Sport at Hertford

Rowing

Rowing is the biggest sport at Hertford – with over 50 members across all year groups and subjects, it’s a great place to make friends and try out a new sport. The club caters for all abilities, as almost everybody is a complete beginner when they arrive. So whether you’re looking to keep fit, find a new casual hobby, or represent your college in one of its top teams there will be a boat for you! We’ve enjoyed some major success in recent years, with blades won in both Torpids and Summer VIIIs and have a fun and supportive atmosphere across all our crews. The boat club is also one of the most socially active sports teams at Hertford, with roughly one social each week.

Football

Hertford women’s football have had an extremely successful and indeed victorious season. The Hertford/Keble cluster known formally as ‘Hertble’ have achieved an incredible win streak, triumphing in every game this year, in the league and Cuppers tournaments. Of course, the most glorious day for this team was the Cuppers final match, which saw Hertble defeat Summertown (LMH, St. Hughes and Trinity College) with an impressive 4-1 score.

The Hertford Men’s football team have also had a consistently good term, sitting comfortably in the League and enjoying extras such as football formals and the traditional Old Boys game which unites Hertfordians old and new.

Rugby

Hertford Men’s RFC have recently formed a cluster with Balliol College and have had a very successful season since. Captain Bosco Foulsham has led the team through their Cuppers campaign, which brought them to the semi-finals. Outside of the internal games, HCBCRFC have had some incredible opportunities. In November last year, Hertford Rugby were hosted at the Japanese Embassy, who invited them to dinner and then to play a rugby match, in memory of Hertford alumnus Katushiko Oku. on the 20th anniversary of his assassination. The squad are also heading on tour to Malta this September to play the Maltese national team.

With regards to the Women’s game, this year for the very first time Hertford Women’s Rugby have decided to combine with Keble College to form another ‘Hertble’ squad for the 2024 Cuppers season in Trinity. This was of course inspired by the football team, with many of the same girls representing both sides.
Along with the intention of playing well and winning matches, Hertble WRFC wish to introduce more women to rugby bring them into the OURFC development pathway, which some Hertble players have already engaged with.

Netball

Hertford’s women’s and mixed netball teams are characterised by their fun and inclusive atmosphere and great team spirit, shown off at weekly training sessions, regular University league and Cuppers matches and at team social events. We welcome players of all abilities and this year regularly delivered strong performances across both the mixed and women’s top divisions. Other colleges certainly had to ‘Fear the Deer’ this season, as our women’s side also reached the Cuppers Semi-Finals this Trinity. The team also held their first Hertford Netball ‘Old Girls’ match in Hilary Term, where a group of former Hertford players travelled back to their alma mater to take on the current team.

Hockey

Netball is not the only sport to have played their inaugural alumni game, for Hertford Hockey have also hosted their very first Hertford Hockey Alumni Match that took place at the Oxford Hawks Hockey Club. The current Hertford team beat their predecessors in an intense and exciting game that has now become an established college tradition.

Beyond this, Hertford Hockey have dominated the league this term with consistent strong performances, seeing the team rise to the top once for yet another season. Hockey also practice regularly down at Iffley Road and have multiple teams to get involved in.

Hertford boasts the largest mixed hockey team in the university, with weekly matches and a stellar social scene. The club is a dominant force in the intercollegiate league and is looking to regain the title of cuppers champions which it last won in 2022. We pride ourselves on welcoming experienced players and beginners alike, so please get involved!

Badminton

At Hertford, our men’s and women’s badminton teams regularly play in league games against other colleges, as well as cuppers. We have weekly training sessions joint with Oriel, where anyone from beginners to seasoned team players can enjoy a casual rally or a competitive game.