Clubs & Societies
Whether it's keeping active, becoming a champion, discovering new passions and interests, or developing leadership skills, then getting involved in clubs, societies and music ensembles is a must and part of a proud Cambridge tradition.
Clubs
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Tennis Club
We play matches against other colleges. The group is also an opportunity to arrange hit-abouts or friendly matches with others from the team if keen to play more.
Contact: Michael Miskin
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Emmanuel + Murray Edwards College Hockey Club
Hockey club open to all abilities - whether you have played hockey previously or not! We are a combined team with Murray Edwards and we typically play in part of college league on Sundays, and cake is always provided afterwards! Follow us on Instagram @memmahockey.
Contacts: Adam Harris
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Volleyball Club
We're a beginner-friendly volleyball club who meet for indoor and outdoor training throughout the year. The ability is very mixed - we have uni level players and complete novices - and our sessions include plenty of game-play and opportunity for skills training.
Contact: Sasha Carter
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Association Football
ECAFC is a welcoming football club, currently fielding a competitive Firsts team and a more laid-back Seconds team. Each team plays matches against other colleges most weekends, alongside weekly training, regular socials, and an annual tour.
Baller or not, we want you to come and join the Pink and Blues.Contact: Barney Barnes, Joe Larkin, Tobias Doye & Peter Holmes
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Cricket Club
Description Goes Here
Contact: Joe Conway
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Badminton
Emma Badminton is a friendly badminton society, inclusive to players at all levels. We provide free weekly courts at the Leys for seasoned players and complete beginners alike. These are a great chance to unwind with friends after a hectic week and meet new people! We also have teams in several college leagues for the more competitive among us, and opportunities to play in cuppers in Lent term.
Contact: Hana Oya-Knight, Cameron Goh
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Mountaineering Club
Description Goes Here
Contact: James McAllister
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Mixed Lacrosse Club
Amazing, social and fun mixed lacrosse team which is great for players of all levels (most start as complete beginners!). Play for fun!
Contact: Olivia Howarth, Joe Larkin
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Boat Club
Emmanuel Boat Club is a high-performing club on both the men’s and women’s sides and competes in various races on and off the Cam, including the famous Cambridge ‘Bumps’. We also have one of the best novice programmes in Cambridge, so if you would like to learn how to row or cox, please get in contact!
Contact: Amelie McKenna
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Netball Club
The Netball Club always has a ladies team, and sometimes has a mixed netball team. Both teams are relaxed and welcome anyone to join, with the mixed netball being the most relaxed. The ladies netball team is currently in division one and won the league and cuppers, so we are excited to welcome new people to our team to continue the fun we've had so far! We are not selective so anyone is welcome to join, no matter their skill level.
Contact: Susie Kirsten, Harriet Knights
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Athletics Club
Emmanuel College Athletics Club is the point of contact to get involved in intercollegiate and university athletics. The best way to represent Emma is at Cuppers in Michaelmas Term (19th October) - it's a very fun and lighthearted event and absolutely no experience is required! Just pop us a message if interested, and come along to try some new events, have fun and score some points for Emma :)
Contact: Jack Lipman, Leonie Brunning
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Women's Football
We are the college’s women’s football team. We compete in the college league and train once a week. If we are low on numbers we group together with other colleges, so it’s a great way to meet people within college and external to college.
Contact: Leana Carbonez
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Basketball Club
We compete in the college Basketball league and have basketball training sessions - joint with another college.
Contact: Benedict Binu
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Squash Club
Whether you’ve never picked up a racket before or you’re a seasoned player, Emma Squash is the perfect place to get on court, stay active, and meet new people. Squash is easy to pick up, fast-paced, and fun. (Smashing a ball against a wall can be surprisingly good stress relief!)
We aim to run relaxed social sessions and facilitate both friendly and competitive matches in the inter-college leagues and college ladder. Most importantly, we love welcoming new faces and sharing the sport we’re passionate about, so come along and give it a go!Contact: Izzy Sargent & Tom Speke
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Bridge Club
We run relaxed and social weekly Bridge sessions open to all player abilities including those who've never played before. We help teach everyone from the absolute basics up. Come along to play a few hands!
Contact: Tom Angel, Tom Speke & Sam Wakefield
Societies
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Emma/Downing Christian Union
We are Emmanuel-Downing Christian Union – a friendly community of Christians and non-Christians across both colleges who meet to study the Bible together, think about how this applies to our lives as students, and pray for each other! Come along and we’d love to get to know you!
We meet on Friday evenings 6 for dinner and 6:45 for bible study (alternating Emma and Downing)Contact: Jasmine Stensel & Sam di Castiglione
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Poker Society
We run a casual no-stakes poker society in the events space under the bar on a Thursday evening and twice a term we do a cash tournament (£2 buy-in). Picture a Thursday evening, a busy week of lectures is drawing to a close, you have just had back to back supos and, pint in hand, you walk down the stairs into the idyll that is the bar’s basement, into the ethereal, rejuvenating light of Emma Poker Soc (@emmapokersoc). Let Poker Soc be your weekly salvation. While listening to an absolutely generational playlist with friends, play poker, made even more heavenly by Emma bar’s unbeatable prices. (open to beginners and advanced players alike).
Contact: Catherine Hollamby, Noe Ceasar, Will Contreras, Tom Angell
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Music Society
We are one of Cambridge’s largest, most active and longest established music societies. We host a wide range of ensembles and hold regular concerts and social events. We host the unauditioned Central Colleges’ Orchestra, and have a Big Band and Chorus alongside Emma’s New Groove, and all of these feature in our end-of-term concerts. On top of this we run small chamber groups and a weekly recital series. We welcome members from any Cambridge College to join us. We aim for a high musical standard but low stress: we love playing good music and having fun! All the different groups have a wide range of repertoires, and we range in abilities and commitments, making sure that everyone who wants to get involved is able to.
Contact: Laurie Fay and Nora Rechel
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Universalist Society
We are a society formed around a new political movement, Universalism. The universalist movement aims to research and implement robust, sustainable economic and social systems through systemic reform. Activity within the society will be a mixture of research and discussions plus media engagement to increase awareness.
Contact: Noah Hughes
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FemSoc
FemSoc is our intersectional and trans-inclusive feminist society at Emma! We host loads of fun events, from crafts to discussions to cocktail nights!
Contact: ?
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Board Games Society
Emma Board Games Society is a group that runs weekly and occasional sessions of board gaming. Our sessions are open to all Emma members and any friends that they would like to bring along. Favourite games of the society include Blood on the Clocktower, Dune; Imperium, Mysterium, Kingmaker, and Coup. Additionally, our collection of around 20 board games can be borrowed by Emma members by contacting the society’s Chairperson, Secretary, or another Board (Committee) member.
Contact: Zander Barker and Matthew Burnell
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Williams Law Society
Our student society hosts alumni speaker events exploring diverse career routes into law—open to both law and non-law students. We also offer valuable networking opportunities through dinners with top law firms and provide hands-on experience via mooting competitions. The aim of the Williams Law Society is to create opportunities to learn and connect within the legal world!
Contact: Anastasia Solyanyk and Nimran Dhaliwal
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Green Ducks
We are the ECSU Green and Ethical society, championing student-driven sustainability initiatives in college. This year, we are primarily focused on increasing access and use of Emmanuel's community gardens.
Contact: Holly Powell & Catherine Hollamby
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Film Society
Emma’s Film Society shows cool and exciting movies every week. We're planning on screening every Monday in the sofa room of the bar, and we'll hopefully see you there. For more information about us and about the films we're showing, please follow @emmafilmsoc on Instagram, where all information about screenings will be posted.
Contacts: ?
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1584 Society
The 1584 Society hosts a number of events, inviting figures from the political world to speak and answer questions posed by students. We aim to encourage debate and political curiosity across the Emma community.
Contact: George Allwood, Charlie Jessett & Lowenna Biscoe
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Emgineers
Description Goes Here
Contact: ?
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Yarn Society
Yarn Soc is the perfect place for everyone who loves all things yarn! We wanted a place for knitters and crocheters to gather and make wonderful things in the company of wonderful people. We also welcome beginners who want to learn how to crochet and knit and hold teaching sessions for you to come and learn from our expert committee! Come and make a start on your dream woolly wardrobe! (snacks, yarn and needles/hooks all provided!!!!)
Contact: Athena Ganesh and Hitha Mannemela
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Paddle Society
We own a paddleboard, and hope to own 1 more, which you can take out on one of our prepared routes. There are beautiful areas of river inaccessible without a watercraft making it a great activity to do alone or with some mates. Great self care.
Contacts: Leana Carbonez and Florence Jarvis
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Running Society
We are Emma's friendly running club! We organise group runs at a relaxed pace (no pressure to be Olympic speed!) Join us for our weekly plod down the river :)
Contacts: Anna Hawkins, Rebekah Bourne, Amelia Preston, Eleanor Wallace
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Pool Society
We play pool matches against other colleges in a league throughout the year, and regularly run Emma tournaments in bar. The team is not fixed and we try to get everyone to have a chance to play matches - all abilities are welcome.
Contact: Fin Brickman
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Varsity Ski Trip
The Ski Trip is an annual event hosted by Oxford and Cambridge with up to 3000 people going. It's a great way to end Michaelmas term, and the club is formed to let people know about the trip and answer any queries.
Contact: Sara Jones
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Emmanuel Cold Water Swim Society
We get together once a week for a cold water dip ('swim' is actually, usually, quite a generous term), in either wild swim spots, Jesus Lido, or Emma Pool. We have some regular attendees but also have some members that like to join once a month, or once a term, or just when the weather is nice! We often go on Sunday mornings, back in time for Emma brunch...
Contact: Katie Copp and Olga Devine
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Prose Society
A space for writing and sharing prose at Emma, whatever the genre, all are welcome and there is no pressure to share!
Contact: Daniel Kamaluddin
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Vincent Lumsden Society
The Vincent Lumsden Society is a student-led initiative at Emmanuel College that creates a supportive and inclusive space for Black students of African and Caribbean heritage. Named after Vincent Lumsden, one of the college’s first Black students and a Jamaican cricketer, the society celebrates identity, builds community, and provides a platform for representation and welfare. We host social events, networking opportunities, outreach, and our annual formal dinner to connect students, staff, alumni, and prospective applicants. By joining, you’ll be part of a community that affirms belonging, honours heritage, and works to increase access for future generations at Cambridge.
Contact: Amber Morrison
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Card Games Society
We are a fun and inclusive society that plays different card games each week. Come along for some games, snacks and prizes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere!
Contact: Sam Glover
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Revived Emmanuel Dramatics Society (REDS)
REDS supports theatrical endeavours both in college and beyond - we know that the world of Cambridge theatre can seem intimidating so we aim to be a more welcoming and low-stakes route in for both techies and actors! REDS aims to put on multiple productions in college throughout the year and support new writing through play readings.
Contact: Cecily Chitty
Music
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Chapel Choir
Emmanuel has an extremely active musical life, in which choral music plays a central role.
The Choir sings in the Chapel for the weekly Choral Eucharist & Evensong during Term.
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Chamber Music Scheme
Interested in joining a small group of musicians? ECMS offers a chamber music scheme that fosters small ensembles of any instrument combination and stylistic focus.
All you need to do is sign-up and we will connect you with people that have similar musical preferences, whether that is a string quartet, pop/rock band, bassoon octet or an a capella group!
Rehearsals, pieces and rehearsal spaces are to be organised by the musicians, however ECMS can provide guidance to those who are struggling. We are also keen to run a masterclass scheme whereby ensembles may receive feedback on their performances by experienced musicians of ECMS.
Groups will also be given the opportunity to perform in the music society’s end of term concerts that take place in the Queen’s Building Lecture Theatre!
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Emma Jazz
Emma Jazz is an auditioned jazz band playing mainly funk and pop arrangements.
We have performed at many events in Cambridge including May Balls and are looking for more gigs right now. If you want a band at your event to get people singing along and on the dance floor, please get in touch!
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Big Band
Emma big band is a medium sized ensemble playing a mix of classic big band pieces and more modern covers.
We are non-auditioned and have trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, euphoniums, piano, drums and bass. However, we are open to other instruments that could fit!
We rehearse once a week, usually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Some of our previous pieces include: Pick up the pieces, Birdland, and Bad Guy by Billie Eilish. We are open to members of any college!
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Chorus
Want to sing? The ECMS Chorus is a non-auditioned Emmanuel College choir, with spaces open to anyone of any musical ability!
Particularly welcome are those who haven’t had any singing experience in the past - the relaxed nature of rehearsals provides a great opportunity to get involved in a musical group for the first time.
We cover all types of music ranging from film scores to popular classics; repertoire we have covered in the past includes songs such as ‘Valentine’, ‘When She Loved Me’ from Toy Story 2, ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’, ‘White Christmas’ and much more…
Rehearsals run weekly every Monday evening in the college Chapel, aiming towards a final performance in an ECMS concert at the end of each term. Come along for some good vibes and fun music making!
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Central Colleges Orchestra
Just want to make music?
CCO is a new orchestra which is open, unauditioned and a welcoming space for students at any college but particularly Emma, Downing, Pembroke, Selwyn, John’s, and Trinity. We have regular performances at Emmanuel and elsewhere in Cambridge.
New Clubs & Societies
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Any Emmanuel student (JCR or MCR) can start a society at any time.
All societies must be open to both JCR and MCR members.
ECSU does not fund curricular societies unless events are open to all students (e.g. public talks, not tripos-only socials).
To strengthen funding applications, societies should show active engagement — e.g. attending the Freshers’ Fair, posting on social media, advertising events, and holding regular open meetings.
Societies must be free to join. If you charge membership fees (“subs”), you won’t be eligible for ECSU funding.
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Organise your committee – decide on key roles (e.g. President, Secretary, Treasurer).
Register your society –
a) complete the Society Registration Form(2025/26). This form is emailed termly via emma-updates and available on the ECSU Instagram Linktree.
b) To add your new club, society or music ensemble to this directory, you can registere here.
Note: Registration is required to book rooms in college.
Start running events!
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Members of the JCR may use the new JCR room in the Queen’s Building for any society event without making a booking through college. MCR members may do the same with the new MCR room in Furness Lodge. Please ensure any rubbish is removed from these rooms, and they are left clean and tidy for other students.
Use of the JCR or MCR rooms is subject to them being free at the time you intend to host your event – and students using the common rooms will not be compelled to vacate for the purposes of society events. If you have any questions about these rooms, please contact the JCR or MCR presidents.
Any food or drink consumed in college rooms must be supplied by the catering department. If you would like to book catering this can be done at the same time as your room booking (you can find price lists on the intranet in the ‘rooms and facilities’ tab).
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If You Want ECSU Funding
Complete registration (see above).
Open a society bank account – ECSU cannot transfer funds to personal accounts. (Metro Bank on Christ’s Lane is recommended.)
Apply for funding – once per term, the ECSU Treasurer will circulate a form.
Include an itemised, costed list of planned expenses.
ECSU prioritises essential costs (e.g. equipment, materials) over non-essentials (e.g. food, socials).
Wait for allocations – the Treasurer will inform you of your approved funding. You can then start your society’s activities using your funds.
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Music Funding
The college’s Burnaby and Jameson Funds offer awards to undergraduate or postgraduate students (studying any subject) to assist with the cost of instrumental and singing lessons taken in Cambridge or elsewhere, during term or in vacations. Grants typically range from £50 to £250. Preference is normally given to those who can demonstrate involvement in the musical life of the College or University, but that is not a prerequisite and all are encouraged to apply. Applications are considered by the Burnaby Committee once a year, at the end of Michaelmas Term. The deadline usually in late November.
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