Meet this year’s KCL sports captains

Whether they were voted in for their incomparable sporting ability, monumental leadership or an obsession with winning Varsity, the process of electing new captains is an important one.

The Tab has spoken exclusively to the leaders of the KCL teams, finding out just what they think about their own sport, their chances in Varsity, and what separates them from the rest – good or bad.

Who always looks concussed? Who loves naming flags? And who loves nothing more than being Man Of The Match? Let’s find out.

Men’s Rugby

George Taylor

Nickname: GT

Course: History and War Studies

What do you love about your sport? “I love the diverse nature of rugby – skill, speed, power, and the subsequent range of shapes and sizes you get playing it. I also like the camaraderie you get from rugby, which I think is unparalleled in other sports.”

Fun fact: “I can name all 197 flags of the world on Sporcle.”

Hopes for Varsity: “It’s always a tricky game and it often boils down to who wants it more. Ultimately though I think our class will tell, and we have a lot of experienced boys who will be playing in their third Varsity. KCL to win by 10.”

Women’s Rugby

Ana Matorras Gutiérrez de Terán

Course: Philosophy

What do you love about your sport? “Rugby is a sport that has everything someone could be looking for. It encourages many life values, such as discipline, camaraderie, perseverance, and respect, while having so much fun. Since I started playing, I’ve found in rugby not only an amazing sport, but also a group of powerful women who have become my second family.”

Fun fact: “People tend to think I’m concussed, but it’s just my normal self.”

Hopes for Varsity: “We’re ready to put everything we have in to every training. This year we have a lot of new players with huge potential, and the old girls are just getting better and better.

“It’s great to see how everyone is so committed, because at the end of the day, it all comes down to who has trained the hardest for it, since both UCL and KCL are good teams. Do I think we can win Varsity? Yes! But not in a cocky way, I trust my team and I know we can succeed if we work for it.”

Men’s Football

Sam Talbot

Nickname: Talbs

Course: Geography

What do you love about your sport? “Who doesn’t love football? I’ve always played it.”

Fun fact: “I’m a pretty open guy. I don’t hide anything.”

Hopes for Varsity: “I don’t care whether we win or lose, I want man of the match.”

Women’s Football

Romina Calatayud

Course: BA Liberal Arts – Politics Major

What do you love about your sport? “Football is not only an incredibly fun and elegant sport, it also brings people from all over the world together.”

Hopes for Varsity: “KCLWFC will defend the title! We expect a challenge but will fight until the last whistle and hope to bring the trophy back.”

Men’s Hockey

James Simpson

Nickname: Simmo

Course: History

What do you love about your sport? “I’ve played it ever since I was seven. My whole family plays bar my elder sister, so I didn’t really have much choice other than to love it. It’s also a very social sport – especially mixed hockey!”

Fun fact: “I have never been to Nandos. I don’t know if that’s funny or just odd!”

Hopes for Varsity: “It was a tight affair last year with King’s winning 2-1, so I would expect it to be a similar affair again this year. Both teams have lost a few senior players from last year as well. However I will of course always back us to have the edge over UCL on the day!”

Women’s Hockey

Chloe Wilson

Nickname: Wils

Course: English Literature and Language

What do you love about your sport? “I’ve played hockey since I was a little girl and so continuing at Uni was a no-brainer. For me, every match is an exhilarating challenge. Playing with my team and leading them in Premier B is an absolute honour.”

Fun fact: “I’m a complete adrenaline junkie!”

Hopes for Varsity: “Last year was utterly fantastic. We dominated from start to finish and really gave the KCL fans something to shout about. This year, we intend to do the same. Being the top team in London, we’ll be putting out a side eager to show how good we really are.”

Men’s Fencing

Brynmor Saunders

Nickname: Bryn

Course: Geography

What do you love about your sport? “I love fencing because the little kid inside me loves playing with swords!”

Fun Fact: “I’m on the GB National Squad and on the King’s Performance Programme.”

Hopes for Varsity: “After two defeats we will be looking for revenge. Unlike the last two years, we go in as heavy favourites this year with an extremely large rookie intake.”

Women’s Fencing

Alison Macbeth Blankenhaus

Nickname: Allie

Course: Film Studies BA

What do you love about your sport? “Fencing is a physically and intellectually demanding sport. It’s like a game of fast-paced chess, leaving no time and space for excuses.

“If you are not 100 per cent on the piste when you are fencing, the opponent will make the decision for you and take advantage of every mistake you make and turn it against you. So in a way, it’s a very physical, direct and honest sport, but it is also intelligent and aesthetically pleasing.”

Hopes for Varsity: “Last year we won in foil and had a chance to win epee. Thanks to new members, there is a chance to win in two weapons, at least in epee.

“However, most importantly, i would like my team to fight determined and showcase intelligent actions. If we can show that we are a team which supports each other and is able to perform intelligent and tactical actions, we will give our opponents a strong fight.”