Over 160 staff hopped, skipped, jumped, and laughed through Staff Sports Day

Staff were primed, warmed up (the sun did a pretty good job of that) and raring to go. With 15 teams and two heats, it all came down to the finals to crown our overall champions.

We kicked off with the Dress-up race, and what a start it was. Each team had to dash down the track wearing a hat, sweatbands, sunglasses, a tutu skirt, a top and wellies, passing them on to their teammates like a chaotic fashion relay. The first runner wore one item, the second wore two, and so on - until the final runner was fully decked out in all six items, wobbling their way to the finish line in a truly questionable ensemble. It was equal parts hilarious and impressive, and Team HR came out on top, proving they know how to dress for success, even at full sprint.

Next up, the Egg and Spoon race. A classic that tested patience, balance, and how steady your hands were after the mass warm-up. There were some heroic saves and some dramatic falls, but it was Graham’s Number who took the top spot, proving that slow and steady really does win the race.

Then came the Bean Bag race, a deceptively simple challenge that had everyone holding their breath. Participants had to walk or run down the 50m track with a bean bag balanced on their head - no hands, no shortcuts, just pure balance. It was a mix of intense focus, wobbly strides, and sheer determination. CADItude absolutely nailed it, cruising down the track with impressive poise to take the win.

We turned up the intensity with the Sack race. There were falls, tumbles, and some truly elite-level hopping. But it was Global Domination who absolutely leapt ahead of the pack, securing the win with what can only be described as rocket-powered potato sack propulsion.

The Skipping race followed, and it was pure playground nostalgia. Rhythmic footwork, tangled ropes, and a few stylish falls made it a fan favourite. Trailblazers took this one home with some serious coordination and a rhythm.

Then it was time for the Beach Ball race. Teams worked in pairs, with the ball wedged tightly between them (no hands or arms allowed!) as they shuffled, waddled, and giggled their way down the track. Coordination and communication were everything, and Run RMC absolutely nailed it, bouncing their way to the finish line with style and synchronicity.

Finally, we wrapped up with the Frog Ball race. Each team member had to jump or hobble down the track with a ball wedged firmly between their knees. No hands allowed, just thigh strength, balance, and sheer willpower. There were plenty of bouncy fails and some truly heroic recoveries, but CADItude snatched their second win of the day, hopping their way into glory.

The day wasn’t just about first-place finishes, it was about laughter, energy, and camaraderie. We had teams cheering each other on, staff from different departments meeting for the first time, and a few healthy rivalries emerging along the way. 
Team Global Domination lived up to their name, taking the top spot overall. Team UPSU followed close behind, and CADItude rounded out the podium in third.