Veteran Graduates Head Back To The Pitch To Kick It With Current Students
20 May 2013
I absolutely can't wait. The 'Old Boys' event is one of the best weekends of the year. I'm looking forward to getting on the pitch, seeing everyone and getting stuck in!
”'Old Boy' Derby Graduate, Thomas Cowley.
Over 200 students from past and present are set to return to Derby this bank holiday weekend (Sat 25 - Sun 26 May) to battle it out in a host of sporting events.
The 'Old Boys' and girls' weekend, which is supported by the University's Student Union, Alumni Relations team and Walkabout bar, will see veteran scholars take on current students in a series of sports including hockey, netball, football, rugby and cricket.
The 'Old Boys' will be facing stiff competition this year against Team Derby's strongest squad to date, following a string of victories at recent events including two wins at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships earlier this year.
Returning to the pitch will be Royal Marine Commando Thomas Cowley, who graduated from the BA (Hons) Sport Studies degree in 2006.
After finishing University, and prior to joining the Marines, rugby enthusiast Thomas competed semi-professionally for Dutch side Hilversum, where he helped the team scoop two national championship victories. Between seasons, he also played for Associates RUFC in Perth, Australia.
Thomas said: "I absolutely can't wait. The 'Old Boys' event is one of the best weekends of the year. I'm looking forward to getting on the pitch, seeing everyone and getting stuck in!"
James Ogden, BA (Hons) Marketing and Brand Management graduate and 'Old Boys' event organiser, added: "We are all proud to have represented the University back when we were students at Derby and the reunion enables us to return en masseto our old haunts.
"We've got plenty of fond sporting memories to reminisce about and it's great to come together to take on the current University teams. It's also a fantastic opportunity to meet final year students and welcome them personally to the 'Old Boys' network for next year and beyond."
Team Derby, the University's sports division, focuses on the delivery of sport in Derby and provides students, staff and members of the public with the opportunity to get involved in a range of sports opportunities and fitness activity.
Ollie Shearer, Sports Development Manager at the University, added: "With the current sports teams being part of the most successful group of students we have ever had. The 'Old Boys' will have to rise to the challenge and show that experience counts.
"We look forward to welcoming back our past students and hope they too can benefit from the University's investment in sport and feel that they are part of Team Derby. We are all working together to become a successful sporting University."
For more information about this event, search 'Old Boys weekend' on Facebook, or to find out more about what our graduates are doing now, visit www.derby.ac.uk/alumni
