CLUBS & SOCIETIES
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OA ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL It was another successful year for the Old Alleynian Association Football Club – the biggest sports club exclusively for Dulwich College alumni and amongst the biggest old boys’ football clubs in the country. Our three teams ended their 2024-25 seasons by matching the best-ever league finishes of the previous year, whilst breaking new ground in the cups too. With nearly 100 OAs, most of whom were under 30, we remained an inclusive space for all to connect through shared interests in football and Dulwich College. For the 1s, it was Cameron Kelly’s (04-15) first year as skipper, taking over from club stalwart Andy Moss (04-11). After a slow start of three points from three matches, the side took off – putting together a stunning 16-game winning run. Somehow, this was still only good enough to finish runners up again to Repton, but the 1s have already beaten them twice this season as we aim to go one better in 2025-26… The team also reached a first ever Arthur Dunn Cup Final – the most prestigious fixture in old boys’ football, first staged in 1903. Despite a narrow 1-0 loss to a wily Forest side, it was a brilliant achievement for such a relatively young club and demonstrated fantastic progress. The 2s made it back-to-back league titles under Shahin Rasti’s (00-07) leadership/ cult of personality, retaining their league title with a dramatic final day win at the College vs Eton, to clinch victory by a single point. However, the highlight was yet to come, as the 2s secured the double, winning the Junior League Cup with a professional win against Chigwell. With this success occurring on the same day as the Dunn final, it marked an historic occasion for the club, one that everyone who has played a part in the OAAFC’s progress can be incredibly proud of. As the only 3rd XI side playing so high in the divisions, the 3s are always up against 1st or 2nd XIs but continue to punch above their weight. Fuelled by captain Cole ‘the Dog’ Sullivan’s (04-09) goals, they stormed to third place in Division 3. As ever, they remain the source for the club’s future successes, with so many of the club’s best players having made their introductions and earned their stripes in the 3s. We celebrated the season – and indeed 10 years as a club – with the first, formal end of season awards dinner, held at the College in May. In addition to current regulars, it was brilliant to welcome back former players, teachers and various OAs who have played such pivotal roles in our journey. This is set to be a regular fixture in the calendar, in addition to our regular socials throughout the year. And these days, no year would be complete without a tour – our fourth excursion abroad in as many years. This time 14 lads took to Croatia for five days, playing two teams from the country’s 4th tier. A win (6-5 having been 4-0 down at half time and 5-3 with less than 10 minutes to go) and a defeat (on the fourth day, with only 11 fit players) marked a brilliant return on the pitch, and we played in some truly stunning venues along the Dalmatian coast and in Hvar. As many will know, in April 2025 the club devastatingly lost its lynchpin when our Chairman Josh Lawrence (02-07) passed away after a battle with cancer. It is impossible to adequately do justice to the impact Josh had on the College community and to his beloved football club. It was his enthusiasm, ambition and drive that transformed a small single football team of just 15 or so regulars, into this massive, yet incredibly close-knit club we have today. The OAAFC that Josh fostered, as Club Captain, 1st XI Captain, Secretary, Kitman, Chairman and everything in between, is more than a football club – he created a culture of incredible togetherness, where people socialise and make friends and memories
OA CROSS COUNTRY It rained heavily both to and from the 2025 Wimbledon Common alumni cross country race, but the event itself took place during a sunny break between showers. At least I didn’t have to juggle my camera and umbrella while taking photos! There was an excellent field of nearly 200 runners on the start line to tackle the undulating five-mile course that wends its way across the common. As has been the case in recent years it was dry underfoot (despite the earlier downpour) and the seven OAs, along with the rest of the pack, were soon out of sight. As has been the case for over three decades now, Team Captain Jerry Watson (71-78) once again travelled down from Leeds for the event, which he has supported for over thirty years. He was joined by Steve Georgiadis (74-81) who was the first runner home over the age of 60 in 70th place. They, along with Rob Rider (77-83) 97th and third in the over 60 category, were rewarded for their efforts by a second place overall in the Old Dunstonian Cup (for teams aged over 60). The youth section of the squad was accounted for by first timers Archie Jacob (11-18) in 159thand Jack McHaffie (11-18), 160th. Stalwart Dave Gibson (89-94) came home in 151st. If you want an excuse to get fit over the summer of 2026, do keep an eye on the OA e-bulletins for next year’s date. Trevor Llewelyn
OA BADMINTON The fixture between the College and the OAs is now in its fifth year and last September attracted a record number of OAs with 16 alumni returning to take on students from across a wide range of age groups. The standard of badminton at the College is most impressive, improving rapidly over the last few years, and it was only in the last few games of the round robin competition that the OAs snatched victory from the students.
Trevor Llewelyn
for life, and for that we are eternally lucky. George Edmund (08-15) Secretary OAAFC
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