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The SPORTS SYNDICATE report to the Council as follows:
1. General
The Sports Syndicate met on five occasions during the academical year with Dr J. R. F. Fairbrother, T, the Vice-Chancellor's Deputy, as Chairman. The Syndicate welcomed Miss Rebecca Wright, TH, and Miss Emily Norton, TH, appointed by the Women's Blues Committee, and Mr Tom Richard, T, Mr Tom Stallard, JE, Mr Thierry Gruslin, T, and Mr Rob Fergus, PEM, appointed by the Blues Committee for 1999-2000. Mr Alan Bird, TH, was appointed junior representative of the Colleges. Mr A. H. Murison and Dr C. J. R. Thorne represented Senior Treasurers of University Clubs. Other senior members representing various University institutions included Dr J. K. M. Moody, K, Dr J. Lasenby, N, Dr H. A. Bulkeley, CTH, Dr J. Burch, N, Dr J. A. Little, CTH, Dr R. E. McConnel, JN, Dr A. Clark, F, Dr R. Hanka, W, with Mr A. D. Lemons, HH, as Secretary.
2. Administrative and research staff
Mr A. D. Lemons continued as Director of Physical Education and Secretary to the Sports Syndicate, with Miss Karen Day as Physical Education Officer and Dr Stephen Kreitzman as Senior Research Associate. Mr A. K. Rodgers joined the Department as Head of Sports Estates and Building Management. Other members of staff included Mrs Barbara Beckett, Chief Secretary, and Mrs Zenobia Tavaria, Clerical Assistant.
3. Funding
The Syndicate received funding under the current arrangements from the Colleges and the University Chest. The Colleges' contribution for 1999-2000 was £2.70 per junior member in residence, which represented an increase of 7p on the previous year. This realized an income of £42,517. The University contribution remained at £31,132. The Syndicate also benefited from interest accruing to this account of £2,457.
The Sport in Cambridge Fund accrued £7,386 including interest during 1999-2000, increasing the Fund to a total of £33,815. The Fund, derived from the University's Licensing Programme under an agreement approved by the Council in 1993, is administered by the Sports Syndicate and is specifically for capital projects.
The Syndicate continue to reserve up to £30,000 as a contribution to the cost of a Site Development Plan and Feasibility Study for the West Cambridge Site commissioned from Arup Associates. It is anticipated that this report will be brought before the University during the Michaelmas Term and will form the basis for the University's decision making on the future provision for University sport on the West Cambridge Site.
The Syndicate have met the University's obligations to the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) and continue to contribute to the part payment of travel to BUSA events. However, the increasing number of universities in membership of BUSA has led to a substantial increase in the number of competitions, and therefore to more opportunities for this University's sports clubs to expand their competition base.
4. Approved University sports clubs
Under Regulation 7(c) of the Regulations of the Sports Syndicate, the Syndicate are charged with maintaining a list of approved University sports clubs. This list for 1999-2000 is published in Appendix 1 for report.
5. Assistance to clubs
The Syndicate's Committee on Grants met on five occasions during the year with Dr H. A. Bulkeley, CTH, as Chairman. Other members of the Committee include all junior members of the Syndicate, with Miss Karen Day as Secretary. The Committee received applications from University sporting clubs and gave a total in recurrent grants of £46,820, in non-recurrent grants of £5,260, and in grants towards those clubs reaching the last 32 and finals of BUSA competitions of £2,701. A full list of grants awarded to clubs is included in Appendix 2. The Syndicate made grants to clubs of £4,013 for use of the facilities at Fenner's Tennis and Cricket Ground under arrangements approved by the Syndicate. The Syndicate remain concerned that the grants made to clubs fell below their genuine needs as detailed in their submissions to the Syndicate's Grants Committee. In order to enable clubs to plan their playing and training commitments based on known financial budgets, the Syndicate approved new arrangements, introduced by the Grants Committee, whereby clubs would apply to the Syndicate for financial support in the Easter Term of the previous year. This has enabled the Grants Committee to make payments to clubs at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.
6. British Universities Sports Association
The Syndicate, acting on behalf of the University sporting clubs of Cambridge, have continued to contribute to the affairs of BUSA. The Syndicate nominated Miss Karen Day and Mr Lemons as Vice-Presidents of BUSA. The Syndicate paid a subscription of £8,031, which represented a per capita payment for a full-time student of 53p.
7. Licensing arrangements
No new licences were agreed during the year, although income and non-cash benefits derived from current licences, specifically associated with University sports clubs, has been maintained with a total cash income for 1999-2000 of £49,850, with additional estimated total non-cash benefits of £30,000. Only a small number of University clubs currently benefit from this income, with the University receiving 15 per cent. Beneficiaries include the nine clubs involved in the former arrangements in the Adpro Scheme, an expansion of areas and benefits from licences granted by CU Rugby Union Football Club and CU Polo Club. The CU Polo Club's trademark in Japan is being opposed and funds have been reserved to cover any costs that might be incurred in defence of the current registration. In this matter the University is receiving considerable support from the British Embassy in Tokyo. This Report does not include figures for any club undertaking private arrangements negotiated outside the scheme approved by the University.
8. Eric Evans Fund
The bequest from the Trustees of the Eric Evans Memorial Fund to establish the Eric Evans Fund produced an interest of £2,593 during 1999-2000, which was made available for awards. The Syndicate appointed Dr J. Burch and Dr J. A. Little to act with the Director of Physical Education as Managers for the Fund. The Managers made awards to: Mr Patrick Aldridge, M, for hockey; Mr Mark Freestone, CHU, for fencing; Miss Heather Greig-Smith, JN, for canoeing; Mr Christopher Haley, JN, for rifle shooting; Miss Jacinta Lawrey, CC, for canoeing/kayaking; Mr Nick Mapp, JE, for cross-country running; Miss Tamara Nancoo, CAI, for hockey; Miss Alexandra Napier, NH, for tennis; Mr Philip Rae, R, for full-bore rifle shooting; Mr Tom Richards, T, for athletics; and Mr Andrew Somers, T, for archery.
9. Annual Report of the Wilberforce Road Sports Ground Management Committee for the year 1999-2000
The Committee of Management of the Wilberforce Road Sports Ground beg leave to report as follows:
The Committee met on one occasion during the year, reporting to the Sports Syndicate, with Dr C. J. R. Thorne as Chairman. Other members of the Committee included:
Chairman
Dr C. J. R. Thorne, CTH
Director of Physical Education (Secretary)
Mr A. D. Lemons, HH
President of CU Athletics Club
Miss Rebecca Wright, TH
Team Captain of Men or Women's CU Athletics Club (not to be the same as President)
Mr Tom Richards, T
Senior Treasurer, CU Athletics Club
Dr C. J. R. Thorne, CTH
Local Athletics
Mr Barry Wallman
Dr Neil Costello
Captain, CU Hare and Hounds Club
Mr Rob Fergus, PEM
Captain, CU Hockey Club
Mr Thierry Gruslin, T
Captain, CU Women's Hockey Club
Miss Rebe Joyner, DOW
Senior Treasurer, CU Hockey Club
Dr R. E. McConnel, JN
Senior Treasurer, CU Women's Hockey Club
Dr S. H. Stobbs, PEM
The academical year 1999-2000 represented the fifth full year of operation of the Wilberforce Road Sports Ground since the opening of the Athletics Track and Pavilion in May 1995. Although operating well below its full potential due to a lack of any floodlighting provision for athletics or hockey, the Sports Ground has continued to increase its activities. The number of individuals and groups, both from within and outside the University, has increased from 1995-96, many attracted by the licensed bar and catering facilities. Access is offered to University staff and their families or individuals outside the University (matriculated students having free access to facilities) taking out seasonal or half-seasonal user cards. Group bookings are reported for each facility below.
The Custodian, Mr Parker, was assisted by Mr Wilson throughout the year. The Department Secretary, Mrs B. Beckett, undertook all bookings and administration.
The track was, throughout the year, the training and competitive base for the University Athletics Club and also the Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club for city members. Many other sporting clubs from different disciplines used the track for training purposes. One of the highlights of the year was the hosting of the East Youth Millennium Games in partnership with the City Council. Groups booking the track at various times throughout the year included:
CU Athletics Club
CU Cross Country Club
CU Colleges Athletics League
CU Falcons Football Club
Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club (regular bookings three times a week)
Long Road Sixth Form College (regular bookings twice a week)
Hills Road Sixth Form College
Achilles Schools
East Anglian League
Eastern Young Athletes League
Southern Men's Athletics League
East Youth Millennium Games
Southern Women's Athletics League
St John's College School
King's College School
Cambridge United Football Club
Eastern Veterans Athletics
Eastern Counties Rugby Union Referees
Cambridge and District Schools Athletic Association
Cambridgeshire Schools Athletic Association
St Mary's School
Jewson Football League Referees
South of England Athletic Association
The Leys School
The synthetic hockey pitch in 1999-2000 continued to operate at close to its optimum capacity. However, more than any other facility, the synthetic pitch suffers from a lack of floodlighting. The potential of this facility would be in excess of twice the current use given such provision. The pitch was predominantly used throughout the year by the University Men's and Women's Hockey Clubs with other groups at various times as follows:
CU Men's and Women's Hockey Clubs
CU College Hockey League
CU Cuppers
Cambridge City Hockey Club (mixed hockey - weekly throughout summer)
St John's College School
Long Road Sixth Form College
Hills Road Sixth Form College
East Anglian Women's Hockey Association
Cambridge Ladies Hockey Club
King's College School
English Hockey (regular coaching courses throughout year)
CU Veterinary School
Newmarket Hockey Club
Anglia Polytechnic University
Camb. U15 Girls Finals
Cambridge South
Eastern Counties Youth
The improved catering and bar facilities have increased the demand for this very attractive facility. The management committee endeavour to maintain a balance between the primary uses of servicing the needs of University sports clubs and providing a venue for sports conferences, seminars, and training days, and the more commercially attractive social functions. It is particularly pleasing to note the success of the use of the facility as part of the University's holiday playscheme during National Playday. Other groups making use of the facilities at various times included:
CU Sports Clubs
The Ospreys Club
The Hawks Dining Club
CU Veterinary School
Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club
Coleridge Community College
Action Research
South of England Athletics Association
Sports Council - Eastern Region
Jewson League Referees meeting
Business Network Association
Christians in Sport
British Dental Association
10. Fenner's Tennis and Cricket Ground
Fenner's Committee
Chairman
Dr C. J. R. Thorne, CTH
Director of Physical Education (Secretary)
Mr A. D. Lemons, HH
Senior Member appointed by CU Cricket Club
Professor K. Siddle, CHU
Senior Member appointed by CU Lawn Tennis Club
Sir Geoffrey Cass, CLH
Senior Member appointed by CU Cricket and Athletics Club Ltd
Dr A. Cosh, Q
1999-2000 marked the second year of operation under the newly-established Fenner's Committee as a Committee of the Sports Syndicate. Mr J. Moden continued as Head Groundskeeper, assisted by Mr S. Lawrie, Deputy Head Groundskeeper, and Mr Adam Butler, a new appointment as Junior Groundskeeper.
Fenner's remains the club base for CU Cricket Club and CU Lawn Tennis Club and, during the Michaelmas Term, for CU Association Football Club and CU Falcons Association Football Club. As such, its first class facilities were used by a number of county teams for tennis and cricket matches and by several professional football clubs whilst playing against the University.
Under new arrangements introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the development of first class cricket, the University was invited to apply, in competition with other universities, to be considered as a University Centre of Cricketing Excellence. CU Cricket Club and Fenner's were honoured to be selected, in partnership with Anglia Polytechnic University, as one of only six such centres in the country. The Centre will come into operation in the autumn of 2000.
During the year the University, in partnership with Hughes Hall, made a successful application for permission to build a College development, an indoor cricket school, and modifications to the cricket pavilion. Subject to funding, it is intended to complete these developments over the next five years. Such facilities will considerably enhance Fenner's as the cricketing centre of excellence in the region.
Other groups using Fenner's cricket facilities during the year included:
CU Cricket Club
CU Crusaders Cricket Club
Cambridge St Giles Cricket Club
Cambridgeshire County Cricket Club
Cambridge Schools U19, U14, U13
Cambridgeshire Schools Final
Sancton Wood School Sports Day
St Colettes School Sports Day
Cowper Griffiths
Grant Thornton
Q103FM charity match
Hobbs Cup Cambs Cricket
11. Physical Education Centre - Fenner's
The Physical Education Centre remains the administrative offices and main central University facility. A substantial redevelopment programme planned in five phases was initiated during the past year. Building works included the re-laying of the main gymnasium floor; access ramps for wheelchairs; and toilets and changing facilities for people with disabilities. A £200,000 investment in a newly designed Fitness Suite has also been completed.
The Fitness Suite, for which there is a charge to all users, has been particularly successful attracting over 2,200 members in its first year. Income to offset the running costs totalled £66,250, drawn from student members, staff members, UCLES/CUP members, partner and family members, and alumni.
Two new positions of Recreational Assistant and Fitness Adviser have been established. Miss Jane Cuthbert and Miss Kate MacKenzie generally supervise membership applications (all applicants undertake self-assessing medical screening) and the maintenance and safety of the Fitness Suite, and offer induction courses and classes in aerobics and circuit training. Three part-time recreational assistants support them.
A detailed analysis of the fitness suite membership is given in Appendix 3.
12. University sports facilities
The Syndicate continued its work on the programme to develop new sporting facilities for the University. Working closely with the University's Estate Management and Building Service, the Syndicate continued with its endeavours to obtain planning permission for the construction of floodlighting for the University athletics track at Wilberforce Road. The local planning authority have now agreed in principle to the University's planning application, subject to further investigation into the design of the lighting scheme and a 106 agreement on the operation of the proposed lighting.
Following a competitive selection process Arup Associates were commissioned to produce a Site Development Plan and Feasibility Study for the provision of University sports facilities in West Cambridge. Work has continued on this project throughout the year and it is anticipated that the results will be brought before committee during the current academical year.
CU Association Football Club
CU Women's Association Football Club
CU Athletics Club
CU Badminton Club
CU Basketball Club
CU Women's Basketball Club
CU Boat Club
CU Women's Boat Club
CU Bowmen Club
CU Boxing Club
CU Canoe Club
CU Cricket Club
CU Women's Cricket Club
CU Cruising Club
CU Cycling Club
CU Eton Fives Club
CU Fencing Club
CU Gliding Club
CU Golf Club
CU Olympic Gymnastics Club
CU Hare and Hounds Club
CU Hockey Club
CU Women's Hockey Club
CU Ice Hockey Club
CU Women's Ice Hockey Club
CU Judo Club
CU Karate Club
CU Korfball Club
CU Lacrosse Club
CU Women's Lacrosse Club
CU Lightweight Rowing Club
CU Modern Pentathlon Club
CU Netball Club
CU Orienteering Club
CU Polo Club
CU Powerlifting Club
CU Rackets Club
CU Real Tennis Club
CU Revolver and Pistol Club
CU Riding Club
CU Rifle Association
CU Rugby Union Football Club
CU Women's Rugby Union Football Club
CU Rugby Fives Club
CU Rugby League Club
CU Ski Club
CU Small Bore Club
CU Squash Rackets Club
CU Women's Squash Rackets Club
CU Swimming and Waterpolo Club
CU Table Tennis Club
CU Lawn Tennis Club
CU Trampoline Club
CU Volleyball Club
Appendices 2 and 3 of this Report are published in PDF format [77Kb]
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Cambridge University Reporter Special, 19 January 2001
Copyright © 2001 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.