A blue is an award earned by athletes who compete for Cambridge University at the highest level, which often involves performing at some standard and competing in the top team at the annual Varsity Match against Oxford. For some sports, a full blue may not be achievable, and instead a half-blue may be awarded (which is given for competing in the Varsity Match).
Swimming
Swimming is a ‘full blue’ sport at Cambridge. This means that, on achievement of a certain standard, a Cambridge swimmer will be awarded a ‘blue’; the University’s highest recognition of sporting achievement. All swimmers competing in the Varsity Match in the Blues Squad against Oxford are awarded a ‘half blue’. If a swimmer who competes in the Match also achieves a Blues time whilst representing the University during the season, they are awarded a ‘full blue’. However the award of a ‘blue’ or ‘half blue’ is always subject to the Captain’s discretion and the approval of the Men’s or Ladies’ Blues Committee.
Blues Times are based on the FINA Point system, where world records score 1000 points, and are set at 585 points for Freestyle events and 560 points for all other events. The times are updated annually to reflect new world records.
Swimmers who are selected for the Varsity Match are awarded Half Blues. If a swimmer also achieves a Blues Time in an individual event during the same academic year, they are awarded a Full Blue. Blues Times can be achieved in any competition while representing Cambridge.
Water Polo
Water polo is a discretionary Full Blue sport at Cambridge – ‘Blues’ and ‘Half Blues’ are one of the University’s recognitions of sporting achievement. For the Men’s Water Polo Squad there are normally thirteen Half Blues awarded each year; these equate to the Varsity Match squad. The ladies’ water polo squad typically receive seven Half Blues: these are usually awarded to the Varsity Match starting line-up. To be eligible for a Blue or Half Blue a player must have played against Oxford in the Varsity Match, however, the award of a Half Blue is also subject to the Captain’s discretion. Full Blues (the University’s highest recognition of sporting achievement) may be awarded subject to the approval of the Blues Committee in the case of particularly noteworthy players who may for instance have gone on to compete at national level.