Staff Writer Joseph De La Salle writes about the 2026 Women’s Basketball Varsity game.
As we approach Varsity week, King’s College London (KCL) Women’s Basketball team will be facing off against University College London (UCL) in March. The outcome will stoke the fires of the longstanding rivalry between these neighbouring universities.
The club currently has the 1s (first team) and 2s (second team). Both teams work within the BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) framework, the national body that sets the standard for most student clubs. For the 1s, this year has been a rebuilding phase due to the influx of new team members. They are currently in BUCS Premier South, but, according to club President Samantha, are likely to be relegated to BUCS South East Division 1 next season.
While that is a step down in the BUCS hierarchy, it may actually enhance team development. Facing more regional opponents in a slightly less punishing environment can make it easier to integrate new players and sharpen consistency. Division 1 may not be “better” in status, but it can be better for the rebuild, giving the 1s a platform to grow from.
The 1s are led by Joyce and Elise, with Jasmine and Angelina leading the 2s. The recent addition of new coaches in the club has helped to hone the 2s through more rigorous training. Interestingly, Joyce and Angelina attended the same secondary school in Hong Kong. This is a testament to the fact that KCL’s international diversity enables the flourishing of both the university’s academic and sporting fronts.
Joyce and Elise have admitted to the challenging nature of leading a team consisting of many new members. Despite this, both have found the experience of working together enjoyable.
They have stressed that “cohesiveness became a quick priority”. Both commented that curating effective warm-ups has helped, pushing the limits of everyone’s flexibility to ensure the team is competition-ready. Joyce and Elise also aim to make every drill competitive by “contesting every shot and hustling on defence”, which has strengthened unity on court.
Over the course of the BUCS season, Vice-President Aniela has commented that the team has “grown closer through the season”. At this time, the co-captains have gained a better understanding of how to create effective team rotations based on individual playing styles. We will see the payoff of this in the upcoming Varsity game.
Last Varsity season, KCL went up against UCL and enjoyed a victory (91-86) and the team aspires to bring it home once more. Beyond results, Joyce and Elise have stressed their expectations for the team to “give 110% effort and, most importantly, have fun!”
Off the court, club socials have further improved team rapport, allowing their bonds to solidify. They have pub socials after games and Wednesday training sessions, giving the players a chance to wind down.
Tickets are not yet set, as the final confirmation of capacity is still to be confirmed. However, the game is currently scheduled to take place on March 25th, with the men’s game expected to start at 5:15 and the women’s at 7:15 at CitySport. Keep your eyes peeled on the KCLSU website so you don’t miss your opportunity to grab tickets!
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