Seven Rugby Varsity Matches – A University Record!
As my penultimate academic term draws to a close, I’ve had an opportunity to reflect on life at Magdalene and University sport, two pillars of my time at Cambridge. I have been immensely privileged to represent the University in seven Rugby Union Varsity Matches, a record which would not have been possible without the support of people in College.
When I arrived at Magdalene (in 2009!), intent on playing rugby, I was told that colleges generally frown upon extracurricular activities, particularly in the sporting domain. I found the attitude at Magdalene to be anything but. Be it Bob, the Head Porter and biggest Northampton Saints fan I’ve ever met, my medical Directors of Study, my Tutors, or my PhD Supervisor, every single one of them went out of their way to help me achieve my academic and sporting goals. I have found this attitude reflected in the actions of the Alumni too. When I lost my third Varsity Match, as Captain in 2013, it was a kind letter from Ian Peck (1976), a former Magdalene student and CURUFC Captain, that helped me gain perspective. When the cost of playing rugby became prohibitive, it was an award donated by Sarah Springman (1988), a former Magdalene student and GB Triathlete, that sustained me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all and extend this thanks to other members of the Magdalene community who have been so helpful. It is for your actions and this community spirit that Magdalene will forever hold such a special place in my heart.
The Varsity Matches themselves have been a great lesson in resilience. I’ve had the dubious honour of playing in five successive defeats, as part of the longest losing-streak in Varsity Match history. When your season revolves around a single season-defining match, and you see all that you have invested and forgone come to nothing, five losses really starts to add up. I certainly came close to quitting on more than one occasion and probably would have, were it not for fierce friendships forged on the rugby pitch. If I had quit, I’d have missed the fairy-tale ending and I’m now able to leave Cambridge happy, having won the last two Varsity Matches and finally thrown the monkey (Gorilla!) off my back.
Truth be told, the rugby club was not in a position to compete with Oxford for the first few years of my time in Cambridge. However, more recently, the club has taken huge strides forward to close the gap. This was best illustrated in December, when both the men’s and women’s Blues won their respective Varsity Matches, making it a Light Blue double victory at Twickenham! This highlights the other great shift at CURUFC during my time, the coming together of men’s and women’s rugby as a single club and the spotlighting of the women’s game in its relocation to Twickenham. For context, even England Women rarely play at Twickenham and it’s been fantastic to see the CURUFC ladies leading the charge for gender equality.
All this being said, there is still work to do, both in terms of promoting gender equality in rugby and securing the sustainability of CURUFC. The club is looking to do just this as it builds towards its 150th anniversary, in 2021. To anybody who supports these ambitions, please take the time to find out more at www.redlion150.curufc.com.
by Mr Will Briggs
Images via CURUFC