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The year long arrangement, negiotiated between Jane Grenvillle, pro-Vice Chancellor for Students, Brian Cantor, Vice Chancellor and Vanbrugh's Matt Oliver could continue if Grenville sees enough of an influence from the money.
In an interview with The Yorker she said: "I need to see it making a clear impact on University sport at competitive and non-competitive levels by the end of the spring term."
I went to the Sports Centre and was appalled. I know there's a lot of student interest in this.
If at the end of the year this goal is not met each college will be responsible for repaying £500.
Oliver said that this shouldn't happen as long as colleges do everything possible to create a feeling of inclusion, he said: "As long as it is not used for enhancing mainstream sports there will be no need for colleges to repay it."
The main aims are to provide:
Oliver said in his college alone there were around 30 individuals sign-up during Freshers Week for each sport. Grenville said that it aims for "those who are interested to play and not get disheartened."
Grenville said this includes: "an opportunity for those who want to have kickabout".
So that players get to know each other and feel confident in ability rather than turning up at the event on the day.
The review began when Oliver, as newly appointed Chair looked into the costings for his own college after pitching the idea to Cantor and Grenville at their annual meeting.
A survey distributed to students and created by Alcuin Chair Erik O'Connor yielded 300 replies with the most common complaint cited at reducing the "clique" and the majority agreed that an annual charge would be "unacceptable".
Grenville said: "Matt made a very persuasive case...the hard work was down to him, for being enough of a politician to know when to ask, and for doing the leg work afterwards."
She said that the money will be spent on a regular practice: "If a particular practice is not being used colleges will be expected to find another way to spend it."
The proposal is to ensure "inclusivity, involvement and participation in college sport." The idea is to get more people involved in playing sport, not just helping those who already play.
Both Oliver and Grenville were keen to see increased sport impact both collegiate identities, but also social interaction, between years, courses and colleges.
As well as being in her job role Grenville said her interest came from not being particularly sporty herself and: "I went to the Sports Centre and was appalled. I know there's a lot of student interest in this."
She added: "As the University gets bigger we have to have college identities, something more than just your department but smaller than the whole University."
Both agreed that it will impact University sport, Grenville said: "I hope it will mean that college first and second teams are well trained and motivated enough to make a big enough pool for the University teams." She said that concerns from some which said that a free college system will detract from interest in University sport outweighed the positives. "Those who want to play for the University will find a way."
Oliver was full of praise for all those involved: "I'm absolutely thrilled that the University, and particularly Jane Grenville and Brian Cantor have decided to give us this money, and it shows clear communication between them and us. I think it'll make a huge difference to colleges."
He added: "The AU have been tremendously helpful."
The grant came from the Vice Chancellor's Discretionary Fund, the same which recently provided Sky TV for James College.
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