Congratulations to Kate, Lucy student, who will play this weekend
Kate Kirk is a part-time student through the Institute for Continuing Education at Madingley, and proud to be a member of Lucy. Kate is taking the MSt in Crime and Thriller Writing, and is part of the first cohort on the course. At 61, Kate is possibly the oldest player ever to be selected for the Varsity squad. The match will be played at Lords over 2 days, Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd July. In this wonderfully uplifting interview, Kate talks about sport, her study and what she loves about Lucy.
Have you always loved sport and been very active?
My relationship with sport has been a bit hit and miss, but I'm very active now. When I was younger, I either thought I didn't have the time, or I was too lazy. But since my late-20s, I've always tried to do something to keep fit and also have fun. I lived in the Philippines for 13 years and played lawn tennis there, as well as scuba diving. When we moved back to Cambridge, my husband took up real tennis and kept trying to persuade me to have a try. Eventually, I went to the courts on Grange Road and it didn't take long to get hooked - it's a very addictive game. I also run the Medoc marathon every year if I can - hoping it will be back in 2022.
Why is being on the squad this year such an achievement?
Not surprisingly, both men's and ladies' real tennis squads have had a topsy turvy year, with the courts being closed during lockdowns so we've hardly been able to play. But everyone who is available for both firsts and seconds Varsity has put in a massive effort to train and make up for lost time.
What does this mean to you personally?
I am absolutely delighted to be representing Cambridge, and playing at Lords is very special. It won't have the same atmosphere as normal Varsity matches, but the entire squad is excited that we're able to play and show Oxford what we're made of. I also really enjoy being part of a team - as a part-time student and a resident of Cambridge, this is a great way for me to be involved in student activities. When I was a (very) mature undergrad, the real tennis gang even took me clubbing!
What Covid and other hurdles have you had to overcome to be able to play?
Real tennis is an indoor game - which is great if you don't like being out in the rain and snow, but means that the courts have been closed for a lot of the year under Covid regulations. Keeping fit in general hasn't been too bad - I've done a lot of running and weights - but it took a while to get my eye in once we were allowed to play again.
What are you studying at Lucy Cavendish and what do you like about the College?
I'm a part-time student through the Institute for Continuing Education at Madingley, and proud to be a member of Lucy. I'm taking the MSt in Crime and Thriller Writing, and am part of the first cohort on the course, which is very exciting. The course director is best-selling author Sophie Hannah. Since I live outside college, I've not been involved in daily life at Lucy, but I do appreciate all the online events that have been run, and have joined in when I can. Before the pandemic, I often used to attend events at Lucy that were open to all, and look forward to doing that again in the future.
What to you is special about the Lucy community?
I can only say what I note as a part-time student living outside college, but I certainly feel well informed about everything that is going on, and feel able to contact my tutor if I have any questions or concerns, so I guess the answer is that it is welcoming and inclusive, even to those not at the heart of the Lucy community.
What would you say to inspire students to pursue sports as actively as you have?
One of the best things about being in Cambridge is that there are so many different sports and activities to try. We all know how important it is to get exercise, and how good sports, especially team or group sports, can be for mental health, so my advice would be to go to the Societies fair and check out all the sports available, try a few and then choose one to stick with, so you can get the benefits of improving and also make friends from outside your subject and from different colleges. That combination not only helps you physically and mentally, but also enriches your experience here in Cambridge. And of course I'd say try real tennis! Not only are the courts nice and near to Lucy (down Grange Road, opposite Robinson), but you also get the opportunity to go to other courts as well and they are all unique - we're off to Hampton Court Palace in the summer, where we will play on a court that dates back to the 16th century.