If you’d like to start a new Sport or Society please get in touch with the DCSA Sports & Societies Officers

Sports & Societies

Badminton Club

Our club welcomes players of all standards, from complete beginners to experienced. No commitment, no membership fees, and courts are paid for by Darwin. We also provide rackets and shuttlecocks. All we want is for you to enjoy badminton. For the competitive ones amongst you, we have a college team that competes in the intercollegiate league, so stay tuned for trials throughout the year! We usually play on Thursdays (6.30-8.15PM) and Sundays (3-5PM) at the Leys Leisure Sports Complex. There may be occasional changes to our sessions so please check your emails and join our WhatsApp group for updates. WhatsApp: Access via Community Page Contact: 2026 contact TBC - check the WhatsApp community

Basketball Club (Men)

Darwin College has a proud and successful basketball tradition! Every year, we compete in two of Cambridge University's intercollegiate competitions: Division 1 of the college league (Michaelmas and Lent terms) and the Cuppers tournament (Easter term). We are the reigning champions in both competitions and are eager to defend our titles this season! The season officially runs from late October to April, but our commitment to basketball doesn’t stop there. We continue to train once a week and play throughout the summer. Come join us, make new friends, and help us keep the winning tradition alive!

Contact: 2026 contact TBC - check the WhatsApp community

Facebook

Basketball Club (Women)

The Darwin Women’s Basketball Club is the college's most successful sports team, and THE most successful women’s basketball team in the university, having won the college league most years since its formation in May 2000. We are fortunate enough to have a dedicated basketball coach, Dan, who runs our training all year round so we can improve our skills and truly enjoy the game of basketball. We practice with friendly games, often joined by members of the university 1st and 2nd teams! No matter what your skill level, beginner or player for many years, you are welcome on our team!We practice every Sunday 6:15pm to 8:15pm at Coleridge Community College.

Contact:
Elsa (el556)
Facebook
Website

Beekeeping Association

Having BEEn lured in by the sweet idea of collecting our very own honey, the Darwin College Beekeeping Association started our very own DarHives in the Darwin Garden. We learn about and discuss all aspects of beekeeping, but promise not to drone on about it, and welcome new members at any experience level as long as you have a high threshold for bee puns. So, if you are an eco-warrior keen to join the fight against our declining pollinators or just looking for an exciting new hobby, email or join us on a hive visit to find out what all the buzz is about!

Contact:
Bea (tah56)
Jacob (jgp34)
Look for WhatsApp group in Darwin Community

Boat Club

Darwin College Boat Club (DCBC) is the largest society in Darwin, dedicated to all things rowing! We are one of the most successful graduate boat clubs in Cambridge - just check out the blades in the bar for our previous accomplishments! We are, above all, a friendly, social, and welcoming family. Rowing is a Cambridge tradition, and it is almost impossible to avoid at least one conversation about it during your time here. At DCBC, we believe that everyone should have a go, and encourage anyone to come try out, at least so you can decipher the jargon of the sport! We train year-round (winter and summer) and participate in numerous races both in Cambridge and outside of Cambridge.

In August 2024, Darwin was invited to compete at an international Regatta in South Korea alongside world leading rowing teams. The main events in our calendar include Lent (in March) and May (in June - don’t ask) Bumps. May Bumps is one of the highest-profile events in the Cambridge calendar, with thousands of people lining the banks over 4 afternoons to watch boats speed down the Cam, attempting to physically crash into one another (a Bump), while avoiding being hit by the crew behind (getting bumped). If you’re not in a boat, you can get the second most enjoyment out of the days by sitting on the banks with your refreshments of choice, and cheering Darwin to victory!

We are fortunate enough to enter multiple boats into each Bumps race, so join up to experience the carnage first-hand! We welcome all levels of rowing - from those who don’t know what a boat looks like or have never used a rowing machine (erg), to future Olympic hopefuls, and anything in between. We hold taster sessions for both rowers and coxes (person in the front of the boat making the rowing calls and steering the boat). Whichever you feel suits you, you’ll get full coaching and training by our senior club members and experienced coaches.

Try a few water sessions (outings) at the beginning of Michaelmas, and with the other novice rowers, you’ll slowly become unstoppable forces of nature, ready to slay the competition out on the river. There are plenty of opportunities for novices to take part in racing in Michaelmas term where you will have the chance to dress-up and race against other colleges. Novice races are fun and light-hearted, culminating the term with the not-to-be-missed Boat Club Dinner, a chance to regale the Club with your war stories from the term, and just blow off some steam. Rowing is teamwork at its peak. From our strong tan lines in the summer, our matching kit (free speed), the laughs, the sweat, and the shared exquisite pain, you will come away with some of the closest Darwin friendships and bonds that will be everlasting.

Come and chat to us to find out more at the Fresher’s Sports and Societies Fair, and even get started and have a go on the erg!
Contact:
Overall capt (Nicholas): darwin.captain@cucbc.org
Dilsad: darwin.women@cucbc.org
Dom & Huw: darwin.men@cucbc.org


Website
Instagram
Facebook

Climbing

Welcome to the climbing society! In addition to weekly bouldering hangouts at Rainbow Rocket (North and Central), we also sporadically climb at Kelsey Kerridge climbing centre and have a range of outdoors climbing equipment that you can borrow. Come join us at one of our free taster sessions - no climbing experience required!

Contact:
Lucia (lh866)
Michael (mab282)
WhatsApp

Cricket Club

Darwin and Wolfson CC (Dolfin CC) are an inclusive social and competitive cricket club that caters for all abilities and past experience. Most have never played before so please come down regardless of ability! We will be playing in four different competitions next year, looking to continue our success in the MCR league. Please get in touch if you have any interest in playing cricket!

Contact:
George (grs53)
WhatsApp
Instagram

Football (Men's)

Football (Men's) Welcome to Darwin College Men’s FC, your new home of football! The college has one men’s team, playing in the Cambridge University JCR league, and we also enter into one of the world’s oldest cup competitions. After two Covid disrupted seasons, the team won promotion last year to secure a coveted place on the DarBar wall. We welcome everyone regardless of playing ability; whether you are a seasoned veteran, an occasional player looking to rekindle your career, or a total rookie, Darwin College FC is the place for you! Sign up at the freshers’ fair or get in touch via Facebook or email, and be on the lookout for details of training, matches and most importantly, socials, starting in October. Contact:
2026 contact TBC - check the WhatsApp community

Gardening Society

Darwin college members, usually meeting every Sunday at 4pm. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a complete beginner, you're welcome to join us in cultivating flowers, vegetables, herbs, and fruit! But DarGar is not just about growing - it's about eating too! In the summer months, you'll be able to pick your favourites or try new fruit/veg. In October we collect the apples and pears from the Darwin trees to make juices and chutneys. Over the winter we still meet up, often to make delicious dishes from food bought at the local farmers' market.
contact: Annie (ah2083)

Instagram: darwin.gardening.society

LGBTQ+

Darwin's LGBTQ+ community has regular meet-ups where we do an assortment of activities like arts & crafts, book clubs but most often just a simple chat with your friends with drinks and snacks provided. The 'Darwin community only' events are intercalated with social swaps with communities from nearby colleges (bar nights, BBQs). February is LGBTQ+ history month, with plenty of talks and events (like formal halls, bar crawls and club nights) organised by the Cambridge University Students' Union or the communities from various colleges. For more information, contact the DCSA's LGBTQ+ Officer, Alex, at dcsa_lgbtq@darwin.cam.ac.uk or ask Alex to add you to the private WhatsApp group to hear about upcoming events.

Contact: Alex
dcsa_lgbtq@darwin.cam.ac.uk

Quiz

A group for organizing Darwin's quizzing activities, from the termly darQuiz to the University Challenge team.

Contact: Ben (bgjm2)

Squash Club

Whether you are someone who's always wanted to try squash but never had the time/place or a seasoned player looking for competition, Darwin Squash is the place for you. We run taster sessions during the early part of Michaelmas, have weekly coached sessions during term time, and participate in the college leagues (Michaelmas and Lent) and Cuppers (Lent). And of course if you just want to play for fun, there's loads of club mates who are up for friendly games during the week. Come say hello and find out how to book courts and borrow equipment.

Contact: Aditi (am3283)

Penguins Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee is a team sport played with a flying disc. The best way to get a sense of what it’s all about is to come along and try it! We hold weekly training sessions involving throwing practice, some drills and lots of games – anyone from complete beginner to national-level player is welcome to join us. Matches for the friendly but competitive College league are usually at weekends, and there’s a tournament at the end of each term. Our team comprises players from a few different colleges, so playing with us is a great way to meet people from other colleges too – plus we organise plenty of socials and formals.

Contact: Shaurya (sa2267)

Volleyball

Our volleyball club is all about having fun and enjoying the game in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, everyone is welcome to join in and share our love for the sport. We organise weekly sessions and take part in the friendly local volleyball league as well in Cuppers (intercollegiate sports competitions).

Contact: Maciek (mw896)

Wine and Cheese Society

Care to know your Camembert from your Castigliano? Your Burgundy from your Beaujolais? Fancy yourself as an Oenologist, a Sommelier or cheese fancier? The DCW&CS is here to introduce your taste buds to a world of winery and creamery delights. There will be tasting events throughout the year.

Contact: Sofia (skpd2), Patrick (pwh33)

Yoga

Darwin does Yoga!

Darwin does Yoga! We offer Iyengar yoga classes twice a week with one of Cambridge's most sought-after teachers, Shaili Shafai. All levels are welcome! We run classes twice a week during the whole year: Online on Wednesdays 6-7:15pm and in-person Saturdays 2:00-3:15pm in the Bradfield room.
You can join our online classes by subscribing to our "Darwin College Yoga" mailing list to receive the class access details, and just turn up for the in person ones! We offer all the equipment needed, so if you would like to access some of it to join our online yoga classes, get in touch. We also offer more advanced workshops and social events once a term! Contact:
2026 contact TBC

Get involved

If there’s a club/society not listed here, not to worry - you can start it! To found a new club/society you need to have a President and a Treasurer, and 15 Darwin students need to sign up. Then, you can apply for funding from the DCSA Treasurer.


Some clubs which have existed in the last couple of years are listed below. We may still have equipment for some of these activities, so do ask if you’re interested!

If you’re interested in starting or restarting a Darwin sports team or society, come to the Sports & Societies Fair to pick up the necessary paperwork or email the DCSA treasurer (dcsa_treasurer@darwin.cam.ac.uk) or the Sports & Societies officers (dcsa_sports@darwin.cam.ac.uk)

Aerial Arts

Darwin College Aerial Arts is aiming to establish a variety of increasingly popular sports at Darwin. We currently have the equipment to run beginners pole classes in college. With the purchase of our new trapeze, we are also planning to offer static trapeze classes this year.

Aerial Arts are a great way to improve strength, flexibility and overall fitness and the club is open to all students regardless of their age and experience-level. Whether you have previous experience or are just curious about it - please drop by at our sessions and give it a go! You can find out more by joining our Facebook group “Darwin College Aerial Arts” for regular updates.

Facebook

Families Society

Being a postgraduate college, a significant portion of our students arrive with their families. Darwin's Families Society aims to bring together students and families to form a joint community where all are welcomed, as well as promote family issues within the College and the University. We run informal events throughout the year as well as bigger events about once per term, to celebrate special occasions. Our most popular events are a Christmas (and Hanukkah) mulled wine and sing-along event held together with the Darwin choir, and the Easter egg hunt held in the College garden. In addition, the Families Society provides activities for children alongside the College-wide DCSA events, to ensure that all our College community feel welcome at all events wherever possible. The Society owns a number of toys and games for a range of different ages which members can access to help their children have a good time while at College. We encourage students with families and all students that want to be a part of this special community to join our society.

See the families guide for lots of useful information.

If you have any questions or want to get involved with this society, please get intouch:

dcsa_families AT darwin DOT cam DOT ac DOT uk

Open Club for Debate

The idea is pretty simple: a room, some wine and a topic no one can agree on. The Darwin Open Club for Debate is an informal non-stuffy club, where Darwinians and other students from the University of Cambridge debate about controversial topics in an open setting with minimal intervention from a moderator.

We usually meet once a week, and try to schedule debates relevant to latest news. Join our Facebook group to keep up with our events, everybody is welcome to attend!

Facebook