2014 03 CONTENTS PERFORMANCE University Sport, Awards and Elite Athletes 02 Varsity Challenge 20 University Sport by the Numbers 21 ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL 2014 SPORTS Representative Sport Results 22 Chairman’s and Director’s Report 03 Blues and Sports Awards 24 01 Distinguished Service Award 24 HIGHLIGHTS OF MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY SPORT 2014 Elite Athlete Program 25 Outstanding Individual Results 28 Governor of Victoria Opens the Ernie Cropley Pavilion 05 National Benchmarking has University Of Melbourne Leading for Participation 05 04 University Athletes Represent Australia at the 2014 CLUBS Sochi Winter Olympics 06 Achievements, Milestones and Results Australian Boat Race 06 Inaugural Varsity Challenge 07 Competitive Clubs 36 Record-Breaking Year for University Football 07 Instructional Clubs 53 Melbourne University Lightning Club Formed 08 Recreational Clubs 56 Orientation and Big Play Day 08 Rugby Young Achiever Award 09 05 Alex Rowe Equals 46 Year-Old Australian Record 09 FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES Dylan Alcott Wins British Open 10 Planning and Renovations, Usage and Finance 40th Anniversary of Australia’s First World Rowing Championship Gold Medal 10 Facilities 63 Gillon McLachlan Named AFL CEO 10 Maintenance 64 Richard Telford Inducted into Sports Australia Hall of Fame 10 Finance 64 Sports Foundation 64 02 PARTICIPATION 06 College, Campus, Community and Fitness Programs PEOPLE, PARTNERS AND DONORS Supporting Melbourne University Sport College Sport 13 Campus Sport 14 Strategic Plan for Sport 68 Community Sport 15 MU Sport Team 69 Fitness Services 16 MU Sport Board 70 Aquatics 17 History of Sport at the University of Melbourne 72 Group Fitness 18 Donor Acknowledgement 73 Vale Frank Henagan 74 Supporters and Preferred Suppliers 74 Give to Sport 75 Cover: The College Dash at the opening of the Ernie Cropley Pavilion. It is with great pleasure I am able to present This year, the Board and staff have engaged CHAIRMAN’S the 2014 Annual Report and, after almost six our stakeholders in considering the future years as Chairman of the Board, my last. challenges and opportunities for Sport at the University in preparation for the next REPORT My time with the Board has been an Strategic Plan for Sport. We have achieved exciting period for Sport at the University much over the last six years but important commencing in 2009 with the development new themes are emerging about the role 03 and endorsement of ‘The University of sport plays in leadership and also in Melbourne Strategic Plan for Sport, developing esprit de corps across the REPORT ANNUAL 2014 SPORTS 2010–2015’. The Plan contained the bold University community. vision to become the leading sporting University in the country for performance, Finally, I would like to thank my fellow participation and quality of facilities. Board members, MU Sport staff and our dedicated volunteers and coaches for their During a period of great uncertainty in fantastic efforts in 2014, and also express my the higher education sector, Sport at the appreciation for the continued support of the University has continued to prosper, and University Senior Management Group. I have this Report highlights and celebrates the enjoyed my time as Chair of the Board and I many achievements of our student athletes, can leave confident that Sport is in good hands. sporting teams and clubs. The Report also I wish the incoming Chair well for the future. outlines the impressive and growing range of programs that encourage students and I hope that you find this Report staff to engage in regular physical activity. both informative and entertaining. The University is now proudly the leading Group of Eight University for the level of student participation. Geoff Rees Chairman It is with great pleasure and satisfaction • Property and Campus Services for DIRECTOR’S that I reflect on the achievements of Sport, their support for the development and fitness and recreation at the University maintenance of the University’s sports during 2014. The Annual Report illustrates and fitness facilities; REPORT what was another outstanding year, and I would like to acknowledge the many people • Colleagues across the University, and organisations dedicated to improving the MUSUL and the residential colleges opportunities for students at the University. for their collaboration and commitment They include: to improving the student experience; • Club committees, coaches, and support • Executive Director of Engagement, Mr staff who ensure clubs are viable and Adrian Collette, and the University Senior successful; Executive for their continued support and recognition of the contribution that Sport, • Sporting alumni who generously fitness and recreation makes to the support clubs, scholarships and University; and sports capital projects; • Staff at Melbourne University Sport and • Student athletes, coaches and team members of the Board, in particular, the managers who represent the University very dedicated Chair Mr Geoff Rees who, and their county at regional, national alas, will move on in early 2015 after six and international university sporting stellar years in the role. competitions; I would finally like to acknowledge the • Staff and Board at Australian University students and staff at the University who Sport, and fellow university sporting continue to represent the University with bodies, who continue to collaborate for pride, supporting our activities in ever- the good of the university sport industry increasing numbers and providing us despite fierce on-field rivalries; with important feedback. • Blues Advisory Committee and the Sports Scholarships Committee; Tim Lee • Cox Architects, builders Kane Director of Sport Constructions and the numerous contractors – in particular, Project Manager Ms Emily Dixon – who did an amazing job in developing the Ernie Cropley Pavilion; 2014 HIGHLIGHTS Elite Athlete Katya Crema represented Australia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. HIGHLIGHTS IN A YEAR OF MANY HIGHLIGHTS, THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE MORE NOTABLE MOMENTS FOR SPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE IN 2014. The University’s new sports pavilion – GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA OPENS Ernie Cropley Pavilion – officially opened 05 on 15 September 2014 at a ceremony with THE ERNIE CROPLEY PAVILION the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable HIGHLIGHTS Alex Chernov AC QC. The $6.7 million project received $1.3 million in philanthropic support including a donor who matched gifts on a dollar-for- dollar basis. Cox Architects, an Australian firm with particular expertise in sports architecture, was responsible for the design. Affectionately known as ‘The Pavvy’, this iconic building has been a significant landmark on campus for more than 160 years as the home of football, cricket and baseball. It was last upgraded more than 50 years ago following a fire that razed the entire structure, except for the turret, which has been restored in the new building design. The Pavilion’s new facilities are designed to accommodate the high levels of performance and competition associated with University teams and clubs. (L–R) Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis, Director of Sport Tim Lee, Governor of Victoria the Hon. Alex Chernov AC, QC and Chancellor Elizabeth Alexander The Pavilion bears the name of Ernie AM at the opening of the Ernie Cropley Pavilion. Cropley in recognition of Cropley’s services to the University for over 50 years as head curator of the University’s grounds and mentor to generations of students. The University’s commitment to sport was NATIONAL recognised as part of a new Australia-wide BENCHMARKING benchmarking study. The University of South Australia’s Centre HAS UNIVERSITY OF for Tourism and Management completed the first National University Sport Benchmarking MELBOURNE LEADING Project. The highest ranking of the Group of Eight Universities for sporting participation FOR PARTICIPATION was The University of Melbourne for 2013, with 400,000 opportunities for fitness, sport, recreation and club activities offered to students during the year. Students supporting the Melbourne University team at Varsity Challenge. UNIVERSITY ATHLETES REPRESENT AUSTRALIA AT THE 2014 SOCHI WINTER OLYMPICS Five alumni and students from the University represented Australia at the Sochi Winter Elite Athlete Anton Grimus Olympics in Russia in February 2014. 2014 Winter Olympics Ski Cross Katya Crema, Anton Grimus, Brodie athlete at Sochi, Russia. Summers, Mitch Gourley and Cameron Rahles-Rahbula were part of a 56-athlete 06 squad, the largest Australia has sent to a Winter Games. HIGHLIGHTS Anton Grimus is a Masters of Engineering student who competed in ski cross. Brodie Summers is an Environments student who competed in moguls. Mitch Gourley is studying Commerce and competed in all five para-alpine events. Cameron Rhales-Rabula is a Physiotherapy graduate who made Sochi his fourth Winter Olympics. Katya Crema is a Masters of Property student who competed in the ski cross event. Unfortunately, Rhales-Rabula did not compete in any events at Sochi due to injuries received prior to the Games. He carried the Australian flag during the Paralympic opening ceremony. AUSTRALIAN BOAT RACE The Womens Eight crew from the University claimed their sixth consecutive Australian Boat Race title, comprehensively out-rowing the University of Sydney on Sydney Harbour on 26 October 2014. Lead by Captain Jennifer Cleary, the Womens Eight got off to a strong start and were never headed as they rowed into Darling Harbour a full 28 seconds in front of their rivals to claim the