From the 12th of March to the 23rd, Sussex will be competing against Brighton in the 2025 Varsity Series. Varsity is an opportunity for friendly competition between universities, where students participate in a wide variety of sports. This year, Sussex Pole Society members will be competing against Brighton for the first time.
The contestants will be scored on their performances by three judges, one from Sussex, one from Brighton, and one neutral judge. Each performance must include elements of the spin pole (where the pole spins on its own) and a static pole, with participants alternating between them. Contestants will be scored on their confidence, technique, and musicality.
The competition will take place on Sunday, the 16th of March. However, unlike most other varsity sports, spectators are not allowed. In order for pole to be perceived on the same level as other sports, I think that it deserves the same level of attention. Having the opportunity to show up and cheer on your peers is an important part of what makes varsity a fun, community experience, and to deny that seems unfair. Engaging with an audience is a huge part of the experience of performing. Even though the inclusion of a pole in a varsity competition is a step in the right direction, I hope that spectators will be allowed in future years so that people from both universities can cheer on participants.
An Accepting, Safe and Affordable Space For All
Pole is an inclusive sport at its core. In my experience, pole studios are incredibly empowering spaces, accepting all participants to build strength in a fun environment. In school, I dreaded gym class with a passion and never saw myself as an athlete. Attending pole classes while I was doing my undergraduate degree in London was the first time I actually enjoyed exercise and learned it was something that could feel fun.
Sussex Pole Society’s head teacher, Matilda, alongside Quinn and Mya, has taken over Gemini Pole studios – leading Brighton in a queer, sex worker-owned space. “Acknowledging that a lot of stigma from modern pole comes from roots in burlesque and stripping – Sussex Pole Soc is an ode to Pole’s past and invests in its future as an accepting, safe and affordable space for all. A push to recognise its importance alongside other sports is necessary,” says Pole Soc and Gemini Pole teacher Maia.
A Valid Sport
Sussex Pole Society is a wonderful environment. Everyone is cheering each other on and helping one another nail the combo. It’s a fun space with spontaneous dance breaks in between warm-ups, a far different experience than I’ve ever had at a conventional exercise class. It makes working out something I actually look forward to every week, rather than a chore that I dread. When I tell people I do pole, a lot of people tell me that they wish they were strong enough, flexible enough, or brave enough to try it out for themselves, but the pole itself builds those things.
Another article you may enjoy: Society Spotlight: Zumba
The fact that Pole will be participating in varsity for the first time is an exciting step towards Pole being more widely accepted as a valid sport. For me, the beauty of the pole is how broad it is as an art form and as an athletic endeavour. Pole can be sensual, sexual, both, and neither. It can be focused on strength-based moves or a flowy dance routine. It can mean so many things to so many different people. To see it included in varsity shines a light on an unconventional sport that is often stigmatised.
Follow Pole Society on Instagram to see videos of performances, learn more about Pole, and get informed about try-outs to join next term – @sussexpolesoc
If you’re interested in trying pole, Gemini hosts an absolute beginner’s class on Mondays at 6:30. Check out https://www.geminipolestudio.co.uk/ for more information.
Photographed by Thomas Wesley (@thomaswesleyy on Instagram)