Southampton has high levels of participation in sport, so the likelihood of someone in your close group of friends actively partaking in sport and representing the University of Southampton is high. Many clubs will train once or twice a week and compete regularly, and so the amount of time and effort that members of these sports teams put in is huge.

The reward for all this time spent practicing, some may argue, is wearing the Stag on your chest and representing your university with pride. This pride in my experience is greatly increased however, when your achievements on the field of play are recognised by others not immediately related with the sport. By this I mean people who have not just turned up to play the next match but people who have come along to support their friend, and ultimately university sport. Having people on the sidelines cheering you on makes a real difference, it can be the difference between giving up or continuing to fight for the victory.

The University’s cheerleading squad, the irresistible Vixens, have a definite part to play in this, and it would be nice to see them out cheering Wessex than perfecting their moves indoors and competing in competitions.

American football is probably the best supported team at the university, always drawing large crowds for the games on a Sunday afternoon. The atmosphere is fantastic, with songs and chants, a full bar and a selection of people who are passionate about supporting their friends playing. This doesn’t even compare to the support that I have noticed other university teams getting however, when I have played away. In Exeter the hockey was well supported over the course of the entire afternoon, and I am told that the Exeter v Cardiff varsity match held at the local stadium attracts the support of nearly 2000 students. This is smaller than the 5000 reported student crowds for the Durham v Newcastle varsity games.

On February 22nd the finest of the University of Southampton’s sporting talent will be matched against Portsmouth’s finest in the annual varsity match. Facebook groups for the University of Portsmouth report that they are bringing coaches full of supporters.

It has to be asked how embarrassing would it be if Portsmouth had more support than us, when we are on home soil? Therefore I ask you to consider asking your friends to come and support a match or the varsity day. Even if you have no connection to the sport in which you are watching, your support would be greatly appreciated by those playing. I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines.