Sports

In this section...

• Sports Facilities within College
• The Equipment Store
• Outdoor Games
• Information on Scudamore's Punt Hire Scheme
• The Griffins Club for members who have represented the College.

List of sports clubs

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Athletics Club & Cross Country

Downing Athletics is one of the societies involving least commitment, with just two major events per year. Athletes of all levels are warmly welcomed and needed to help Downing regain both the men’s and women’s championship titles, after winning in 2009. Weekly training can be organised through the Cambridge University Athletics Club. In cross country we aim to improve on 2nd last year and take victory. Cross Country training is organised by Cambridge University Hare and Hounds on a weekly basis.
Contact:
Men's: Chris Bannon (camb3)
Women's: Polly Keen (phrk2)
Cross Country: Simon Gilbert (smg49)

Badminton

The badminton club trains 3 times a week at the Leys School, just around the corner from Downing. Our 1st Mens and Womens Team both play to a high standard in the college league, which operates throughout Michaelmas and Lent terms, but we also have other teams for those who are just starting out, and we have an open session once a week for those who are just looking to have a knock.
Contact:
Mens' Firsts: Alex Gillespie (arg51)
Mens' Seconds: Jason Mann (jm650)
Womens': Vickie Braithwaite (vb287)

Basketball

Downing basketball team is one of the leading teams for the last 5 years in the Cambridge University College league. This year (2010) we secured the championship and last year we won the cuppers competition. Although we are highly competitive the main goal is to enjoy the game and be part of a good spirited team.

Boat Club

It has been said that no Cambridge experience is complete without trying rowing, and there could be no better place to attempt it than at Downing. With a relaxed but focused attitude Downing manages to be one of the best boat clubs on the river. The boat club caters for a wide range of abilities. Most of the current crews had never rowed before coming to Cambridge. It is also just a great way to stay fit and take part in a number of social events throughout the year. Downing usually enters two men’s and women’s crews into a range of competitions throughout the year including the Bumps competitions, held at the end of term and like no other competition on the Cam. Having just finished renovation work the boat club boasts some of the best facilities on the river.
Contact:
Captain of Boats: Craig Sawyer
Men’s Captain: Rob Clarke
Women’s Captain: Rosemary Stefaniuk
Lower Boats Captains: Zara Goozee, Niki Bunch, Simon Holroyd, Francesca Tupling (lbcs@ downingboatclub.co.uk)
Website

Cricket

Cricket at Downing is a growing sport with more and more people playing every year. We have built a good squad and now are looking to inject some new blood in to the team. There are generally pre-season nets at the Fenner’s Cricket Facility from January and some more during the season. Cuppers has increased its league size to maximise the amount of cricket that is played by each college. Matches are Twenty20 format and great fun.
Contact:
Mens' team: Tristram Moody (tiam2)

Football

Men’s football is one of Downing’s most popular and successful sports. With three teams playing every weekend, players of all abilities are welcome, and everyone should regularly get a game. The men’s 1st XI are currently Division 1 champions for the past two years running as well as being runners up in the cup last year; while over the past two years the 2nd XI (Division 4) and 3rd XI (Division 6) have between them seen a promotion, two cup finals and a semi-final. The women’s team has also seen success on the pitches with promotion to Division 2 a year ago and a successful season solidifying that promotion with a strong mid-table finish last year. It should be stressed that no experience is necessary, boundless enthusiasm is however encouraged. As well as success on the pitch the football club also prides itself on its strong social scene off it. Regular societal events are organised weekly over the course of the year culminating in the Annual Football Dinner to celebrate the successes of the respective teams over the course of the season, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Contact:
Mens' firsts: Josh McEvoy (jsm73)
Mens' Seconds: Tom Lloyd (tpl27)
Mens' Thirds: Dan Gandhi (dg356)
Womens' team: Helen Picot (hap34)

Hockey

Hockey at Downing is a fun way to socialise, as well as a great way to keep fit and de-stress from Cambridge life. We meet once a week for training at the Leys School (but don’t worry, it’s not at all strenuous and often followed by ‘warmdown drinks’). There are three teams; mens, womens and mixed, they play once a week, often on Sundays, with some mid-week games. Players are of many abilities - ranging from uni players to first time beginners, so even if you’ve never played you’ll easily fit in. Come along and bring your A-Game!
Contact:
Mens' team: Sandy Shanklin (as2041)
Womens' team: Pip McClure (pm440) and Hattie Gibson (hg303)

 

Lacrosse

We have one mixed Lacrosse team in Downing which involves very little commitment and welcomes players of all ability including complete beginners. We train and have matches weekly, usually at the weekend, and there is a very relaxed sociable atmosphere.
Contact: Aarthy Uthayakumar (au226)

Netball

If you’re into netball you have definitely picked the right College. Downing has two ladies and two mixed netball teams, all of which are extremely successful and amongst the strongest teams in the university. It is taken seriously enough to play at a high standard but there is also a very friendly atmosphere and it is a great way to meet other members of the College. There are matches and training every weekend and anyone of any standard is more than welcome to get involved-the more players the better!
Contact:
Mixed Firsts: Philippa Geering (pg361)
Mixed Seconds: Emma Jenkins (elj31)
Women's Firsts: Philippa Geering (pg361)
Women's Seconds: Sian Dunn (sfd30)

Rugby

DCRUFC is in the first division of the College leagues and is renowned throughout the university as one of the strongest sides, finishing in the top four for 20 consecutive years. Last year, we achieved our highest ever accolades – runners up in the league and winners of the Plate Final cup competition. Training takes place several times a week, mainly on Sunday mornings, with matches on Tuesday afternoons. Downing is also known for its social side off the pitch. Recent tours have been to Malta, Portugal and Barbados.
Contact:
Men's captain: Keith Hagyard (kgh24)
Men's Vice-Captain: Steve Townend (st489)
Secretary: Dan Addis (da332)

Squash

We enter inter-college competitions with 1st and 2nd teams. Players (men and women) are of all abilities, from beginners to those with years of experience. We have free access to local courts (some of the best in Cambridge).
Contact:
Mens' team: Jack Lawrence-Jones (jl584)
Womens' team: Ameera Patel (ap531)
Website

Page last updated on 24 Feb 11 (jsh63)