Events
Rugby Dinner
Raised £5,000 for the Matt Hampson Trust
During the Easter break in 2007, Dean Close became the venue for a Matt Hampson Black Tie Dinner. The dining room was transformed; round tables, white linen, dance floor, lit-up backdrops, a powerful sound system and lighting rigs filled the room and, with its 400 or so guests, generated a fantastic atmosphere.
The evening was in aid of the Matt Hampson Trust. Matt was seriously injured during a routine training session with the England U21 rugby team in March 2005. He has no movement from the neck down but his positive spirit is amazing and his self-belief is inspiring.
At the top table was Neil Back, member of the Rugby World Cup winning team in 2003, who dutifully signed autographs throughout the evening. Martin Bayfield was MC for the night, and particularly enjoyed the moment when the Headmaster arrived late due to a flight delay, pointing out his attempted discrete entry to the entire audience. The entertainment continued into the meal, when one of the waiters suddenly broke out into song, then another, then another. Their voices were magnificent but the comedic banter between the three was equally as entertaining. Later, an auction featured the signed shirts of Pelé, Maradona, Martin Johnson and the Manchester United FC as well as a pair of original iron gates from Twickenham's Rugby Ground. Music continued after the auction with singing from crooner, Riccardo, and Housemistress Julie Kent, who wowed the MC with her sax playing.
The event's huge success was can be attributed to all the hard work put in by organiser, Alan Lamb from Crouch & Hold Ltd, whose attention to detail gave the evening a winning edge.
100 Years of Hockey
Lent 2007 marked a significant milestone in the Dean Close calendar: the School had been playing hockey for a centenary. This was a big occasion and was marked in reputable Dean Close style with an awesome display of hockey followed by a great feast.
The Centenary hockey match played on Ellam's pitch was a masterclass in skill and sportsmanship. One hundred years ago the teeming rain that fell on the day would have made for a slow, divot-ridden game. However, a covering of water on the School's fine astroturf pitch gave a startling pace and slickness to the game. A team of Internationals, organised by England GB player Ben Marsden, which contained seven current Internationals and four ODs, made breath-taking use of the pitch.
The marvellous coaching of Gary Tredgett has had a major impact on both girls and boys hockey at Dean Close for over 15 years. This was graphically seen on the day, as girls and boys understood intuitively tactics and skills in tight situations and concluded in a highly respectable 7-11 defeat to the Internationals.
Dean Close hockey on the day showed itself in very good health much to the delight of many ODs who had travelled from all over the world to attend the Centenary Match. At the dinner, there were 18 past Captains as well as past and present coaches, and the stories of reminiscence ran long in to the evening. Eloquent speeches were delivered, but none more memorable than Denys Carnill's speech. Having captained Great Britain at three successive Olympics (Helsinki, Melbourne and Rome), Denys spoke warmly and wittily to recall great tales from his rich experiences. With his schoolmasterly eye over proceedings and a buoyant mood at the dinner, Dean Close Hockey looks set for another 100 years of excellence.
Headmaster's International XI
Richard Alexander, Surbiton HC, England & GB Squad
Tom Edginton OD, Wales
James Fair, Cannock HC, England & GB Squad (current England goalkeeper)
Rhys Gwilliam, Director of Sport DCS, Wales 96-02
Martin Jones, Cannock HC, England & GB Squad
Simon Mantell, Reading HC, England & GB Squad
Ben Marsden OD Captain 1st XI, 1998 (captain), Surbiton HC, England & GB Squad
Rob Moore, Surbiton HC, England & GB Squad, Athens Olympics
Chris Price OD and 1st XI Captain 2000, Wales U21
Matt Taylor, Cannock HC, England & GB Squad
James Tindall, Surbiton HC, England & GB Squad
Chris Willis OD, Wales
School XI
Rachael Barraclough
Matt Dring (captain)
Issy Fateh
James Gough OD
Jamie Legg OD
Helen Melville
Bryony Mintram
Will Pearce OD, England U18
Natasha Price (captain) England U19
Tom Sword
Chris Tasker-Grindley OD
Tamara Fateh, England U18
Manager: Hilary Swan
Coach: Gary Tredgett, England Indoor Squad 1984-85