The Hawks & Ospreys Access To Sports (HOATS) initiative, utilises the resources of Cambridge’s sports clubs to challenge misconceptions of elitism within sport at Cambridge, and the wider University. HOATS is run by members of the Hawks’ Club and the Ospreys Committees with the help of student volunteers.
The initiative was set up in 2015, and intends to highlight and promote the link between academic and sporting success. It also aims to promote inclusivity and positive student experiences at Cambridge, to a diverse audience of prospective applicants who may have otherwise not considered an application to be possible.
In the past, HOATS have worked with local schools to deliver talks and interactive sessions about the benefits of taking part in sport regularly, what life is like at the University, and breaking down some of the stereotypes surrounding Cambridge.
The 2023/24 HOATS committee members for the Hawks’ Club and the Ospreys are Ehren Agarwal (CUCC) and Nancy Twigg (CURUFC).
HOATS Partnerships
Since it’s inception, the HOATS scheme has developed into working with other initiatives. Some of our current partners are:
Cambridge Students Union
HOATS works with Cambridge SU on their Shadowing Scheme, in which the University welcomes sixth form students to shadow student volunteers over the course of three days. These students attend lectures, participate in teaching and experience university life. This is targeted towards people who have little or no experience of university, particularly those who are currently underrepresented at the University, or those who would be the first in their family to attend university. HOATS helps by delivering talks and organising Q&A sessions, as well as encouraging Hawks and Ospreys to sign up as student volunteers.
Find more information about the Cambridge SU shadowing scheme here.
Cambridge University Sports Service
HOATS works with the University Sports Service to promote sport within Cambridge, and to help promote university sport to a wider audience. HOATS helps to promote the annual sports fair as well as helping with their outreach programmes.
Find more about the University Sports Service here.
Wakefield Trinity R.L.F.C
Whilst acting as both the HOATS officer for the Hawks’ Club Committee 2019-2020, as well as the President of Cambridge University Rugby League Football Club (CURLFC) 2019-2020, Hilary Foord established a link with Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Football Club. Wakefield Trinity is a professional Rugby League club based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. This started out as shared training sessions, but the aim is to expand this into access events in a region of the country that is traditionally underrepresented in the student population at Cambridge.
Find more about Wakefield Trinity here.
Power2Inspire
Power2Inspire is a fantastic company that works to increase inclusivity within sport, by delivering multiple events that aim to break down stereotypes about disability in sport. HOATS helps by getting involved in their multiple PowerHouseGames inclusive sports days that take place throughout the year. Hawks and Opsreys participate in the games along with local schoolchildren from independent, state and special educational needs schools, as well as with local corporate leaders.
In the summer of 2022 HOATS co-hosted our very own Hawks & Ospreys PowerHouseGames with Power2Inspire.
Find more details about Power2Inspire and their PowerHouseGames here.
