The Giraffe Club was set up to keep ex-university players
in touch with the club, informed as to what is happening in
the club and to keep them involved in real tennis. Our aim
was for Giraffe Club members to receive an annual
newsletter (click for 1.4M pdf) giving
information on the past season at the club and news of upcoming
events. Giraffe Club members are invited to the Cambridge
Weekend, which will be held on the 17th and 18th of May
2008. In 2007 the club welcomed members back to Cambridge
for a weekend of enjoyable tennis and social events. As one
of the premier events on the Real Tennis calendar, the Varsity
Match attracted many Old Blues and has benefited enormously
from the continued and passionate support of ex-players and
Alumni. Giraffe Club members are also invited to attend the
tremendous on-court post match meal (click
for the write-up of the 2007 event).
The 2005/06 season has been the most successful in the history
of student tennis at Cambridge. The men’s team defeated
Oxford 6-0 and the women’s team made their mark with
an unexpected 4-2 victory, the first Cambridge success since
the contest was begun. There have also been many outstanding
individual performances including David
Woodman becoming the Amateur champion.
The Giraffe Fund has been able to make a significant contribution
to these successes. For example, it provided bursaries to
cover the cost of rackets and membership for newcomers to
the women’s team. All the Giraffe funds are dedicated
to the continuing development of student tennis and have been
invaluable to the success of both new and current players
– this year’s Varsity match saw us field the men’s
team with handicaps of +5, 7, 7 and 10. The newsletter reports
further on what we have been able to achieve with your help
and your continuing generosity is greatly appreciated.
Membership of the Giraffe Club is £35 and this fee
goes into the Giraffe Fund. Life Membership is available for
£300. If you feel able to make an annual donation, please
use this banker’s order
(click for 282K pdf) . Your generosity
will be very much appreciated. I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Charlotte Barker & Burak Salgin
Women’s & Men’s Captains, 2006/7
