On Sunday 26 April, students from Ustinov College and the Durham University International Study Centre (ISC) came together for their first Varsity event at Maiden Castle. The day focused on taking part, trying something new and bringing people together through college sport. It showed how sport at Durham supports students of all abilities, not just those competing at the highest level.

Ten Durham sports teams competed in the annual British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Big Wednesday event this year, coming away with an outstanding set of results.

We recently hosted the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Northern Conference Cup, welcoming teams from 18 other universities, celebrated a number of Durham team successes, and marked a new two-year hosting agreement.

Earlier this month a range of sports teams from our Colleges squared up against rivals from the University of York, coming away triumphant and retaining the Varsity cup for a second consecutive year.

Durham Saints host four-time national champions UWE Bullets at Maiden Castle during Alumni Weekend in a fixture with major playoff implications. Ranked third nationally, Durham know that victory would put them firmly in contention for the No. 1 seed, while also offering a first-ever win over UWE. Played in front of returning alumni and streamed live for supporters worldwide, the match represents a defining moment for the programme.

Four undergraduates have been announced for the men’s and women’s U21 hockey squads for England, Scotland and Wales in the forthcoming Junior Hockey World Cup.

A new University College rowing boat has been named in honour of one the College’s most notable alumni: Guillaume V, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Team Durham’s Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams are proving the power of teamwork beyond the pitch. Through volunteering at community gardens, food banks, and heritage sites, they’re tackling local challenges and inspiring others to join the VolunTEAMing movement. Their efforts show how sport can drive real, lasting change while strengthening bonds between students and the community.

Durham graduate and Team GB rower Lauren Irwin recently returned to her college to open a new student rowing facility.

Congratulations to alumni George Bourne and Lauren Irwin on their medals at the World Rowing Championships, held at Shanghai’s Dianshan Lake from the 21–28 September.

Congratulations to Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Economics, Josephine Butler College, 2018), who celebrated victory with the Red Roses women’s rugby squad on Saturday 27 September.

Our student baseball and softball club recorded their most successful season this past academic year. We catch up with the club’s outgoing President, Jaryd Mercer, to find out more.