GradSport 2026: a day of sporting spirit, powered by The Forever Surrey Fund
The rain held off, the stands filled up and, for the first time in its history, GradSport ended in a draw
On Saturday, 9 May, Team Surrey and Team Alumni went head‑to‑head at Surrey Sports Park, and, after a full day of fixtures, the scoreboard read 21:21.
That result means alumni still lead the overall series 7–4, but this year’s tie felt like a fitting reflection of what GradSport has become: a true partnership between current students, returning graduates and the wider Surrey community.
From early morning warm‑ups to the final whistle, the Park was buzzing. More than 700 people took part in GradSport 2026 (399 students and 314 alumni), with more than 40 teams competing across 30 sports.
Spectators moved between high‑energy Futsal and Basketball games, tense Fencing and Judo bouts, and fast‑paced Dodgeball, Trampolining and Cheerleading showcases. Outside, the pitches hosted everything from Football, Lacrosse and Ultimate Frisbee, American Football and Touch Rugby. In the pool, Swimming and Water Polo squads battled it out, while on courts and indoor spaces, Tennis, Badminton, Squash, Volleyball, Dance, Ballroom & Latin and more kept the atmosphere electric.
Wherever you looked, there were moments that captured what GradSport is all about: alumni pulling on old club colours, students testing themselves against former teammates, and families and friends cheering from the sidelines.
Fencing's new scoring box and chest protectors.
Canoe Club have been able to invest in white-water kayaks to keep their beginners safe on the water.
How alumni support is changing the game
Much of the excitement behind GradSport is made possible by alumni and friends of the University through The Forever Surrey Fund.
Over the last year, donations have helped clubs across Team Surrey to upgrade equipment, improve safety and open up opportunities to more students.
- Volleyball has been transformed by a professional serving machine and specialist setter nets, funded by a £2,493.24 grant. With 65 student members, the club can now run high‑intensity drills at consistent speeds, sharpening skills and building confidence ahead of big fixtures like GradSport.
- On the water, Canoe Club has invested £2,292 in white‑water kayaks, belts and canoe polo helmets. These upgrades have improved safety for beginners and enhanced performance for the Canoe Polo team, ensuring that more students can take on challenging rivers and competitions with confidence.
- Surrey Dance Squad has purchased a portable, reversible dance floor, allowing 165 members to train safely in a variety of spaces without needing to hire specialist flooring. Their polished GradSport performances are just one example of how this investment is helping dancers train inclusively and at lower cost.
- Men’s Football utilised £6,000 from The Forever Surrey Fund to purchase two new sets of portable dugouts. With around 100 student players, the club had outgrown its old facilities. The new dugouts provide shelter for players and staff, creating a more professional matchday environment that alumni experienced first‑hand at GradSport.
- Fencing has benefitted from a new scoring box and chest protectors, funded by alumni. The updated kit allows more fencers to train simultaneously and keeps beginners safe as they learn the sport – vital preparation for the close contests seen at GradSport.
- In Hockey, £1,657 has provided new safety equipment such as face masks, knee protectors and gloves, helping players defend short corners more safely and effectively.
These are just a few of the clubs whose GradSport performances were underpinned by alumni generosity over the past year.
New projects on the horizon
Support from The Forever Surrey Fund is also shaping the future of Team Surrey, with several exciting projects currently underway:
- Cheerleading are set to receive nine new cheer mats, giving athletes a safer, more professional surface for stunts and routines, and helping them continue to wow the GradSport crowds.
- Tennis will soon install post‑mounted scoreboards, making it easier for both players and spectators to follow every game, set and match.
- Ballroom & Latin has been awarded £4,000 to invest in a more inclusive wardrobe, ensuring that all dancers can access performance‑ready outfits that reflect their style and identity.
- Baseball and Softball are establishing a permanent home field and training facilities, thanks to £1,868 from The Forever Surrey Fund – a major step in the growth of a young but ambitious club.
- Archery will welcome more beginners with new bows and bosses, giving students the chance to try the sport with safe, reliable equipment from their very first session.
- American Football is adding 11 new helmets, while Lacrosse will receive 20 helmets (including two for goalkeepers). These investments will improve safety, support squad growth and ensure that more students can take part in contact sports with confidence.
Each of these projects reflects the same principle: relatively modest gifts, pooled through The Forever Surrey Fund, can have a transformative impact on student experience on and off the field.
More than a match
GradSport 2026 will be remembered for its nail‑biting 21:21 draw and the friendly rivalry that played out across campus. But it will also be remembered as a celebration of what happens when alumni, students and supporters come together.
Every cheer from the stands, every close‑fought point and every team photo at the end of the day was made possible by a community that believes in the power of sport to build confidence, friendships and lifelong connections to Surrey.
As Team Surrey and Team Alumni look ahead to next year’s event, The Forever Surrey Fund will continue to invest in the clubs and societies that make GradSport such a special fixture in the University calendar.
Thank you to everyone who played, coached, volunteered, spectated or donated. Your support is helping Surrey students compete safely, inclusively and at the highest level – today and for generations to come.