Milestone university event welcomed with record-breaking turnout and award shortlisting.
Guildford, Surrey – On Saturday, 11th May 2024, Surrey Sports Park, and Team Surrey showcased the 10th Anniversary of GradSport, the University of Surrey’s annual fixture bringing alumni and current students together for a day of friendly competition and reigniting sporting spirit. Organised by Team Surrey, the university Advancement Team and Events Team, hosted at the state-of-the-art Surrey Sports Park facility, GradSport is a celebration of all University of Surrey sportspersons past and present.
With a decade of growth and legacy, GradSport has come a long way since its inception in 2014. From its initial focus on reconnecting recent graduates with university sport, the event has evolved into a major draw for alumni from across the globe. Participation has soared by 120% since 2014 highlighting the event’s growing popularity within the university community, GradSport is now a prime fixture in the calendar.
2024 witnessed record-breaking attendance with:
– Over 1,000 students and alumni participated in,
– 42 fixtures across,
– 26 different sports.
Spectated by large crowds comprising of competitors families, friends, students, alumni, and members of the local community, with alumni travelling from overseas to take part in the festivities.
More than just an athletic competition, the GradSport event raises money for the Forever Surrey Fund, which provides essential financial aid to student sports clubs and helps athletes reach their full potential. In 2023-24 alone, the fund awarded £52,687.00 to 11 clubs, allowing them to purchase crucial equipment and resources.
The Forever Surrey Zone provides a central hub, creating a festival environment featuring fun activities, catering options, and an outdoor bar. This year, the zone
included the addition of a big screen live-streaming the indoor matches, displaying scores, and ensuring no one misses the action.
This year GradSport has been shortlisted for the prestigious College & University Business Officers (CUBO) Excellence in Student Sports Experience Award. This recognition by a leading organisation underscores our commitment to creating exceptional sporting experiences for students.
Team Surrey, the University Advancement Team, and various event staff members deserve huge credit for nurturing GradSport over the past decade. Exceptional collaboration, coupled with constant innovation, has lifted the event to its decennial heights.
With Team Surrey’s Luke Bennet successfully co-leading the event for the last three years, GradSport now welcomes Charlie Mascall as one of the new ‘organiser in chiefs’ for 2025. Special mention also must go to Carolina Boltz, Anna McCormack, Alice Bryant, Sophie Harries and Lucy Evans for their diligent planning for this flagship event.
Quotes:
“I’m so proud of everyone involved in delivering what is quickly becoming the pinnacle event in the university’s sporting calendar. Surrey Sports Park plays host to many high-profile sporting events, but this one has a special feel about it. Old friends reuniting, rivalries being reignited, and intense competition set against the unifying backdrop of the Team Surrey legacy. Team Alumni may have taken the honours this year, but I look forward to seeing what 2025 holds.”
Georgina Agnies, Director of University Sport, University of Surrey
“It is a great event to take part in, as it has a friendly but competitive atmosphere for everyone involved. It is a good opportunity to catch up with friends and teammates from years past, and with additions such as the activity zone it has taken on a feel of a sports festival, which is really nice to be a part of. I’m grateful to Team Surrey for organising such a fun event!”
Martin, alumni/lacrosse
“For us in the Alumni team, GradSport is always one of our highlights of the year! It’s a great opportunity for us to meet and connect with our alumni, particularly our younger alumni who return following graduation to join Team Alumni after competing with the student team during their studies.
Many of our graduates have been repeat attendees and love the opportunity for a yearly reunion with their former teammates. In 2024 we welcomed people from overseas who returned just for the event, and this shows the growth and reach of GradSport. The event also allows us to introduce current students to the alumni community they will join upon their graduation”.
Alice Bryant, Fundraising Coordinator Advancement
“For students like me, who have been attending Surrey for several years, the event is an opportunity to see old friends that have moved away and challenge them in a tournament that we never seem to win. I have been lucky enough to participate in 3 GradSports, each of which has been brilliant, and I hope to return to compete as an alum next year!”
Elisha, student/badminton
About Team Surrey – University of Surrey’s sport and active-wellbeing programme responsible for overseeing more than 47 sports clubs competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues, delivering social and intramural sports sessions for students and staff, co-ordinating on-campus active-wellbeing events and increasing participation in physical activity.
About Surrey Sports Park – The University of Surrey’s world-class sporting facilities. This £36 million complex features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a state-of-the-art 180-station gym, strength and conditioning suite, sports therapy practice, versatile indoor arena courts, exterior courts and pitches, exercise studios, and a challenging climbing wall. Both public and student memberships are available.