competitive standard containing the 2nd XV and development squads for large town clubs such as Canterbury, Sidcup and Dover. Both the 3rd XV and 4th XV, under the stewardship of Sam Cross and Jon Gibson, are involved in the well managed Kent Metropolitan Leagues and are also performing admirably, fulfilling fixtures and enjoying their rugby. The veterans play Purley John Fisher in the semi-final of the Evergreen Cup and many thanks goes to Fabrice Bollet for all his efforts in persuading and rounding up senior current and past players in order to get a side out for these Sunday fixtures. On Boxing Day Charlie Southern gathered together an attractive young squad to continue the domination of this ancient regular fixture with Old Whitgiftians with a solid win. With an eye to the future, Roger Looker has been looking very closely at ensuring we fully benefit from our very close ties with the school and the hard work invested in growing the minis section. A large number of rugby players leave Dulwich every summer and we are keen to have as many as possible making their way up to Dulwich Common as senior players. Roger is planning to have more resource dedicated to supporting and communicating with the boys that leave the school and want to continue playing rugby. This starts with them as school leavers but also as they progress through university and then into their working lives. Much emphasis at the OAs is therefore being put upon having the right people involved specifically with the u18s section of the minis and the u21s section of the senior club. Recent successful products of the Club include Thomas Bellak (17) who was in the England u18 Squad to play Wales. The Northcote-Green brothers, Sam (19) and Max (17), have both played for the OAs and have been involved in the England Junior setup. Josh Elliot is another former England u18 who has played for both our u21s and the senior club. We are keen to not only remain a key introduction to senior rugby for first class players as they leave Dulwich – a long tradition of the OAs that in the past has included the development of both Easter brothers, Sam Blythe
and Nick Lloyd – but to continue to establish strong sporting links within the local community. Looking to the longer term, challenges do remain – in particular with regards to the drainage and potential relaying of the playing fields. This will require significant investment and is something that we can no longer ignore. Recent developments in how the Club is run have given an excellent basis for this type of organised fundraising and long- term planning. Siva Pillay has recently taken over as treasurer and is slowly but surely dragging us into the 21st century in terms of administration. Alongside this we have an active social committee, headed-up by Mark Moore, who very successfully organise major fundraising and charity events such as the biannual summer ball. The future is looking bright and hopefully promotion for the 1st XV into London 2 this season will be further proof of our progress. Please be aware that we do have pre-match buffets before every 1st XV home league fixture and all are welcome. 2011 was a mixed year. It became increasingly obvious that we needed more younger members, and that no longer did a number of middle aged OAs have their own boats which could be used, as in the past, for rallies and the Sail Training Week. This was the ‘down side’. On the ‘upside’ we enjoyed wonderful support from the Alleyn Club, Friends of Dulwich and the arrival of music teacher, Jemima Lofts. She is passionately interested in sailing and galvanised a number of boys and parents so that we were able to charter three boats in addition to two private boats and take twenty boys on the Sail Training Week. The two private boats were owned by our Commodore, Jerry Saville, and Tony Gaster, a recently retired OA who volunteered his boat – a great and welcome asset. All in all, it made the 2011 Sail Training Week a truly memorable one. Dates for 2012 are Sunday 15 to Friday 20 July. At our AGM and lunch we were able to welcome the Master, Dr Joseph Spence, and his wife, and their presence was much appreciated. In May Jerry Saville offered his boat for a Solent weekend cruise, and several younger OAs took advantage and enjoyed a reunion of their days at school when they participated in the Sail Training Week. This experiment will be repeated this year with two boats, the other being Tony Gaster’s, at the end of April. The social side continues, with our recent AGM and winter lunch, the Commodore’s Lunch on Saturday 16 June at Jonas Jaanimagi (83-90) Alleynian Sailing Society
13 Clubs & Societies
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