Many Bristol graduates stay involved with university sport long after they've graduated. We've dedicated this page to celebrating the involvement and support from Bristol Alumni.
| Alex Lockey BEng 2007 |
Alex Lockey, captain of the Men's Hockey 1st team in 2006/2007 has helped secure £4000 for the university men's and women's hockey clubs. Alex, who works at jjFOX, a specialist recruitment company, stepped into support the hockey clubs when their previous sponsorship deal ended this year. He persuaded jjFOX to back the hockey teams in a one-year deal and believes that it could be the start of a longer term relationship. Alex says ‘Hockey is a sport that requires strong characters who are dedicated, motivated, good team players and communicators. These are some of the personal traits that we look for in our trainee recruitment consultants at jjFOX.' |
| Harvey Smythe BSc 1989 |
Chief Executive of Pizza Express, Harvey Smythe sponsors the University's High Performance Squad with an extremely generous £10000 a year. He also keeps personally involved in alumni sport. He was heavily involved in rugby during his time at Bristol and is still in close contact with his rugby team. He says ‘Each year we get back together and have a golf tournament called the Dewberry Cup against Durham alumni team. I still see a lot of the guys, but not so many of my fellow biochemists!' |
| Chris Washington BSc 2004 |
Now a Jiu Jitsu coach, Chris started Jiu Jitsu in his first year at Bristol. He had never been involved in martial arts before and wanted to try something new. He continued with his training throughout University and also played intramural hockey and five-a-side football. After leaving Bristol, he went travelling and then returned to complete the five-year training needed in order to become an instructor. He is now coach to the university Jiu Jitsu club. Being based in Bristol, he really enjoys his continued association with the club. He is not alone as two of his university contemporaries have continued with the sport as alumni, one being his assistant instructor. |
| Niall McCann BSc 2004 |
Zoology graduate Niall McCann made use of the Associate Sports Membership and used the university gym to train for the 2007 Alantic Rowing Race - known as the toughest rowing challenge in the world. He also had full support of the university's Health and Fitness Manager James Rowntree and Sports Performance manager Gordon Trevett to help him with his training. Niall praises the facilities, ‘the gym has a comprehensive free weights room, a good range of weights machines and a very extensive cardio section; with a large number of ergos, treadmills, exercise bikes and cross-trainers. Alumni get an excellent discount enabling them to train in a friendly, poser-free environment.' |
| Marc Wedge MSc 2003 |
Local Businessman, Marc ‘The Wedge' is best known as the host of the former Wednesday night sports social. The club night generated funds from its profits which was then available to all AU clubs to obtain items outside of the general budget. But Marc has been involved in Bristol sport in many other ways. ‘i give money, i do the AU dinner video and i came first in the Bristol half marathon when i drove the four-litre pace car,' he says ‘A cynical person would say i only do it for commercial gain, but those who know me know the blood, sweat and tears that i put into Bristol support and the hours i give up to support it. I genuinely believe that sport in Bristol is a valuable part of student life and i do hope it continues.' |
| Professor Selby Knox PhD 1969 |
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Selby has been involved in sport as a student at Bristol and as a member of staff - he captained the Wills Hall football team and played for the staff cricket team. As the former chair of the Sports and Recreation Advisory Group he supported Bob Reeves with the ‘promotion of sport and helping to improve the facilities for bristol' At the 2008 AU Dinner he was recognised for his contribution to Bristol sport, which he described as a ‘great honour.' He puts his enthusiasm down to always having ‘got great enjoyment out of Bristol sport,' and following his recent retirement has ‘improved his golf and been fishing in Ireland.' He also sails, skis and plays squash. Selby still has his university gym pass and plans to carry on using it. |
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Jayne Pearce BA 1986 |
Jayne Pearce graduated from the University of Bristol in 1986. She was President of the Athletics Union in 1986/87, was honoured with a University of Bristol Red for netball in 1986. Pearce is founder and co-director of Pearce International, a company that specialises in media operations for sporting events. In over 20 years in the business, she has worked on five Olympic Games, five Football World Cups (men's and women's) and countless track and field events. She has been media director of two International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Athletics and one IAAF World Indoor Championships. She has worked as a media consultant to the International Olympic Committee, a media officer for Fédération Internationale de Football Association and press director of the IAAF. She also advised the London bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.‘This is a dream come true for me,' said Pearce. ‘It is the culmination of a career and a challenge I relish. To be responsible for providing the press operations service for over 21,000 media in London in 2012 is an incredible prospect but one that I am ready for.' |
| Tom Noble AU Chair 2006-2008 |
How your role as AU-Chair affected your career now? |
