‘We can compete right at the top’: Oriel student named Oxford Hockey Men’s Blues Captain

Waucquez was told in May that he would be captaining the side for the new campaign following a successful election from his teammates.

“When I found out I was going to be captain, I was almost in disbelief,” he smiled.

“The fact that the boys gave me their vote of confidence really, really means a lot to me.”

The 20-year-old’s love for the sport started nine years earlier when he first picked up a hockey stick. The significance of where the sport has led him is not lost on the third-year student.

“Legacy is something that I’ve thought about quite a lot,” he said.

” I would like to leave a little bit of myself here at the Club and being in these leadership positions is an extremely nice and powerful way to do that.

“Each new Men’s Blue hockey player gets their own Blues number,” Waucquez explained.  

“My number is 786, so that gives you a little bit of an insight into the scale of how many people have been before you.

“To be part of something so deep-rooted in tradition and so old is truly special.”

The centre back arranged a team meeting to discuss the side’s aims for the season, with three being agreed upon.

“Our first aim is promotion in our Saturday league,” he said.

“We definitely have the ability to perform very well.

“Second is top three placement in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport).

“We believe we can compete right at the top and we really want to be there with the top universities.

“And our third aim is we want to create our own brand of hockey and play it every session, every training session, every match.”

Waucquez was quick to praise the support he has received from his college in pursuing his hockey endeavours.

“Oriel has been a huge help in my time here at Oxford in general, especially in sports,” he said.

“The community we have here, the friends I have are all so supportive.

“It’s really great to be around people who not only recognise the sport that you’re doing, how important it is to you, but also support you in that.”