Stan Calvert
Since 1994 the sportsmen and sportswomen of Newcastle and Northumbria Universities have contested the Stan Calvert Memorial Cup. The cup is in memory of Stan Calvert, who was involved in physical recreation and sport at the University of Newcastle from the early sixties before becoming the first Director of Sport in 1981. He was born in Alnwick, Northumberland and educated at Dukes School, Alnwick and Birmingham University. When at Birmingham Stan represented British Universities at soccer in 1950.
Stan is remembered for his prolific work in sports administration and in the promotion of community sport in the northern region in his capacity as Chairman of the Northern Sports Council and a member of more than 20 other sports committees.
Each year over 1000 students in 45 teams play each other in approximately 20 different sports. The winners of each individual match are awarded 2 points. The winning University and the Stan Calvert Trophy winners will be the University with the most points.
The centrepiece for the competition is staged at the prestigious Gateshead International Stadium which stages 12 fixtures in 6 different sports. The final fixtures and showcase matches are the women's and men's 1st XV rugby union fixtures which bring the curtain down on the Stan Calvert Cup.
Stewart Evans
On Wednesday 16 March the first ever match to contest the Stewart Evans Memorial Cup between Newcastle University RFC and Durham University RFC will take place at Newcastle University's Cochrane Park, 2pm Kick off.
Professor Stewart Evans sadly passed away on 11 August 2010 aged 73 years after a brief illness from cancer. Professor Evans was an integral part of Newcastle University from 1970, as a lecturer and Head of Zoology for many years to being a passionate supporter of NURFC.
Stewart became involved with the Club in 1974 carrying out various roles, including President of the Club, Chairman and Manager. It was in 2007 when Stewart was still President of the Club and Chair of the Vice-President's Association he wrote the book 'Pride in the Lion – The History of Newcastle University Rugby Football Club'.
In May 2010, Professor Evans received an award for his outstanding contribution to University Sport for his work, service and support to University rugby since 1974. From 2010 onwards there will be an annual sports scholarship awarded in his name by the Centre for Physical Recreation and Sport. There will also be a yearly match between Newcastle and Durham Rugby Clubs, two institutions with great rugby history and pride.
John Fenn
John Fenn, AKA Fenny has devoted a lifetime to Rugby and in particular Newcastle University Rugby. He started out at Leeds Carnegie pursuing a teaching degree. After Earning His Coach Award Level 3 Tutor award from the RFU Fenny used these skills to Coach various clubs in the North East at 1stXV level including the premiership team (at the time) West Hartlepool between 1992-98.
Fenny later moved on to become Coach of Durham County between the years of 1998-2001 and has since been a Coach to Newcastle University RFC as well as being a member of the ESRFU Development Committee. During this time Fenny has been involved with the RFU in some capacity for 35 years!
Fenny has contributed no end to NURFC, getting past much red tape within our University system and has pushed for funding whenever and wherever possible. Over the years the Club has benefited immensely from Fenny's vast coaching experience and Fenny can still be found today lingering amongst the sport centre, Cochrane Park and Longbenton, (familiar venues to NURFC) providing a "good deal" to naïve freshers, selling all forms of stash from the back of his wagon.
