Sports round-up

Faced with extensive Covid restrictions, Mansfield’s sports teams showed tremendous perseverance through 2020/21. Thankfully, in Trinity term, the numerous risk assessments, revisions, and safety protocols paid off, as sport once again became a common feature of College life. JCR Sports and Societies Representative, Ben Paterson (Geography, 2019), reports on an extraordinary sporting year.

Football

The men’s Mansfield-Merton football club entered two teams into an inter-college five-a-side tournament this year and held several friendlies. With some first-rate management and a fine range of players to choose from, one of the teams climbed to the top of the group. Unfortunately, they failed to qualify due to goal difference. The women’s football team was also reestablished in Trinity term and they held their first training sessions in preparation for inter-college competitive fixtures next year. Congratulations are also due to the several Mansfield players who have retained their place within, or joined, the University football teams. Up the Ms!

Netball

Under captains Anna-Tina Jashapara and Ruby Furniss, Mansfield netball saw a lot of engagement and support in Trinity term, having held weekly training sessions and friendlies. It has been encouraging to see students from so many different years and subjects get involved with the team. They were robbed of the cuppers title this year after winning all of their games but falling short to Magdalen College only on points difference. As a consequence, a highly anticipated fixture against Magdalen is set to take place in Michaelmas term 2021. One of the few Mansfield-only clubs, Mansfield netball certainly looks set to have a strong future ahead.

Hockey

No team stood in the way of MansfieldMerton hockey this year as they became champions of the A-League – not bad considering they had no bibs, balls, cones, or kit at the start of the season. Mansfield captain Elysia Zdolyny has done an amazing job sourcing equipment for the club, keeping team spirit high, and producing consistent wins throughout the season. To keep up with the team’s progress, follow their very active Instagram page: @mertonmansfieldhockey.

Croquet

Isobel Lee and Oliver Harding were appointed as two new captains for Mansfield’s croquet club in Trinity term. Croquet offers a particularly recreational aspect to College sport, so the opportunity to play on the Quad is something that many students have been looking forward to, given that we missed out in Trinity term 2020.

Horse riding

Although not a traditional sport seen at Mansfield, horse riding has come on to the agenda with Izzy Pennington representing the University at Varsity, where she won the 2nd-team individual competition. Mansfield also produced a team to compete in the cuppers competition this year. While I’ve highlighted a selection of Mansfield’s sports teams in this article, many more including rugby, cricket, and badminton have been underway. I look forward to seeing how Mansfield sport continues to grow next season.