MICHAELMAS 2015 New Director for Sport appointed From the President We are pleased to report the appointment of Nick Brooking to the Gentlemen Hawks, new post of Director of Sport for the University, with effect from During my time in January 2016. This marks another significant step in the realisation Cambridge, I have of the Sports Review. been indebted to the Nick writes: role the Hawks’ Club “I am delighted to have been appointed as Director of Sport at the has played as the University of Cambridge and recognise this as a great responsibility supportive core for athletes in Cambridge. as well as an exciting opportunity. It unites sportsmen University sport continues to develop at a fast pace so, in addition to from diverse backgrounds, who all hold common the challenge of meeting growing expectations around facilities, principles that have been shaped by sport. It is truly competitive and performance sport, there is opportunity for greater a great honour to lead the Hawks’ Club this year, promotion of the wider aspects of recreational sport for health, and I really hope to affirm the Club’s international educational and social benefits. reputation and aspirations. Cambridge students go on to be hugely influential in education, health, commerce and politics so As President, I have the privilege of working with the ensuring they have a positive experience of the value of sport and physical activity, whatever their level committee on several innovative projects for the of participation, will have a wider impact for future generations. Club. Members will shortly be able to benefit from a I am joining Cambridge from my post as Director of Sport at the University of Hertfordshire where I have new website, which has the potential to transform been part of a great period of investment in campus development and the development of sport in terms the Club by both making it more functional for of facilities, activities and programmes. Our Active Students programme, which is very much a social residents and showcasing the Club on an sport initiative, has won national awards from the Guardian and UK Active and, at the other end of the international platform. A particularly exciting scale, I am delighted that we have 4 sports playing in BUCS Premier leagues this season. development for the Club is the introduction of the I am one of two representatives of Higher Education on the Sport England TASS Management Group. ‘Hawks Access to Sport’ initiative, which involves The Talented Athlete Management Scheme provides athletes in education who are selected by their working with schools from the local area to teach sport governing body, with a tailored package of Core Services including strength & conditioning, students the benefits of sport. Finally, we aim to education & lifestyle support, physiotherapy, sport psychology, nutrition and sports medicine. It aims to uphold the successes of last year’s committee, in help athletes achieve their potential in both their sporting and education pathways. particular, the birth of ‘The Bluebird’, the University’s first sporting newspaper. I am also a Trustee of Saracens Sports Foundation, Executive Board member of the Herts Sports Partnership and Chair of the Herts Sport and Wellbeing Foundation. Our main upcoming event is The Charity Ball, which will be held on 7th November at the Cambridge My main sport was rugby and I was fortunate to have represented England Colleges while studying. I Union. We will once again be supporting the charity then played and coached at my local club, Hertford RFC, until a few years ago. I am a poor golfer, a fair ‘Right to Play’, an inspiring organisation dedicated weather sailor and now admit to being more of a supporter of other people, including my teenage to providing disadvantaged children with essential children, who are far better at sport than I ever was! I do try to get to the gym two or three times a week life skills through the use of sport. Tickets will be in an effort to maintain some aspects of a healthy lifestyle.” available on the new Hawks’ Club website We wish Nick every success in his new role. (www.thehawksclub.co.uk). I hope to see many members there. Don’t forget to book your place at the London Dinner Please contact me if you have any ideas or queries; it is always great to hear from our members. The London Dinnner this year, as ever the eve of the Varsity Match, is Email: [email protected] on Wednesdaty 9th December, 7.00 for 8.00pm. Held in the sumptuous surroundings of the Savoy Hotel, this is the annual event that brings Alternatively, you can keep up to date via Facebook together Hawks from all over, and of every age. Don’t miss it. (facebook.com/thehawksclub) and Twitter (@thehawksclub). The Chairman this year is Chris Dalley (CUBC and Queens’) and the Guest of Honour is Jeremy “Rass” Randall, President of Leander. For GDBO further details see overleaf. Zaamin Hussain Applications for tickets are enclosed with this publication, or you can Hawks’ Club President 2015-2016 apply online at www.hawksdinner.com. While you’re at your computer Jesus College, Athletics don’t forget to check and update your details. The Savoy - the place to be on 9th December! Tony Lemons retires The Chairman this year is Chris Dalley (Queens’ 1967). Chris rowed in Article by Francis Wray (Boxing , Cricket , 1969) Goldie in his first year, then joined a successful Queens’ crew to bump Head of the Mays, finally winning a Blue in 1970 (won by 3½ Tony Lemons, Director of lengths). He gained two GB vests and then retired to pursue a career in Physical Education and Sport at the University of engineering. Cambridge, retired at the Returning to the river in 1990, Chris coached several Colleges on both end of September 2015 the Cam and Isis. He was a founder member and sometime Hon after 32 years in that role. Treasurer of Crabtree Boat Club, CUBC’s London-based alumni club, He has made an out- and in 1995 he conceived and established the Veterans’ Boat standing contribution to Race. Chris joined CUBC’s Executive Committee becoming Chairman sport at Cambridge over from 2006-10. the years and is well He is a Trustee of the Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust which aspires to build a rowing course near known to many Hawks. Waterbeach; is Hon Secretary of Leander Club, and is helping to raise funds for the new University The new sports centre in Boat House at Ely. West Cambridge is testi- mony to his vision, dedi- Jeremy “Rass” Randall cation and initiative. Tony is a Fellow of Our Guest of Honour for the evening is Jeremy “Rass” Randall. Rass is Hughes Hall. Prior to his currently President of Leander and immediate Past Master of the Company appointment at Cambridge in 1983, he held lecture- of Watermen & Lightermen. He didn’t start rowing until University but went ships at the University of Liverpool, the University of on to become President of Reading University Boat Club. Edinburgh and was a Fellow and visiting lecturer at the He was recruited into Leander’s “Cadet” programme and in 1975 won the National Institute of Sports in Paris. In June 2013, he Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley in a record time that stood for 20 was awarded an MBE for Services to University Sport. years. While Vice-Captain of Leander he joined the International He has held a number of national and international Committee of the ARA, then British Rowing’s national body, and for three positions including Vice President University Commis- years managed the logistics for the GB Rowing Team. sion for Sport and Culture in the European Community, In the 1980’s he was a central figure in the revolution that led to Leander’s Chairman of the British Student Sports Federation, revival and subsequent flourishing. He has served as Hon. Secretary, Hon Chef de Mission of the British Student Teams for the Treasurer, and Chairman, before being elected President in 2013. World Student Games 1987-1989, Organising Commit- Rass’s strong connection with the river drew him to the Company of tee – XVI Universiade 1991 and was Governor of the Watermen & Lightermen. He was privileged to be Master in 2014/15, the years in which the Company Eastern Region Sports Aid Foundation. He has been a celebrated its 500th anniversary and the 300th anniversary of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race, Councillor and Board Member of the British Lawn understood to be the oldest continuously run sporting race in the world. Tennis Association Ltd. and a Trustee Director of the Tennis Foundation. He has served on a number of After a career in the wine business Rass now devotes most of his energy to the charitable sector. He sports performance and excellence working parties still rows, usually wedged between two old Cambridge Blues, and is a keen shot, motorcyclist and and as a player, coach and administrator has travelled engineer. throughout the world. Tony’s early career was based in Physical Education. The Committee 2015-16 He held senior teaching positions in three state schools and lectured in the Education Department at The 2014-15 Committee changed the rules of election to make it impossible for one sport to “pack” the the University of Liverpool. His research interests at Committee (i.e. have more than 2 representatives of that sport). The result will be a more balanced this time focussed on the school curriculum and sport, representation going into the future. diplomacy and political ideology, publishing on sport in the former East Germany and Cuba.