The £0 Cambridge athlete

Lois Tromans explores whether sport at Cambridge can ever be entirely cost-free

Sport at Cambridge is more than just a way to fill a Wednesday afternoon or a Saturday morning. For some, it is an opportunity to continue honing a skill which has seen years of dedication; for others, it is an escape from the library or a chance to meet new people.

From rowing taster sessions to college netball, Cambridge sport has something to offer for everyone. However, is this accessibility as straightforward as it seems? Behind the taster sessions, college teams and opportunities to compete are a number of costs which can quickly accumulate. Simply turning up and playing can be overshadowed by costs of kit, travel and socials.

Does Cambridge sport come with a hidden price tag or is it truly possible to be an athlete for £0?

For many students, the collegiate sport system provides them with an accessible route to either continue or begin a new sport at university. This balances a healthy dose of weekly competition with flexibility for the busy student. It is a chance for students of all abilities to compete free of charge, meaning no subs, no travel costs (unless perhaps you find yourself playing at Girton), and significantly less pressure than some university-level sports fixtures.

“While these purchases may not technically be compulsory, they can become difficult to avoid”

Furthermore, the University Sport Centre’s ‘Give it a Go’ scheme offers all students free, beginner-friendly and low-commitment sport tasters ranging from pickleball to pilates, allowing students to keep active free of charge during busy terms.

However, while college sport operates on a non-paid membership, hidden costs can begin to creep in. One of the most obvious is kit. College affiliation is a huge part of the Cambridge sporting experience, with students keen to don their stash and support their teams.

An increasing number of college teams now also opt for matching kit, meaning that representing your college may extend further than just turning up for a fixture. This is, understandably, particularly prevalent amongst college rowing clubs, as teams look to be both identifiable and unified on the water. While these purchases may not technically be compulsory, they can become difficult to avoid if you want to frequently represent your college.

For those looking to continue their sport beyond college level, university teams offer the opportunity to represent Cambridge on a wider stage: higher-level competition, BUCS fixtures and a chance to earn the coveted Blue or half-Blue. However, these opportunities can come with additional costs.

“The collegiate sport system provides them with an accessible route to either continue or begin a new sport at university”

Unlike college sports, university club ‘subs’ can place a financial dent in a student bank account. ‘Subs’ cover necessary costs such as strength and conditioning sessions, competition fees and, most importantly, cricket lunches. On top of this, accommodation and travel can also contribute to hefty sums of money swiftly exiting bank accounts throughout the year. Specific and personalised kit is another equally important consideration for university-level sports.

While having all the stash isn’t vital to playing the game itself, it is vital to the sense of camaraderie and belonging which is integral to the sporting experience. Alongside this comes the practical matter of the specialist equipment needed for many sports. In cricket, the bat alone can set you back £140. Luckily, for many university-level athletes, those who have competed before are likely to arrive with much of the necessary equipment.

Ultimately, this means there is no ‘universal price tag’ for the Cambridge athlete, with expenses varying between sports and levels of experience as well as how involved you wish to be within a team.

Another, perhaps often overlooked, cost of sports at Cambridge is that of socials. While team bonding is free, unfortunately drinks from Mainsbury’s or the college bar are not. I have met some of my closest friends at Cambridge through cricket, but those friendships often develop off the pitch. Being part of the team means finding time for your teammates outside of matches and training. This is of course optional, but it’s part of the social glue that holds the team together.

For students who may be concerned about potential financial barriers to sport at Cambridge, there are numerous routes of support. College sports grants can be incredibly helpful for those who want help covering sporting expenses. Sports grants vary between colleges, with some offering set amounts for students who earn a Blue or half-Blue, while others provide varying amounts depending on level of sport or household income. All can help to alleviate the impact of any unforeseen costs during the year.

“Having all the stash isn’t vital to playing the game itself, but it is vital to the sense of camaraderie and belonging”

At university-level, the Hawks Charitable Trust also aims to provide grants to Blues or half-Blues athletes whose sporting potential may be inhibited by financial difficulties.

Technically, you can be a £0 athlete at Cambridge. College sport provides students with a great set-up of weekly matches without membership fees. However, as the standard of play increases to university-level clubs, the idea of the £0 athlete begins to unravel.

Kit, subs and other costs can all quickly mount up, with social expectations associated with being part of any team making participation feel more expensive. There is no doubt that Cambridge’s accessibility initiatives mean it can provide significant financial support to university-level athletes; however, sometimes the ‘sporting experience’ can be more expensive than doing the sport itself.

Varsity is the independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge, established in its current form in 1947. In order to maintain our editorial independence, our print newspaper and news website receives no funding from the University of Cambridge or its constituent Colleges.

We are therefore almost entirely reliant on advertising for funding and we expect to have a tough few months and years ahead.

In spite of this situation, we are going to look at inventive ways to look at serving our readership with digital content and of course in print too!

Therefore we are asking our readers, if they wish, to make a donation from as little as £1, to help with our running costs. Many thanks, we hope you can help!