Old Dovorian Club Sports and Social Event at Dover College Sunday 17th October 2021

The first positive of the day, of which there was many, was that the weather played its part by remaining dry, although a bit windy and cold at times.

This was the first event that the Old Dovorian Club had held at the College for a number of years. In the past the OD Club would have played against the College, but unfortunately due to the times we live in now, “Contact Sport” between adult teams and school teams are not allowed.

This being the case, we as a club have had to adapt, and as part of this process, the OD Club first held a very successful Cricket match in July this year, which saw a President’s XI team play against a Chairman’s XI team.

As a direct result of this, the OD Club, based on the positive feedback received, put together this OD Club Sports and Social event with the help of the Headmaster, together with College Bursar and his team.

The main focus of this event, was to continue to include all Old Dovorians, their family and friends, as well as the College members of staff, past and present.

The day started off with the “Five a Side” tournament, in which we ended up with three teams, “The XCL’s” led by Joey Woods S04 – 11, The DC Staff, led by Louis Turner Staff 20 -, and finally the “Hanson Devils” led by Jack Hanson (L14 – 20).

The first match kicked off between The XCL team and The Hanson Devils, refereed by Jamie Boyd (M76 – 81), this was somewhat one sided as the XCL’s not only lost their skipper to an old knee injury, but also lost 11 – 0.

The second match got under way between the DC Staff and the Hanson Devils.  Again, the Hanson Devils dominated with a score line that was pretty comprehensive, wining 6 – 3 and definitely showed that youth, as well as skill, prevailed in the end, resulting in a clean sweep of two wins.

This meant that the final game of the tournament, was effectively a play off to decide second and third place, between the DC Staff team against the XCL’s.

This was the closest fought match of the tournament, producing a tight game from start to finish, finishing in a win for the DC Staff team 5 – 4.

After which an amazing BBQ, cooked and served by the catering staff led by the College’s new catering manager Matt. As well as hot refreshments served during the day from the College’s “Horse Box Café”.

The Chairman of the Old Dovorian Club, Robert McAlpin M71 – 76 thanked everyone for coming to this event, particularly as this was the first time the OD Club had put on this type of event, he also thanked the headmaster for allowing the OD Club to use the College facilities, the Bursar and his team, including the Catering Manager and his team for all their efforts in making this event such a success.

The President of the Old Dovorian Club then presented the “Hanson Devils” with their winner’s medals as well as giving Jamie Boyd (M76 – 81) a nice bottle of red wine as a token of the OD Club’s appreciation for refereeing the football matches.

The Netball match between two netball teams comprised of OD’s and members of staff, including three members of staff who had played in the football tournament in the morning.

The general consensus was that they did not appreciate the speed and fitness levels required to play netball, although they did by the end of the match.

Once again, the OD Club were honoured to have Liz Smith Staff (Head of Girls Sport) 07 – 16 umpiring the match, and generally helping to make sure that order was maintained on the pitch.

Also, a big shout out must go to Vicki Squire, who has just joined the Dover College staff as head of Girls Sport, for her support and ensuring that all the netball kit was on hand, as well as playing and doing a spot of umpiring as well.

This was always going to be a close match, and it was good to see that the old Dover College competitive spirit was still alive, as amply shown with a private battle between Kimberley Sterling (D 03– 08; Army) against Lawrence Teeling (Staff; Navy), the jury is out on the winner of this one.

The match was played in good spirit and at a fast pace, with the lead changing between the “Veterans” team and the “Youngsters” team, resulting in the “Veterans” team taking the lead for the final time in the last seconds of the match, just edging it 9 – 8.

After the final whistle, the President of the Old Dovorian Club Margo Mayhew D76 – 81, thanked all who had played and expressed how important it was to the Club and to the girls, to have a female OD presence in sports.  A special mention to Macy Hadler, Tanya Vincent-Tomlinson, Sydney Vanderhoeven and Zoe Vanderhoeven needs to be mentioned, for all their help and support in getting two OD Ladies teams together.

The President had great pleasure in presenting winners’ medals to the winning team, the Chairman of the OD Club, also thanked everyone for their support and taking part in this event, and that the OD Club were now starting to work on holding this event again in October 2022.

He also highlighted that the OD Club would be having an informal social event at the “Refinery” on the Southbank in London on Saturday 13th November, and that the OD Club Cocktail party at the RAF Club in London would be on Friday 28th January 2022.

Finally, the Chairman had great pleasure to present Rupert Hill, who had just retired from the teaching staff after 35 years, a nice bottle of wine as a token of the Club’s appreciation in helping to organize this event and being the OD Club’s liaison with the College.

Afterwards, a few OD’s and members of staff sat on the close chatting about the day and reminisced about their time at the College, drawing to a close a very busy and enjoyable day at Dover College.