Alleyn Club Newsletter 2013

We would like to remind all OAs that prospective members do not need to have rowed whilst at Dulwich, and we have many who came to us having taken up the sport later in life. If any members know anyone in this category who is interested in getting involved, please do put them in touch with the Secretary. Notable OA Rowing Successes Julian Bubb-Humphreys (99-07) was selected for the winning Isis crew that set a new course record in 2012. James Mountain (98-06) is currently trialing for Oxford and was in the winning crew, ‘Spitfire’, at the Varsity Trial Eights in December. Richard Dunley (98-05) reached the semi-finals of the Visitors Challenge Cup at Henley, rowing for London RC. Kit Bennett (95-02) has recently taken up a position coaching the US junior national team, and recently coached the junior women’s squad at the Pan-American Games. Tom Saunders (01-06) Hon Secretary oldalleynianbc @ gmail.com OA Shooting Club 2012 was not without problems and concerns. In some ways the two main problems, namely numbers and weather, seemed out of our control. The club is small in numbers and this is especially difficult to change when target shooting is no longer a sport carried out at the College. The weather is always a concern as we shoot in the open and need to lie in all weathers to shoot. 2012 proved to be one of the wettest in recent history and it was easier to think of the days it was dry for a shoot rather than wet. Our lack of consistent membership meant that, for the first time that I can recall, we had to cancel four shoots as we were unable to field a team. Despite this main niggle and the weather we did still have an enjoyable season and look forward to coaxing more OAs to try the sport of target shooting. In our internal shoots Kit Sturges (52-59) again won the club championship, with David Nicholson (59-67) winning the handicap shoot. Our end of season regular shoot against the Old Albanians resulted in a win for the Old Alleynians by 357.22 to 355.15.

OA Boat Club This year OABC has seen membership grow to over 100 for the first time and the reputation and scope of the club continues to increase. We are also building close links with the College, its Boat Club and the Alleyn Club. As a result of the enthusiasm of our members, we are starting to become firmly established as one of the most active and inclusive OA clubs. Our annual dinner was held at the Worshipful Company of Dyers in the City, with a large turnout of OAs of all vintages. We also welcomed the Master, Dr Joseph Spence, and the coaching team from the College boat club as our guests. The food and drink was, as always, excellent and the evening was rounded off with a rousing rendition of Pueri Alleynenses . We hope to see as many of you as possible at the next dinner.

A reunion for all members was held at Christmas time, with 25 OAs enjoying a curry and a catch- up. We hope this has now become an annual event for anyone who would like to catch up with other OA rowers or meet some of the newest members of our club. A large group of OAs also attended the College Boat Club’s dinner in the Great Hall, and the club presented the College with two trophies to be awarded for rowing excellence in the J14 and junior squads. We were also treated to an excellent speech by ex- Olympian, Sarah Winkless. This year’s Alleynian Invitational Regatta was, as always, an enjoyable event, with a good time had by all. OABC were victorious for the first time in the event’s four-year history, beating St Edward’s by a length. The trophy was presented to the winning crew by OABC President, Pip Bennett (95-00). A very enjoyable after party was held in the boathouse, before the usual sampling of all the delights of Putney later on in the evening. If anyone has any contemporaries who are interested in bringing an alumni crew to race at the AIR, please get in touch with the Regatta Secretary, Tom Saunders (01-06).

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