With the 22/23 season starting this weekend, Varsity looks ahead at the key storylines and must-watch match-ups for the upcoming season. 

Women’s and Non-Binary Division One 

Having captured the elusive Cambridge double last season, winning both the league and Cuppers, Jesus will be confident heading into this year’s competition.  

Stern opposition awaits. Christs-Churchill-Lucy, last-years third-place finishers, will be gunning for the top spot. Recording the joint-highest goals scored last year (23, alongside Jesus), and the fewest goals conceded (9), they are serious contenders. 

Newcomers Pembroke-Clare-Clare Hall are also looking to make a statement, bringing neon-yellow grit to a first division pitch near you. Captain Lauren Murray is intent on leading her “mentality monsters” to new heights. Limits? She’s never heard of them. “Ask again when we have our hands on two shiny trophies at the end of the season.” 

Men’s Division One 

Reigning champions Fitz, having retained several key players, are in a strong position to defend their men’s division one title. 

Favourites to lead the chase are Pembroke, last year’s runners-up. With a host of new talent and a chip on their shoulder, they head into the season with lofty ambitions. Captain Ollie Reed is supremely confident, “determined to go that one step further and take the title, and hopefully the cup along with it.” Watch out, Fitz.   

The relegation battle promises similar drama. With only three points separating third-placed Homerton and now-relegated Corpus last year, few places in Division One are secure. With newbies Jesus and Selwyn unwilling to go down without a fight, this one will be a close call. 

Men’s Division Two

New rules are spicing up the competition in the men’s Division Two. With a promotion play-off final set to be waged between the second and third-place finishers, only the title guarantees promotion. 

With the allure of promotion to the big-time (and the attendant TV and brand deals that come with such dizzy heights), expect a nail-biting conclusion as teams scrap to clinch the title or steal third place. 

Newly relegated Corpus and Downing are favourites for the title, but they must contend with strong returning sides. Emma and St. Cat’s, last year’s third and fourth-place finishers, will hope for another strong campaign. 

King's are Varsity’s dark horse for the top spot. Last season’s fifth-place finish exposed a lack of consistency, not quality; two statement victories over first division opponents in last year’s Cuppers affirm their potential to beat anyone on their day. 

Women’s and NB Division Two 

With only Wolfson-Darwin-St Edmunds returning to the division, the second tier is wide open. Queens’ Greens will be looking to bounce back from relegation, but it may be those rising from the division below who claim the top spots. 

Securing four wins from four games on their way to the third division title, St Johns-Kings have left little doubt that they mean business. 

Can they do it on a cold, rainy night in Homerton? That remains to be seen.