Meet the Teams: Part 1

Bristol has a vibrant sporting culture, but how do you know which society is best suited to you? What’s the most successful society? What are the socials like?

The Tab is here to help: all the crucial information is here in our Freshers Sport Guide.

Varsity Football

Men’s team

Captain: George Starkey-Midha

The lowdown: Fancy yourself as the next Gareth Bale? You won’t earn anywhere near the amount he does (well, anything at all, in fact), but the football society is great fun and runs teams for all ability levels.

UBAFC boasts an excellent track record. A thrashing of bitter rivals, UWE, in the Varsity match at the Memorial Stadium, was one of many superb results fought out by the first team last season. The atmosphere in the stands was reminiscent of a West Ham/Millwall fixture; flares, aggression, pitch invasions, the lot; as Bristol came from behind to batter their arch-enemies by four goals to one.

And the socials? Starkey-Midha assures freshers that ‘socials are great’ but says there’s ‘probably a little less nudity than than the rugby club’. Most events take place at student favourite, the White Harte.

Meet the football girls

Women’s team

Captain: Katie Farrell

The lowdown: Sadly the women were not able to match their male counterparts’ result in the Varsity fixture. UWE beat them 4-3 on penalties following a close and very tense encounter, which had finished 1-1 at the end of ninety minutes.

In the league, however, the team managed to pull off a dramatic escape from the drop and stay in the top division, beating relegation rivals, Portsmouth, in a survival-deciding clash.

And the socials? expect fancy dress-themed parties every two weeks, which ‘often involve loud chanting down Whiteladies Road’ according to captain, Katie Farrell.

The Rugby Girls

Men’s team

Captain: Steffan Jones

The lowdown: As one of the most respected sporting societies at the University, UBRFC enjoys consistent success on the rugby pitch. Last season saw the men’s first team gain promotion to the top tier and narrowly miss out on silverware, losing to Loughborough in the BUCS trophy final.

Just a few of last season’s highlights included beating Cambridge’s renowned team in a friendly match, smashing UWE in the Varsity fixture and the 3^rd team ending the campaign in a promotion spot.

And the socials? Steffan Jones promises you won’t be disappointed. ‘UBRFC creates a unity and memories like no other society. Every member is welcome. Whether they’re the biggest drinker on campus or just want a coke, they will have a good time with the boys’.

Women’s team

Captain: Detti Rees

The lowdown: The women’s team had an extremely successful campaign, finishing as runners-up in both the league and the cup – an amazing achievement considering they hadn’t won a single match the year before.

Although the Varsity match didn’t go their way, Bristol put up a strong fight and will be hoping for revenge on their bitter rivals this season.

And the socials? Detti says ‘as a close, friendly team we have fantastic socials, with very high standards of fancy dress! This year we will be holding them every Wednesday, getting together for a few no-so-quiet drinks before heading to Bunker’.