The Griffins

The Griffins Club is the prestigious Downing College sporting society. It exists to promote the sporting life within college, bring sportspeople together and recognise sporting excellence.

As the umbrella society that encompasses all of the major college sports clubs, the Griffins is the body that allocates and awards College Colours as well as its own membership. College Colours are awarded to those outstanding individuals whose match and competition performances have been at a consistently high level in one of the established college sports. These sports include rowing, rugby football, association football, hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, squash, badminton and athletics.

Membership of the Griffins Club is confirmed by vote once the individual in question has attained eligibility status. To become eligible for membership the sportsperson must have achieved two College Colours, been a College Captain in one of the major sports or achieved a colour, half-blue or full blue at university level. BUSA and international statuses are also recognised by the Club.

The Patron, Senior President, Junior President, Junior Secretary, Junior Treasurer, Senior Vice President, Senior Treasurer, JCR sports officer and the College Captains constitute the Griffins Committee, which is the body that makes all important decisions regarding the Club. The Master and Development Director are ex-officio members.

The Patron is elected for life in recognition of service to Downing College sport. The Senior President is elected on a triennial basis by the Committee from members of the Griffins Club out of residence. The Junior President, Secretary and Treasurer are elected annually from members in statu pupillari by postal ballot. The Senior Vice President and Senior Treasurer are elected annually by the Governing Body of the College.

The Griffins Club hosts three annual events; the Annual Dinner, the Summer Garden Party and an informal cocktails party for members currently at the College. The Annual Dinner, to which all Griffins members past and present are invited, takes place early in the Lent term. It involves a three course dinner, speeches from the Senior and Junior Presidents and presentation of the newly elected officers of the Club. At the Summer Garden Party, which takes place in May Week, Club membership and College Colours are awarded. Both events provide an excellent opportunity for old friends and team-mates to catch up and hear about how sport is progressing at Downing. The cocktail party, though hosted by the Griffins, is not exclusive to members of the Club. It is intended to encourage individuals within the different sports Clubs to get to know one-another and foster a sense of camaraderie between them.

The colours of the Club consist of magenta, light blue and black. Traditional Griffins attire includes the blazer, scarf and tie, which any member is entitled to wear.

The Senior and Junior Presidents encourage all members past and present to attend the functions and support the Griffins wherever possible in order to maintain both affectionate ties with the Club and its stature as a prestigious Cambridge sporting society.