Battle of the Blues: Johnians share their Varsity match memories

One of the first women to play rugby for Cambridge University has shared her memories of taking part in the third-ever women’s Varsity team in 1988.

When Karena Vleck (née Ward, 1986) stepped onto the pitch at Twickenham in 1988, she was among the first women to play rugby for Cambridge University.  In a new post for a blog for alumni of St John’s, Karena has shared her memories of the early days of women’s rugby and her observations of its rapid transformation.

Alongside Karena, Johnian Rob Andrew (1982), shares his memories of taking part in three Varsity matches, all of which ended in victory for the Light Blues. In a new video clip, Rob, who went on to earn 70 caps for England as fly-half, talks about the highlights from his Varsity experience.

Karena Vleck on Varsity from Development Office @ StJohnsCam on Vimeo.

Rob Andrew on Varsity from Development Office @ StJohnsCam on Vimeo.

The blog post also announces the release of tickets for a Johnian gathering at this year’s match on 7 December. The 2017 show-down will reveal whether the men can retain the championship after winning in 2016 and if the Women’s team can seize back victory from the Dark Blues.

To read the blog post in full go to: https://medium.com/@stjohnscamalumni/battle-of-the-blues-past-and-present-4973b6fd2a5c

Tickets for the alumni gathering are available via: https://johnian.joh.cam.ac.uk/vm17