Ollie Jansen, Hockey
I got into hockey at a relatively young age, playing at school and for club since the age of 9. From there, it became a huge passion of mine, as well as a great way to stay fit and active. Most of my close friends come from sport, and the social aspect is a huge part of what makes hockey so enjoyable.
For me joining Team UCL was a given, as sport has always been such a big part of my life. Varsity is the highlight of the year as it brings all of Team UCL together with one united goal: to beat King’s and prove UCL is the best university in London. Playing with the UCL badge on your shirt and being part of that history is an honour.
Playing with the UCL badge on your shirt and being part of that history is an honour
Being part of Team UCL Hockey has been a huge part of my university experience, as part of a club where I can play the sport I love and spend time with a great group of people every week. It provides a great opportunity to stay active and meet new people. Furthermore, to have all of this in the context of studying at university offers a great chance to take a break and achieve a healthy balance between university work and life.
The best part of varsity for me is having a platform for the team to showcase what we’re capable of, with the hockey club, friends and family there to support. It is a privilege to be able to play at the Olympic Hockey Centre at Lee Valley, with such a massive crowd. It is also such a special experience for the team: we spend the whole day together before the game at 8pm in the evening, preparing ourselves for the biggest game of the year.
I'm most looking forward to The Varsity Walk-Out: where UCL and King’s Hockey Walk out onto the pitch. The noise from the crowd is deafening and foreshadows the intensity of the game to come. Playing under that pressure is so exciting and brings out the true competitor within.
A message for King's: You have no idea what’s coming.
