What is a Blue?
A Blue is the highest sporting honour the University of Oxford can award. It recognises student athletes who have represented Oxford competing in a Varsity fixture against the University of Cambridge. Blues are awarded in three tiers. It is one of the oldest sporting traditions in British university sport.
A Full Blue is granted in the most established and competitive sports.
A Half Blue covers a wider range of sports where Varsity competition exists but the threshold for a Full Blue has not been met. The status of each sport, as well as the precise criteria athletes must meet, is determined and periodically reviewed by the Blues Committee.
Discretionary Full Blue clubs may regularly upgrade Half Blues to Full Blues for athletes who meet additional sporting acheivement criteria, as well as additional sportsmanship criteria listed in the Blues Constitution 2023 Appendix 3, at the discretion of their captains and the approval of the Committee.
Committee Structure
The committee is formed by an Executive (the President, the Treasurer, and the Secretary) and the captains of the member Sports Clubs.
- President
- Chairs committee meetings. Responsible for strategic oversight of the Blues Committee.
- Secretary
- Administers nominations, records motions, and manages communications with clubs and applicants.
- Treasurer
- Administers the Club Finances.
How Decisions Are Made
The committee meet no less than once per Oxford term. Nominations submitted before the term's deadline are reviewed in advance by the Secretary, who prepares the agenda. Each nomination is debated and put to a formal motion.
Further Information
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