semifinal. Mara Jochum and Hertford-student Richard Wassall concluded the performance by winning first place for their Cha Cha.

Overall, the Exeter team captured 12th place. Well done!

Sports 2006

Sports 2005