The Rhodes University Athletics Club celebrates its centenary this year. “For any organisation or institution to reach a century of existence is a significant achievement.
The Rhodes University Athletics Club celebrates its centenary this year. “For any organisation or institution to reach a century of existence is a significant achievement.
That the Rhodes University Athletics Club has achieved this, and only five years after the centenary of Rhodes University itself, is a testament to the dedication over the past 100 years of countless club committees and club members, numerous university sports officers, and above all the enduring lure of the sport,” said current club president Michael Irwin.
The club has enjoyed a number of achievements over the past years and they continue to be a popular club and many students sign up on sports evening every year.
“The major plan for the centenary year was to make sure the club functioned as smoothly as possible, that the focus remained on providing a service to the members,” said Irwin.
While the club has retained its original name, the banner encompasses a large variety of sports. Over the years road running, triathlon, duathlon, cross-country, and even biathlons have been added to fall under the umbrella of athletics at Rhodes.
“From the original track activities on the Great Field, to the current track and clubhouse near the Sports Administration building, the club has strived to grow, and to incorporate a broader cross section of disciplines, and athletes,” said Irwin.
The club is well represented at the Two Oceans marathon in Cape Town each year, as well as taking part in many Eastern Province Athletics events throughout the province.
The club boasts many provincial and national athletes having once been members, while the club itself is often awarded at the annual Rhodes University Sports Council Awards dinner.
The club was named Rhodes Sports Club of the Year three times in the 80s, and then again in 2004, 2005, and 2008.
Members representing South Africa include Alexia Loizou, Kate Mapham, CM Muller, Justin Gray, Angela Bott, Kirsten Huysamen (all triathlon, duathlon or biathlon) Jason Kidza-Sewanyana (track and field), while members representing other countries include Chris Felgate (Zimbabwe Olympics team – triathlon), Adam Alexander (Botswana triathlon) Grant Mitchell (Zimbabwe triathlon) and Simon Nakupunda (Namibia track and field).
Provincial representatives making their way through the club include all of the above, as well as Kamlesh Narshai (current Rhodes coach, former EP track and field captain) Brett Rheeder, Neil Harvey, Kevin Clelland (all EP 800m) Richard Holland, Greg Pienaar, Catherine Walker, Natalie Ross, Caroline Ross, Sean Swanepoel (triathlon/duathlon).
The club’s most well known current alumni include Lindsey Parry (club chairman in 1999) who is now the official Comrades coach, and a columist for Men’s Health and Runners World, and Chris Felgate who is also an Olympic triathlete.
“The close environment of Rhodes University itself, has often carried through the members of the club, and many shared experiences, of training, racing, and camaraderie have led to bonds that have formed for life, despite the average student’s roughly three year tenure at the club and the university,” said Irwin.
As for the centenary celebrations, the club held its cocktail function last weekend, where Andrew Alexander from Cape Town, a former club member and now well known author for a book on obsessive compulsive disorder, was the guest speaker.
The club also held a 4km Centenary Fun Run/Walk for the benefit of the SPCA on Saturday. An upcoming event is the The Centenary Street Mile is also scheduled for September 20, with proceeds going to Cansa in the Eastern Cape.
“With 100 years of existence soon to be behind us, at this time of reflection over that period, the Rhodes University Athletics Club, in common with the University as a whole, and indeed South Africa, needs to look to the future, and be prepared to adapt to, and embrace the challenges that the next 100 years may bring.
It is my fervent hope, and at the same time belief, that the club will continue to exist strongly, and this great landmark that has been reached, is just one of many such to come,” concluded Irwin.
Irwin has served as the club president for for years and also served on the committee as chairman, media liaison officer, and triathlon captain, making him the longest serving committee member at Rhodes Athletics Club, with six out of his nine years as a club member spent on the committee.
