About
History
Athletics competitions at Cambridge University began in 1857 under the name "University Sports", which later developed into the Cambridge University Athletic Club (CUAC). The club officially took shape in the early 1860s, leading to the first Oxford-Cambridge Varsity Athletics Match in 1864, marking the start of a long-standing rivalry.
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Over time, CUAC expanded to include a variety of intercollegiate and international competitions. In the 1970s, the club introduced women’s athletics, and more recently in 2024, the first Parathletics Varsity was held. Today, CUAC continues to accommodate athletes of all levels, from hobbyists to Olympians.
Training
CUAC is formed of several "squads" that focused are focused on a specific athletic disciplines, for example, "horizontal jumps" or "sprints". Squads are led by a coach, alongside a student representative known as the squad leader. While many athletes eventually settle with one squad, members are encouraged to explore and participate in multiple squads if they wish.
Competitions
There are many opportunities to compete for the university throughout the academic year. These range from inter-collegiate events to international competitions with rival universities. Athletes are elligible for a Cambridge Blue if they are selected for the Varsity Match Blues team and achieve a blues standard in the same season.
