Six Nations Rugby Event for Queens'
A record 140 members of the College joined a Six Nations Q&A call on Tuesday night, with Queens' rugby legends John Spencer (1964) and Jamie Roberts (2015), chaired by Bianca Sainty (1994), the first captain of a female rugby team at Queens' and now an Honorary Patron of the Club.
On the call were current students, Fellows and alumni with matriculation years from 1952 to 2019. Current issues in the game as well as this year's tournament were all discussed in questions put to the Panel of John Spencer (former England captain, Lions manager, RFU President and Barbarians President), Jamie Roberts (Wales & Lions) and Fellow, Rowan Kitt (World Cup Television Match Official). Current students and former internationals James Horwill (Australia) and Flip van der Merwe (South Africa) also contributed.
The van der Lande Cup was presented for the first time, to Charlotte Spruzen. The Cup has been generously named by Mark van der Lande (1981), in memory of his father, Charles van der Lande (1956), the only person to captain the Club for two seasons. It will now be awarded annually to the Players' Player.
A number of alumni contributed their thanks following the call, including:
It was a very special occasion last night and I felt very privileged to be part of this event. The Q and A which followed was fascinating with so many famous rugby stars chipping in with their views.
I just wanted to thank everyone who was involved in organising last night’s Queens’ Six Nations Rugby Evening...it was brilliant to see so many former Queens’ RFC players join the call. One of the most enjoyable Zoom events I have been lucky enough to be part of.
A really good evening...the bond of rugby and the power of events like tonight’s!
Thank you all for a really great event last night...best Zoom of the pandemic for me!
Charlotte Spruzen with The van der Lande cup.
Charlotte Spruzen with The van der Lande cup.
If any alumni, Fellows, staff or students have any suggestions for virtual events, please let us know at alumni@queens.cam.ac.uk.
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