Field Sports Campaign Launch Update

On 28 April 2010 the Master, Professor Chris Dobson, launched the St John’s College Field Sports Campaign at One Great George Street, London. All Johnians who played or contributed to field sports were invited to attend the drinks reception to meet old teammates and hear more about the College’s plans to secure this vital aspect of College life. The Master explained that thanks to the incredible generosity of a British Foundation, which has pledged £1 million to match donations made to Field Sports, the College has been able to establish a new fund which will support current sporting activities by funding the upkeep of the grounds and facilities at St John’s.

We would like to thank Ms Joanna Lewis (1984) and Mr Mark McAllister (1976) who kindly acted as ambassadors for the fund and shared some of their memories of St John’s with the assembled guests on the evening.

The response to the event and appeal was well received by Johnians, and we are delighted to report that the fund has now raised approximately £508,000. We would like to thank all those who have so kindly donated to such a worthy cause.

‘Sport was then and still is now a fundamental part of me. Not a day went by then that I didn’t hit, pass or block a ball of some description on the John’s Backs, with Sunday morning netball practice vs the ‘boys in red’ writ large in my memory! It was on the sport fields where I first learnt the skills I use everyday at work, and at home. And it’s these skills – team working, communication, ability to anticipate and think ahead, these ‘employability’ skills, that are so much in need in today’s fast changing workplace.’ Joanna Lewis, 1984

‘I never cease to wonder how fortunate I was to have spent my undergraduate years at John’s – there is no better place to study, to socialise and to enjoy sport. Johnians through the ages have been ‘blessed’ not only in the range and quality of learning at hand at the College and University but in the wonderful sports facilities so close at hand.’ Donald J Smith, 1954

‘The playing fields of our College must be the envy of the University and deserve every support. What distractions they were to me in my day for tennis, soccer, hockey and rugger! … No bus rides into the Cambridgeshire countryside.’ Rev Douglas C Argyle, 1936