Fostering a Spirit of Teamwork and Healthy Competition

The annual OIC Sports Day concluded Induction Week perfectly and was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by students and staff alike. Despite the overcast and rather warm weather conditions the atmosphere at Iffley Road Sports Centre, Oxford was filled with excitement and anticipation together with cheers, and the occasional air horn sound, signaling the start of a race.

Students from across all year groups competed in a variety of events, from the classic 100m spirit to the more challenging endurance races such as 1500m. Each event showcased not only the athletic skills of our students but also the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie.

Supporters and students lined the stands and sidelines, cheered on their colours, offering encouragement and support, all orchestrated by the Director of Supercurricular and master of ceremonies, Jason Brooks. 

Matt Walsh, Supercurricular Manager gathered athletes for their event briefing before taking them through a warm up.

The highlights of the day were of course the infamous OIC tug of war and everyone's favourite sprint, the 100m with all eyes on OIC's longstanding 3 year record of 11.94s set by Hyunbin Jang back in 2021.  

The day concluded with an award ceremony, where medals and trophies were handed to the day's outstanding performers. However, it was clear that the true victory lay in the shared experiences and the bonds strengthened through friendly competition. Everyone left the field with a sense of accomplishment and a promise to return next year, ready to create even more memories.

Jason Brooks, commented "Our primary objective for the day was to create an engaging and memorable experience for the students, and I am thrilled to say that we achieved that. Through your collective efforts, we were able to foster a spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and healthy competition among the students. Moreover, this event brought together students from across the three years, helping to strengthen bonds and build a greater sense of community within the College.  I hope we created a day OIC students will remember not only for the sports and activities but also for the collaboration and unity it inspired among both students and staff."