The Colours Dinner recognises the exceptional achievements and good character of sporting students

St John’s students Charlie Smith and Zengani Nyirenda were honoured with prizes for their significant contributions to College sport at this year’s Annual General Athletics Club Colours Dinner (known as the Colours Dinner).

Smith, who captains the men’s rugby team, was presented with the Bob Fuller trophy and Nyirenda, captain of the women’s hockey team, was awarded the Jim Williams trophy by Dr Helen Watson, Fellow and Treasurer of the Flamingos - the elite women's sports club at St John's.

The Colours Dinner is held every year and recognises exceptional achievements and good character in the sports women and men of St John’s.

^{Charlie Smith, Dr Helen Watson and Zengani Nyirenda at the Annual General Athletics Club Colours Dinner. Photo credit: Nordin Ćatić}

Under Smith's captaincy St John’s gained back the league title for both the first and second term this year

Men's rugby team captain Charlie Smith has been involved in the College team since he started his undergraduate degree in History. Despite tough matches and injuries this season, St John’s gained back the league title for both the first and second term under Smith's captaincy. His hard work with the rugby team was also responsible for an unprecedented number of new sign-ups this year as well as successes on the pitch.

Smith has worked hard to continue charitable initiatives in the St John's sporting community such as helping to raise £900 with the football team for Movember – an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues. He has also taken steps to create a healthy social environment within the rugby squad by encouraging a large majority of them to participate in positive masculinity workshops organised by the Good Lad Initiative.

^{Students at the dinner. Photo credit: Nordin Ćatić}

As the captain of the women’s hockey team for the last season, Zengani Nyirenda has taken the team to league victory and the semi-finals of Super Cuppers – the annual matches against the top league Oxford Colleges. Nyirenda, a second year Engineering student, has become known for her prowess on the sports field and for her sporting integrity.

Keith Ellis, the College’s Head Groundsman, said Nyirenda’s approach has repeatedly impressed him, describing her as a “true ambassador for St John’s”.

Published: 02/02/19

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