College Hockey at Oxford

College hockey (also known as ‘Cuppers’) is a fun, inclusive way to play hockey at a lower commitment level than university teams. It is made up of mixed hockey teams, open to all students (undergraduate and postgraduate), with all games played on Sundays (unless Captains agree alternative timings with the Cuppers Secretary).
Fixture times and league standings are created on PlayWaze, and will be posted weekly to the college hockey captains to share with their teams. Cuppers teams are typically made up of member's from 2 colleges, although some may be a singular college or even 3!! For more information see the ‘College Hockey Contacts' document in our documents section.

College hockey is primarily an opportunity for those wanting a lower-intensity way to play hockey whilst studying at Oxford, or for players looking to develop towards university-level teams. Players also have the opportunity to attend the Oxford University Hockey Club Development Squad, which trains on Friday evenings. Dev Squad is coached by Elliot Denis and is an excellent way to help players progress into the Sporadics (OUHC Men’s 4s) and Renegades (OUHC Women’s 4s).

Structure

In Michaelmas and Hilary term, the hockey is in a league format which has 2 seperate divisions. At the end of each term, the top 2 teams are promoted, and the bottom 2 are relegated for the following term’s league.

In Trinity term, a knockout competition involving all the college teams takes place. Drawing of matches is seeded, based on the league standings from Hilary. The champions of Michaelmas Division 1 face the equivalent Cambridge side in ‘Super Cuppers’. Super Cuppers is an amazing event which takes place at Southgate Hockey Club on the same day as OUHC Blue’s Varsity during Hilary Term.

Scoring and Rules
3 points for a win
1 point for a draw
0 points for a loss
-1 point for forfeit (gives -5 goal difference)
[In Cuppers, drawn matches go to penalty flicks (2 of which must be taken by female players)]

Players must be members of JCR/MCR of their college
A player can only represent one team
Teams may merge with approval from the Cuppers Sec
Teams must field 7 – 16 players
A team must forfeit if it has fewer than 7 players for a full match*
No Men’s Blues allowed (Women’s Blues can play)
Minimum 4 women per squad (maximum 7 men)**
The first shot on goal in a short corner must be taken by a female team member

Standard hockey rules apply: [url=http://www.fih.ch/inside-fih/our-official-documents/rules-of-hockey/ [/url]
Any concerns about eligibility must be raised with the opposition captain before the game !

Please be kind and respectful of the umpires, particularly those less experienced – they are giving up their time for you to be able to play!!

*Teams are encouraged to organise a friendly or training session if the game is forfeited so those available can still play some hockey
** if 3 women, only 6 men on the pitch for example.

Arranging Fixtures
Fixtures are arranged using Playwaze but Iffley is typically booked from 9am-16:00pm each Sunday.
Please note that matches are self-umpired until the semi-finals and finals*
*umpires from other colleges often help and umpire!

Safety
Teams must bring a first aid kit!
In the case of an emergency, please contact Iffley Sports Centre reception
All spectators must watch behind the fence.

Michaelmas 2025:
Division 1:
Jesus/Pembroke/Worcester; New; Hertford; Catz/Somerville; Merton/Mansfield; Wadham/Queen’s/Trinity; John’s/Keble
Division 2:
Brasenose/Anne’s; LMH/Lincoln/Corpus; Magdalen/Hilda’s/Regent’s; Balliol/Univ; Teddy; Christ Church/Hugh’s

Please contact me if you have any questions!
[emily.hersch@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk]
Emily Hersch | Cuppers Sec 25/26