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alumniThe Magazine for Cardiff Met Graduates and Friends

Cardiff Met

at the Olympics

Issue 04 - 2012

Our Olympic Links…

Our Sporting Historypage 3

Our Olympic Hopefuls page 5

Cultural Olympiadpage 7

Schools Get Going page 11

Business at the Olympics page 13

Working around the Olympicspage 15

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Postgraduate Scholarships worth £3000 available!www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships

Further Information and full course list:www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/postgraduate029 2041 6044

@cardiffmet

facebook.com/cardiff.metropolitan.university

Photo courtesy of Luke Jerram

1 21

Since the last issue of the alumni magazine in July 2011,the University has entered into one of the mostchallenging but also most exciting periods in its long andillustrious history. A threat to its autonomy, a new name,and a multi-million pound new school building all meanthat we are approaching our 150th anniversary in 2015with much to consider.

Last July, the findings of the Higher Education FundingCouncil for Wales (HEFCW) report ‘Future Structure ofHigher Education in Wales’ were published by the WelshGovernment.In November, Welsh Education MinisterLeighton Andrews accepted the report’s recommendationthat UWIC, the University of Glamorgan, and University ofWales, Newport, should merge.

This proposed merger would create a ‘super university’ ofmore than 45,000 students spread over multiple campusesacross south-east Wales. It would be the second largestuniversity in the UK, behind only the Open University.

The University’s Board of Governors has expressedconcern at this plan, citing a lack of evidence-basedreasoning for such a merger. In addition, no costedbusiness case to support the reconfiguration has yet beenprovided. We are grateful to all alumni who responded viaemail during the consultation process. The Board hasstated that it will do all in its power not only to negotiate anoutcome that works for Wales but also one that safeguardsthe interests of all students and staff.

Last October saw the University change its name to‘Cardiff Metropolitan University’. Barbara Wilding, Chairof the Board of Governors, said: “The Board hasdetermined that there is a pressing need to now invokeour own degree awarding powers and to adopt the newname, thereby signalling our departure from the Universityof Wales.

“Having a name which features the citymore prominently will significantly helpmaintain the profile of Cardiff as aCapital City of Learning.”

That commitment to its students and the wider communitywas reflected in the recent announcement of a major newdevelopment for the Cardiff School of Art & Design. The£14 million investment will enable a new building to bebuilt on the University’s Llandaff campus, and existingaccommodation will be substantially improved to provide acontemporary home for the internationally-recognisedSchool. Students and staff will move into the building intime for the autumn term of 2014.

We look forward to the challenges ahead, confident in thesupport of our alumni and friends as lifelong partners ofthe institution.

I’m delighted to bring you our Olympic-themed magazine for 2012. This year we are bringing you storiesfrom all aspects of our involvement in the London 2012 Games, from our aspiring athletes, to business linksand schools participation. We have three wonderful stories from the Cultural Olympiad, and we’ll also havea look back over our proud history of competing and coaching at the highest level.

Greetings from the Alumni Office

Follow the QR code direct toour registration page online!

Competition Time!

“How do I enter?”I hear you say. You will notice a white carrier sheet with this issue of themagazine, with a Personal Information Form on the reverse. Anyone whocompletes and returns their Info Form (or completes the onlineregistration form with employment details) will be entered into ourcompetition. Your details are treated with the strictest confidentialityunder the Data Protection Act, but we are finding more and more thatstudents and recent graduates like to know more about the careerdestinations of those who graduated before them. After all, your successis a great indicator of their potential success! We may also come back toyou to request a formal career profile for use on our website. The closingdate for the competition is Monday 13th August 2012.

Cardiff Met (UWIC) Alumni are also eligible for 20% off ShowPlus ticketsbefore 23rd December 2012. Book your tickets with Motorpoint ArenaBox Office and Quote UWIC Alumni to claim your discount. ShowPlustickets include early entry to the ShowPlus Lounge, pre-show meal and adedicated bar.

Professor A J ChapmanVice-Chancellor

Artist’s impression of the new School of Art and Design

Claire GraingerCardiff Met, Alumni Officer

We were privileged to meet some of our Olympic torchbearers,Rhys Jenkins (left, BA Hons Business Studies 2010) and LynnDavies, CBE (Physical Education, 1964) before they made theirruns, and we wish all those taking part the very best of luck.Thanks to everyone whose stories have helped to contribute tothis issue. We have a lot to be proud of this summer.

Once again, our friends at Motorpoint Arena havebeen generous enough to provide two pairs oftickets for our annual alumni competition. Thisyear the tickets are to see the acclaimed sell-outMichael McIntyre tour on Saturday 25th August!

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Last night, students werehonoured by the presence of twoOlympians. Lynn Davies, who wonthe Gold Medal for Long Jump atthe Tokyo Olympics in 1964, wasjoined by the man he described ashis inspiration - fellow student atthe Heath, and twice BronzeMedal winner at the RomeOlympics in 1960, Peter Radford.During his illustrious career as anacademic in Canada and the UK,Peter became involved in the anti-doping agency, and becameChairman of what is now UKAthletics in 1993 and ExecutiveChairman in 1994. Lynn then tookover as President of UK Athleticsin 2003, a position he retains intothis Olympic year. We areparticularly proud to see twoformer students from CardiffTraining College (the forerunnerof the School of Sport, based atthe Heath) at the forefront of UKAthletics for the best part of twodecades.

They were the forerunners ofOlympic success. Competing atthree consecutive Games, Chris

Hallam, OBE, won medals forswimming and wheelchair racingin the 1988 Summer Paralympicsin Seoul, the 1992 Games inBarcelona and the 1996 Games inAtlanta. Ian Barker won Silver atSydney 2000, in the Sailing 49erclass, and is a current GB Sailingcoach. We have also beenrepresented at the Games byRobin Baskerville (Diving, Mexico1968), John Lear (Weightlifting),Michaela Breeze (Weightlifting2004 and 2008), Stephen Thomas(Paralympic Sailing 2004 and2008) and Claire Wright(Trampolining 2008).

If we look at the coaches andsupport staff that we haveproduced over the years, ourgraduates’ involvement in theOlympics becomes even moreapparent. Many of us wouldrecognise the iconic voice ofMitch Fenner, BBC commentator,and he was just one of a numberof GB Gymnastics coaches we have produced. Dr MikePeyrebrune coaches RebeccaAdlington amongst others, and

Simon Jones has coached cyclingfor both GB and Australia. ScottSimpson, former Director ofAthletics at UWIC, is onsecondment to UK Athletics forthe build up to London 2012.Finally, we have a huge contingentfrom the women’s Basketballteam, Division 1 champions theArchers: Damian Jennings (GBWomen’s Coach), Lucy Power(Team Manager), Sarah Wagstaff(Assistant Team Manager) andDavid Bailey (PerformanceAnalyst).

Looking to the summer, we’reextremely proud to have 15current and former students whoare aspiring to compete in theLondon Olympics, including 2squad members hoping to play inthe opening event of the Games atthe Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.Having competed for UWICduring their time here as students,they have shown a commitment totraining and development whichhas already seen them win podiumplaces on the National, Europeanand World stage.

You can read more about the‘Ones to Watch’ on Pages 5 & 6or follow the QR code to readmore about our Olympic linksonline:

60 Years of Olympic Links

GB NationalCoaches Past & PresentJohn Atkinson (PE Diploma 1959) –Gymnastics (Life President ofthe International GymnasticsFederation)

David Lease(Cert.Ed 1966) - Athletics

Mitch Fenner(Cert.Ed 1967) - Gymnastics

John Beer(Cert. Ed 1970) - Trampolining

Dr Mike Peyrebrune(BA (Hons) Human MovementStudies 1986) - Swimming

Simon Jones(BA (Hons) Sport & HumanMovement Studies 1995) -Cycling

Damian Jennings(BSc (Hons) SportsDevelopment 2001) -Basketball

Sarah Moon(BSc (Hons) SportsDevelopment 2002) -Rhythmic Gymnastics

Scott Simpson(BSc (Hons) Sport & ExerciseScience 2003) - Athletics

Dean of the School of Sport, Dave Cobner, reflects on 60 years ofOlympic links… The morning after the annual Sports Awardsdinner is a good time to reflect on the sporting contribution that

generations of Cardiff Met, UWIC, SGIHE and Cardiff Training Collegestudents have made over the years. Leaving Cyncoed with a passion toachieve, some of our graduates have done particularly well as performers,coaches, managers and sports scientists on the international stage.

4

Professor Peter Radford and Lynn Davies, CBE

55 6

AspiringAthletes

We wish all our aspiring competitors allthe very best for their training over the

next few weeks. Keep a look out forthem at the Games!

Dai Greene - 400m HurdlesWorld, Commonwealth and European ChampionBA (Hons) Leisure & Sports Management 2008

Joe Thomas - 800mBSc (Hons) Sports Coaching 2010

Nadine Okyere - 400mBSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science 2008 & MScSport & Exercise Sciences 2010

Tom Parsons - High JumpBSc (Hons) Sport & Physical Education 2005

Nathan Stephens - Paralympic JavelinBSc Sports Coaching student

Brett Morse – DiscusHND Sports Development &Coaching student

Helen Glover (left) – Rowing2011 Doubles World ChampionBSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science 2007

Georgina Geikie Pistol ShootingBA (Hons) Product Design 2007

Stephen ThomasParalympic SailingBSc (Hons) Sports Development2009

UWIC Archers in the GB Womens Basketball squad:Jenaya Wade-Fray, Rose Anderson, Kate Butters and Stef Collins (MA Sport Development & Coaching).

As we go to press, 3 of ourWomen’s Footballers arehoping to be picked forthe GB Women’s squad,to be in with a chance ofplaying in the first eventof the 2012 Olympics, atthe Millennium Stadiumin Cardiff.

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In July 2011 Londoners awoke to the sound of musicemanating from the skies, as The Sky Orchestra flewover the capital, heralding a year to go to the 2012Games. Created by Luke Jerram (Fine Art 1997), SkyOrchestra is an ongoing research project andexperimental artwork bringing together performanceand music to create visual audio installations within theair and within the mind.

“I first had the idea for a Sky Orchestrawhen I experienced the call to prayer at3am in Tunisia. The voices calling frommany different areas of the townsimultaneously opened up a kind ofsculptural map in my imagination. I couldsee the layers of sound building onto oneanother. The Sky Orchestra is designed toshare this experience, and deliver a giantsurround sound performance artwork tothe people’s homes. I hope that the musicwe play lifts the public into the perceptualspace on the edge of sleep, inspiring theirimaginations with sound.”

The Sky Orchestra is made up of seven hot airballoons, each with speakers attached, which take offat dawn and fly across a city. Each balloon plays adifferent element of a musical score, specially writtenfor the project by BAFTA award winning composer andsound designer Dan Jones. Through the use ofsurround sound, Sky Orchestra aims to deliver asculptural experience to the public, by lifting them intothe creative space on the edge of sleep and thenacoustically seeding their imaginations.

The airborne project is both a vast spectacularperformance as well as an intimate, personalexperience. Sky Orchestra has previously flown overBristol, Stratford-upon Thames and Birmingham, aswell as in Canada, Switzerland and Australia. For theLondon flights (they flew twice in a 6-day period) abespoke Android app allowed users to track the flightsand participate from afar.

Jenny Bradley graduatedwith an MSc in EventsManagement in 2009,and soon found herselfmanaging a project of Olympic proportions. Wecaught up with her in heroffice in Pontcanna tofind out more.

How did you getinvolved in the CulturalOlympiad?For the last 6 years, I’ve beenmanaging a community musicgroup called Wonderbrass. Istarted playing with them when Iwas 17, and when the previousmanager stepped down, I tookover. In October 2010 wesubmitted an application to thePRS for Music for a grant todeliver a piece of new music, andluckily our bid was successful!

How would youdescribe your winningapplication?Our initial bid described a piece ofwork called ‘Skip, Dash, Flow’ thatwould encompass both the spiritof the Olympic Games, and thevibrancy of the multiculturalmusical environment in Britain.When we wrote the application,the music was yet to be written,but we had already worked withthe composer, Jason Yarde, backin 2002. That collaboration hadreally inspired the band, and sowe had a good idea of what wecould achieve.

When will you beperforming thecommissioned piece?‘Skip, Dash, Flow’ had its premierein Cardiff on February 21st 2012.As part of the New Music 20x12,we’re one of 20 groupsperforming new music at theSouth Bank Centre the weekendof 13th – 15thth July. We’re alsoappearing in Lichfield on 9thJune, at the DruidstoneJamboree on the 6th July,and finally the Welsh Promsin Cardiff on 27th July.

Tell me more aboutWonderbrassWonderbrass started out as a 10-session community project in theSouth Wales Valleys. The projectwas so successful, we’recelebrating our 20th anniversarythis year! Wonderbrass are notlike other bands; although wecharge a performance fee, themusicians don’t get paid. Instead,the fees are used to fund tuitioncosts and projects for the band sothat members are able to performwith and learn from top musiciansfrom a variety of backgrounds andgenres.

Any alumni in theband?We’ve got a couple of Cardiff Metstudents in the band – KatBerridge (Interior Architecture)plays Trombone and Ann O’Neill(PGCE Primary) plays Clarinet. Itwould be great to see some of thealumni at the Welsh Promsperformance. Besides featuring‘Skip, Dash, Flow,’ we’ll bebringing our unique blendof funk, blues, Latin anduplifting Africantownshipmelodies to thecity centreconcert.

Sky Orchestra Wonderbrass

New Music 2012

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Photo courtesy of Luke Jerram

Photo courtesy of Wonderbrass

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Inspiring Dance

Sally Varrall, Programme Director for Dance, explains more about the project.

“The project was designed to developperformance skills involving our in-housespecialties of Dance, Gymnastics and Trampolining and to add a dash of ‘something extra’ to the mix. For that, we approached the No Fit State Circus,based here in Cardiff, and they were ableto compliment our strengths with trapezeand aerial routines. The students havebeen able to create a range of dance-re-lated choreography, reflecting the style ofan Olympic Games opening ceremonyperformance.”

Twenty students have been involved in20 weeks of workshops with No Fit StateCircus, learning aerial performance skillsusing ropes, trapeze, silks and hoops. The project was funded by Arts Councilof Wales, the Welsh Government and theNational Lottery.

In Sally’s words:“It really has been amazing, being able totake part in this project. It’s the best feel-ing in the week after the workshops!Being able to share that feeling with thestudents, as we learn all these amazingskills, is really inspiring.”

Students at Cardiff Met have had theunique opportunity to participate in a

programme which was awarded thevery prestigious Olympic Inspiremark. The Physical Unity Projectwas rewarded for its focus on the

Olympic values and for the involvement of students and

community groups.

Individuals

Businesses

Charitable Trusts

Scholarships and Student Prizes

Projects involving the local community

Research

Resources and Equipment

Where do our donations go?Where do our donations come from?

16%

53%

31%59%

5%15%

Donations during the 2010-2011 academic year

21%

Did you know that in the 2010-2011academic year you helped us achievealmost £300,000 in donations? Thisacademic year is no different and we areagain on target to raise a similar amount.This is fantastic news for the University aswe are able to help more students thanever to reach their full potential byproviding scholarships and bursaries. Italso enables us to help fund world-leadingresearch that will benefit not only Wales,but the UK and further afield. Thisgenerosity has also allowed us to enhancethe campus facilities, benefiting everyonein the local community.

The highlight of our fundraising calendaris the annual alumni Telephone Campaign.Since we started this in 2010, our studentcallers have spoken to over 2,000 alumniand you have pledged almost £56,000 insupport of our Development Fund(previously called the Annual Fund)! Wecan’t wait to get going again this autumn.It is great to be able to make contact with

so many alumni and find out where yourdegree has taken you. The 30 or sostudent callers that join the team everyyear find it a rewarding experience too.Many gain a valuable insight into aparticular career path or receive advice onwhat to do following graduation. We dotry and match the students to you bydegree and interests, so they can provideas much relevant information to you aspossible and vice versa.

We are as keen to get as many alumniinvolved as possible but unfortunately welack the correct contact details for manypeople. Please get in touch to update yourdetails and let us know if you would like totake part this year by emailing:developmentoffice@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

If you would like to find out more aboutthe projects that have benefited from yourgenerosity, go to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/horizons where you can read oursupporters’ newsletter.

You may have noticed that we are nolonger called the UWIC Foundation.When we changed our name to CardiffMetropolitan University, we becamethe Development Office and ourcharity number is 1140762. We still dothe same job, which is to steward alldonations from alumni, staff, friendsand organisations.

To find out more about us go towww.cardiffmet.ac.uk/supportus. and participate from afar.

DevelopmentNews

Jack Rees, student caller during the 2011 TelephoneCampaign

Photo courtesy of The Physical Unity Project

1211

Education and the Olympics The Olympic and Paralympic

Games have inspired schoolsall over the country to get

involved during 2012. Underpinningthe Games is the philosophy of Pierrede Coubertin, the founder of theModern Olympic Movement. He sawin the Games an ideal opportunity todevelop a set of universal principles -or values - that could be applied toeducation and to society as a whole,as well as to sport itself.These values are:

Respect Fair play; knowing one’s own limits; and taking care ofone’s health and the environment

ExcellenceHow to give the best of oneself, on the field of play or inlife; taking part; and progressing according to one’s ownobjectives

FriendshipHow, through sport, to understand each other despiteany differences

The Paralympic values are based onthe history of the Paralympic Gamesand the tradition of fair play andhonourable sports competition. They are:

Courage DeterminationInspiration Equality

These values are perfectly aligned forinclusion in school. At Cardiff High School,Headteacher Stephen Jones (BA (Hons)Human Movement Studies 1988-91) andStrategic Leader for Skills and CurriculumAlison Lambert (Foundation Art & Design1988, PGATC 1994 and MA Education2005) explained how their school hastaken advantage of various opportunitiesto make the most of the Olympic spirit.

“As Strategic Leader for Skills andCurriculum across the school, I’ve beenable to incorporate the Olympics in allsorts of ways. We’re already committed toEducation for Sustainable Developmentand Global Citizenship (ESDGC) whichties in very well with the Olympic values.The school signed up for the Get SetSchools Olympic programme, which has agreat website full of resources for use inschool. Focusing on the themes andvalues of the Games, we’re encouraged topromote healthy living, participation,respect, culture and art, through differenteducational projects and competitions, aswell as sports and physical activities.During the morning form-room sessionsthat we call “Thought for the day” pupilshave been given the opportunity to focuson all the different teams involved in theGames by researching the differentcountries involved.

“We signed up for the Better Breakfastnational campaign, as part of our drive toensure that food and nutrition andphysical activity become integral to theoverall value system of the school. 600pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 learned aboutnutritious breakfasts through a funprogramme led by fitness expert JohnThomson, Hollywood martial arts expertDave Gentry and Holly Matthews fromthe TV programme Waterloo Road!

“We’re organising a multi-cultural foodevening, so that people can try food fromWales, other parts of the UK, and ofcourse from the rest of the world. Thisgives us a great opportunity to talk aboutother cultures, many of which arerepresented in the school already.

“We’ve also – perhaps most excitingly hadthe opportunity to give away 6 free ticketsto pupils at the school. We decided to dothis through a nomination process, forthose pupils who truly embody theOlympic values, either at home, in school,or elsewhere – it’s a lovely opportunity toget to reward truly outstandingcontributions, much of which we’d notbeen aware of previously.”

Another local Headteacher, UWICgraduate Gareth Rein (BA Hons PrimaryEducation 1997-2000), describes howSt Joseph’s RC Primary School, Penarthis getting involved with a group of localprimaries:

“During May and June children in KeyStage 2 (ages 7-11) will participate in theCommunity Olympics. 11 schools fromthe Penarth area are participating in 9different events. The scheme is awonderful way to celebrate the staging ofthe Olympic Games in this country, andaims to promote positive attitudes to sportand healthy living through friendlycompetition.

“Just like the Olympics, we started with thetorch relay, during which a speciallycreated torch travelled around all theparticipating schools. The OpeningCeremony saw children from Year 6involved in events taken from theParalympic Games, such as WheelchairRugby, Boccacia and Blind Football. Theywere joined by Britain’s most successfulParalympic athlete (and Cardiff MetHonorary Fellow) Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. The closing ceremony will bea swimming gala on 29th June, with cupsand medals at the end for both individualsand schools.”

“Adam Douglas (BA Human MovementStudies 1988) is Head of PE at SheldonSchool in Wiltshire. For a number of yearsnow, the school has celebrated OlympicDay on 23rd June. Initially led by thePhysical Education faculty, themotivational qualities of the OlympicGames have permeated all school faculties.Pupils attend lessons in the morning: alllessons are themed around the OlympicGames and Values, irrespective of subject.Typically an Olympian and the Head ofDepartment give inspirational speechesthat place the Olympic Values into context.Let’s hope the inspiration of London 2012remains with these pupils - and manymore around the country - throughouttheir lives.”

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Building Business

at the Olympics

The Olympic Park and Athletes Village: Home to anincredible set of arenas and accommodation, withbreathtaking architecture and painstaking security.

Firmly rooted in East London, it seems a world away fromCardiff - and yet the very fabric of some of the key buildingswithin the Park has been provided by Welsh companies setup by a former Cyncoed student. Nick Williams, Chairmanof Euroclad and Eurobond, as well as numerous othersuccessful businesses, described how he got involved withthe Olympic bid.

James Tombs

RoleHead of Commercial & Business Operations, British Basketball

DegreeBA (Hons) Human Movement Studies1998 & MBA 2003

James Mildenhall

RoleDeputy Venue Manager at LOCOG 2012

DegreeBA (Hons) Leisure & Sports Management2007

Lisa Hampton

RoleParalympic Torch Relay Planning Manager at London 2012

DegreeBA (Hons) Recreation & Leisure Manage-ment 2002

Ceri Thomas

RoleLondon 2012 Inspire Programmer for Wales

DegreeBA (Hons) Human Movement Studies1993 & MA Sport Development & Coaching 2006

Saad Khan

RoleSoftware Analyst, Results TechnologyServices, London 2012

DegreeMBA 2006

Emyr Kirkman

RolePanasonic – Supplying camera securityoutside the Olympic park

DegreeEngineering, 1986

Other alumni involved behind the scenes to bring us the London 2012 Olympic Games include…

“The early stages of the tendering processbegan in 2005, when The London 2012Organising Committee (LOCOG) beganinviting initial tenders from Britishconstruction companies. We workedclosely with the appointed contractorsand specialist installers and wererewarded with orders for the InternationalBroadcast Centre and Olympic Stadiumitself. Of particular note were thealuminium composite panels used on themain stadium; they are the largest of theirkind ever manufactured and will be visibleto every visitor as they enter the venue.

“Our bid was cost-effective but the quality,specification and design flexibility of ourproducts were the deciding factors in avery competitive tender. LOCOG are anefficient operation with extremely highexpectations, especially when it comes toquality of work and deadlines. Theyemployed external benchmarks to test thesupply chain and I am pleased with howwe have been able to meet their demands.

“One of the highlights in being involved ina project like this is its exclusivity - it’s likehaving an all-access pass to one of themost famous stages in Britain, if not theworld, especially this year. It’s also quiteexciting to think that our products aregoing to be

displayed on millions of TVs all over theworld; whenever you see the OlympicStadium -that’s Euroclad. And shelteringthousands of journalists are the enormousroof and walls of the InternationalBroadcast Centre, supplied entirely byEuroclad and Eurobond – I’m very proudto be able to say that.”

Nick admits to another sense of pridewhen he thinks back to his time atCyncoed, under the tutelage of SydAaron, a great sportsman anddisciplinarian.

“I bet Syd Aaron would be amazed to hearof my involvement with the Olympics - Inever was the best in the gym. I hope hewould be proud of me - even if I won’t becompeting for a medal!”

International Broadcast Centre. Photo courtesy of Euroclad.

Around TheOlympics

With all the excitementsurrounding the Olympics,it’s easy to imagine that

those working in Olympic venues aregoing to be rushed off their feet thissummer. For those whose venues arebeing used to stage Olympic events,this is not always the case - as wefound out from two of our graduates,in Cardiff and London.

Sian Morse (BA Hons HotelManagement 2001) is Head ofSales for Compass Group inCardiff, covering the MillenniumStadium and Cardiff City Stadium.With the Millennium Stadiumhosting Men’s and Women’sFootball - including the first eventsof the Games, which kick offbefore the Opening Ceremony -we asked Sian to describe thesummer ahead.

“We’re actually into the wind-downperiod now - the Barbarians matchin June is our last event until theSpeedway in August. My office isnot involved in sales or promotionfor the Olympic events, so ourchallenge for the summer is salestargets for after the Games!LOCOG move in at the start of -

June, and they handle everythingfrom there. Our operational teams- catering, preparation, staffingand security teams will all beinvolved. They have been securitychecked and accredited to workon behalf of LOCOG, but the salesteam will have different pressuresover the summer.”

Sian’s story is echoed byChristopher Marking (BA HonsRecreation & Leisure Management1999), Vice President,Sponsorship Strategy at AEG,owners of The O2 in London. TheO2 is being used to host theBasketball Finals and theGymnastics, but for the durationof the Games, everything changesfor Christopher’s team:

“I am not directly working on thegames, although it will certainlyhave an impact on what we aredoing in 2012. At The O2, myteam, AEG Global Partnerships, isresponsible for bringing in andmanaging all commercial revenuefrom sponsors and suite holders.However, during the OlympicsThe O2 will become known as the‘North Greenwich Arena.’ Thismeans that our naming rightspartner and all other partners’branding will have to be removed,as only official Olympic branding isallowed. It also means that oursuite holders and VIP memberswill not get access to their usualboxes and tickets.

“So in one sense it is a greatprivilege to host Olympic events,on the other it is a challenge thatwe need to get around for our dayto day business.”

With our athletes, coaches,analysts, nutritionists, hoteliers,caterers, and journalists all gettingready for a hectic Olympic summer,perhaps it’s only right that some ofour alumni will be allowed to takeJuly 2012 at a slightly moreleisurely pace!

15 16

The O2 at night. Photo courtesy of AEG Global Partnerships

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Alumni Magazine 2012

17

Alumni Magazine 2012

Successful reunions depend on plenty of effort andorganisation in the early stages and it can take up toa year to plan. If you are thinking of organising a

reunion, please consider these steps, and we’ll be happy tohelp make your event a success.

Planning You will know best what your group willenjoy: are your classmates retired or dothey have young families? What is anaffordable ticket price? Would a daytimeor evening event suit your fellow alumnibetter? Does your reunion conflict withother major events?

Class Lists We may hold details of your formerclassmates but through your own personalnetworks you may be able to help us findany we have lost touch with over theyears. We can also invite former staff!

InvitationsThe Development and Alumni Office cansend letters and emails to the relevantmailing list. We usually send an invitationtwo to three months before the event, soyou should factor this into your planning.

Room Booking and Catering We can advise on a number of venues,and if your reunion is to be held oncampus, we can book catering, venues,campus tours and accommodationfor you.

Promotion We will promote your reunion on ourwebsite, through the alumni e-newsletterand in the annual Alumnium magazine.

Class GiftsMany reunion groups are choosing tomake a class gift to the University’sDevelopment Fund. This is a veryspecial way of marking the anniversaryof your graduation. From scholarshipsand student resources to significantworld-ranked research, there are manyareas where your gift can make animpact.

Forthcoming Events Saturday 21st July 2012 - Cyncoed Class of 1969-72. Spread the word.

The Ruby Reunion of those who left college in 1972 isstill open for bookings! An afternoon tour of collegefollowed by a buffet in Centro, with plenty of time toreminisce. Your photos and memories most welcome!

Saturday 22nd September 2012 - NCTJ Journalism1988

Alastair Milburn is organising a tour of Cyncoed forthose who were studying Journalism at ColchesterAvenue and practising shorthand in Taffy's Bar.

Saturday 3rd November - Cyncoed Class of1962-65.

David Llewelyn is organising a reunion to celebrate 50years since the first students started at Cyncoed.

Alumni are encouraged to join us for University eventsthroughout the year, such as our Professorial Lecturesand our annual Carol Service in Llandaff Cathedral. Forfurther details, make sure you are on our alumni emaillist.

2013 - Advance Notice! BA (Hons) HumanMovement Studies.1985-88Julia Goddard is organising a reunion for next year,to celebrate 25 years, and to commemorate Non EleriThomas (nee Evans) who died earlier this year.

So You Fancy a Reunion? Ruby Reunion for the Class of 1971, July 2011 “When I grow up-

The gift of education can be lifechanging. With your help we can change lives together.

After providing for your family and friends, please thinkabout leaving a gift in your will to support scholarships atCardiff Metropolitan University. You will be supporting a

tradition of opportunity, achievement and innovation.

If you would like to discuss any aspect ofleaving a gift in your will to Cardiff Met,please contact:

Sheona Evans,Development Managertel: 029 2020 1590email: sjevans@cardiffmet.ac.ukwww.cardiffmet.ac.uk/supportus

I want to be a scientist”