Festival of Sport 2024

Expanding our annual ‘Ghosts’ matches, this year we were excited to host our first ‘Festival of Sport’ on Saturday 20 April, thanks to the Warden’s (Dr Sir Michael Jacobs) endorsement and keen interest in sport. Current students and alumni gathered throughout the day to play against each other in a competitive (though always friendly) spirit, allowing alumni to reconnect with the college, and our students to meet alumni and experience some healthy competition!

We started the day with mixed 7-a-side hockey, with the alumni winning 13-8, despite head chef Freddy Hussain heroically running onto the pitch at the last minute to play for College. The men’s 2nd football kicked off at 1pm, after the alumni team completed their thorough warm up and stretching routine, coached ably by Adrian Grayston and David Smith, who came prepared and ready for battle with team lists, maps detailing the players positions, and water and oranges for players at half time.

Next came netball, an intense game ensuing resulting in a win for the student team, with a final score of 12-30. A comment from Netball Captain Grace White on the day:

‘We thought the Festival of Sport was a huge success. It was so lovely to meet some of the alumni through the day, and lovely to see the older girls reunite with friends who had left. The timing of the day was perfect — there was always an element to be looking forward to, whether it was the games, the refreshments and catching up, mingling in the bar, the curry in hall, and there were loose plans for a social too — maybe next year. I can't wait for it to get bigger each year, especially as the number of netball alumni increases. I'll definitely be back, no doubt’.

Women’s football was next, with a small but charged 5-a-side game ensuing at 2pm, with a win to the College 6-9. We hope to gather more alumni and students next year, with women’s football drawing a larger crowd! Men’s rugby kicked off simultaneously in University Parks, with the alumni winning 31-21.

“The Festival of Sport was a brilliant occasion, with alumni from up to 50 years ago making the effort to come and play.”

Finally, it was time for the Men’s 1st teams to play football, with the Warden making an appearance on pitch for the first half, playing for the College. Despite meticulous preparation, the alumni team sadly lost 1-5, with the trophy triumphantly awarded to the students. From Noah Fletcher, student captain:

‘The Festival of Sport was a brilliant occasion, with alumni from up to 50 years ago making the effort to come and play. As well as the games, the dinner afterwards was also a great event, and a perfect chance to talk to the alumni and hear their stories of years gone by in Keble. Bring on next year!’

Long-time Ghost and coach Adrian Grayston commented: 

‘Last time College played the Football Ghosts, they suffered a reverse in both fixtures, losing by an aggregate score of 8-1 across the two matches. But, at the Festival of Sport in 2024, the Ghosts met Noah Fletcher (College Football Captain) and as we all know it was Noah who was associated with the Flood, in this case a flood of goals as the all-conquering College sides avenged their earlier defeats, winning both matches with an aggregate score of 9-1. This is not to say that the Ghosts didn’t play well, or try hard, but, given that almost no side in Oxford can live with the Double Winners, it was no shame to come second on this occasion’.

Players and supporters were sustained throughout the day by a rolling ‘Tea’ at the Pavilion, followed by drinks in the Bar and an informal dinner of curry in Hall. The Festival of Sport was a great success, both sportingly and socially, one that we hope to repeat next year!

With thanks to our alumni captains and organisers: Livi Lee-Smith (2018), Lucy Donovan (2015), Sarah Shao (2014), Kate Dickinson (2013), David Smith (1972), Adrian Grayston (1972), Andy Airey (1985), Elsie Gray (2019).

Our Student Captains and organisers: Katie Percival, Noah Fletcher, Grace White, Amos Sopher, Martina Mengoli.

And from the College, many thanks to Ade Roche and Dave Turner for making sure the pitches and pavilion were in excellent condition, to Richard Brain and ‘the men’, and to Freddy and his team for the excellent catering.