‘We had this desire to win’: OUCCC women’s captain reflects on ‘special weekend’ for club

Oriel student and women’s captain of the Oxford University Cross Country Club Tamsin Sangster is celebrating a ‘special weekend’ for the club following the British Universities and Colleges Sports event.

Held in Loughborough on Saturday 31 January, Oxford University athletes made history as they ended years of dominance from the likes of Loughborough and Birmingham with a number of impressive performances.

The men’s A team secured victory for the first time since 1970 while the women’s A team came third, completing a podium finish for the first time in 25 years.

“We had this desire to win, we knew that we could do it,” said Sangster.

“It obviously takes a lot of hard work, it takes a while to get the results that we did, but you just have to commit to training, believe in yourselves, work together.

“Each year we’re building to get better and it’s been really special to see all of that hard work has finally paid off.”

The memorable event took place during the club’s 150^th year anniversary and 2026 marks 50 years of women competing in Varsity.

“It’s really special that I’ve been able to be part of this, especially as the women’s captain,” the Law student said.

“I’m celebrating with the women of the club, teaching them about the history while learning about it myself.”

Born in Hong Kong to British parents before moving to Abu Dhabi, Sangster had never lived in England before studying at Oriel.

Her sporting journey began in the pool, but the Coronavirus pandemic put a halt to her regular exercise routine.

“I used to swim eight times a week and then Covid comes along and the pools close,” said Sangster.

“I needed a goal; I needed something to work towards.

“My dad ran, so I started running with him at five in the morning to escape the heat of the UAE.”

Then her studies took her on a different path from road running.

“I came to Oxford and I wanted to try triathlon but I went with one of my friends in college to a cross-country freshers run.

“I’d never really seen a hill because living in Abu Dhabi you don’t have hills, it’s very flat and I’d never seen mud because all you have is tarmac or sand to contend with.

“So, it was quite an exciting experience and I just fell in love with cross country.”

A change of culture from Asia to Europe brought with it a change of wardrobe requirement.

“The weather I struggle with a bit because it’s cold and it’s rainy,” said Sangster while looking at the drizzle out of the window.

“I lived at home in shorts and flip-flops and now I can’t really wear flip-flops outside, that’s the main struggle.

“I’m not a big fan of socks!”

An aspiring solicitor, the third-year student insists her connection with the cross-country club won’t end once she graduates.

“OUCCC is only the start for me,” Sangster said.

“It’s something that I can carry on for the rest of my life because I’ll always be a part of it.

“I can get excited about the 200th anniversary next, because I know that I’ll be around.

“I will be able to meet the woman’s captain in that time, and tell her about 50 years ago, this is what we did.”