Global Domination Claim the Title as Staff Come Together for a Day of Sport and Celebration
Staff Sports Day returned on Friday 26 June, with over 150 competitors and plenty of spectators gathering on a sun-soaked Gun House Green. The event, followed by the Staff Summer Social, brought colleagues from across the university together for a day of racing, teamwork, and well-earned bragging rights.
The afternoon opened with a mass warm-up before the heats got underway, with the top teams returning later in the day for the finals across all seven events.
The Dress-Up Race set the tone for the afternoon. Each team member took on a progressively more elaborate costume - hat, sweatbands, sunglasses, tutu, top and wellies, passing the items on in relay fashion until the final runner crossed the line fully kitted out. Cattie Club took the win in convincing style.
The Egg and Spoon Race tested balance and composure in equal measure. With plenty of near misses along the way, it was Global Domination who held their nerve to claim the top spot.
The Bean Bag Race required participants to complete the 40-metre course with a bean bag balanced on their head, no hands allowed. Cattie Club produced another composed performance to take their second event win of the day.
The Sack Race brought out the competitive instincts across the field. Tech and Spoon Race powered through the 20-metre course to take first place, and later earned the Fair Play Award to cap a strong day.
The Over and Under Race tested coordination and team chemistry as the ball made its way down the line. Global Domination took the win, adding another event victory to their growing tally.
The Beach Ball Relay required pairs to carry a ball between them, no hands permitted, across a 40-metre course. Flexible but Competitive lived up to their name, navigating the challenge well to claim the win.
The Frog Ball Race brought the finals to a close, with competitors hopping their way down the 20-metre track with a ball held between their knees. Global Domination crossed the line first to seal their dominance across the afternoon.
This year also saw the introduction of a brand-new Quiz Round. Throughout the day, teams were invited to complete a short team quiz during any available gap in the schedule. The addition proved popular and added a new dimension to the competition - one that Global Domination made the most of, claiming the Quiz win to round off a remarkable day.
A surprise of the afternoon was the UEB Race, which saw senior university leaders take to the track for a 40-metre sprint. Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith CBE, Provost Professor Sherria Hoskins, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement and Student Life) Chris Chang, and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Vikas Kumar all competed, to great enthusiasm from the crowd. Congratulations to the winner - Professor Vikas Kumar!
By the end of the races, team Global Domination were confirmed as overall champions, topping the leaderboard with wins across the Egg and Spoon, Over and Under, Frog Ball Race, and the Quiz. Masala Molars finished in second place and Shirts and Giggles took third. Special recognition went to Silly Scientists, who claimed the Best Dressed award, Tech and Spoon Race for Fair Play, and Team HR, who accepted the Wooden Spoon with good grace.
The Winners
|
1st place |
Global Domination |
| 2nd place | Masala Molars |
| 3rd place | Shirts and Giggles |
| Dress-up race | Cattie Club |
| Egg & Spoon race | Global Domination |
| Bean Bag race | Cattie Club |
| Sack race | Tech and Spoon Race |
| Over-Under race | Global Domination |
| Beach ball relay | Flexible but competitive |
| Frog ball race | Global Domination |
| Quiz | Global Domination |
| Wooden Spoon | Team HR |
| Fair Play | Tech and Spoon Race |
| Best Dressed | Silly Scientists |
Staff Summer Social
With the racing concluded, the afternoon transitioned into the Staff Summer Social on Gun House Green. The atmosphere was brilliant from the start, with food, drinks, and ice cream keeping everyone fueled as colleagues swapped stories and relived the highlights of the day. A DJ kept the energy going throughout, providing the perfect soundtrack to a warm summer evening. Colleagues settled onto the grass, caught up with familiar faces, and made the most of the occasion. A relaxed and well-deserved celebration to close out a fantastic afternoon of sport.
Thank You
A big thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, or came along to support. Events like this rely on the backing of the university, and that support is greatly appreciated.
Thanks also to our partners who helped the day run smoothly: Southcoast Physios for providing First Aid cover throughout the event. Thanks to Portsmouth Trophies for supplying the awards, and the Students' Union for providing music across the afternoon.