There are 149 teams registered to play in the University of Edinburgh’s intramural leagues this year. Yet one team that stands out above the rest is History Boys RFC, one of the largest intramural sport societies.
The team play regular league matches on a Wednesday afternoon and train on a Sunday, as Dan Kelly, Treasurer of HBRFC, details: “It’s a good way to blow off steam after a hectic week.”
The team currently sit second in the intramural rugby league on 12 points behind the Engineers, HBRFC’s biggest rivals, who they narrowly lost to seven to five earlier in the semester.
“I think we have had a successful year so far, especially in terms of recruitment and successes on the pitch,” Kelly continued.
“We put a lot of effort into getting the word out about the club and making sure people felt comfortable and welcomed. We have had some excellent wins across the season: even though we walked away mightily disappointed from The Engineers game, we think we can get them back next semester.”
The precedent is there for HBRFC after beating “The Neers” in a pre-season friendly, which President Alex Nicol detailed as a highlight so far.
He added, “Having Freshers come into the team and immediately settle and perform well is an indication of a successful summer behind the scenes and a very positive sign for the future.”
The mix of years at HBRFC provides new members with timely advice from previous members, as HBRFC first-year Will Gimlette said to The Student.
“It works well as they [previous members] have experience in the club, so they run the sessions, matches, socials and provide a good time for all the freshers.”
This is one of the reasons why Christian Denham-Davis, a first year student at HBRFC, would completely recommend getting involved in intramural sports.
“Socials are fun and it’s a good way to make mates in other years who can offer you first-year advice.”
Nicol agreed with encouraging people to get involved from a social perspective, saying “As a way of meeting people I couldn’t recommend it more.”
One fear that some freshers have of wider sport at Edinburgh is playing against students who are older and larger than them, especially in rugby. However, Seb Hebblewaite, another first-year member, explains why this is something not to worry about.
“Ultimately, if an opponent is running towards you, you’re going to tackle them whether he’s a PHD student or a fresher, so I don’t think it’s anything anyone should worry about.”
The club are also focussing on expanding their charitable connections, partnering with My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity committed to funding research on Motor Neurone Disease (MND) treatments.
Kelly feels this allows the club to “really make a meaningful difference to an excellent charity.”
Nicol believes this is increasingly important for the committee, going on to say that a big focus “is re-establishing the charitable efforts that were strong elements of the club’s philosophy.”
Image credit: Dan Kelly