Hartpury recently hosted its first Alumni Rugby Celebration Dinner, a fantastic event that brought together over 200 alumni to celebrate the rich rugby heritage. The evening was a resounding success, filled with nostalgia, and the chance for former students to reconnect with the institution that helped shape their rugby journeys.

With 14 notable alumni in attendance, the event shone a spotlight on those who have made significant contributions to both rugby and the Hartpury community. Throughout the evening, these notable alumni shared memories with guests, discussing their time at Hartpury and how it helped mould their careers.

The event was further enriched by a series of speeches from key figures who have played a central role in Hartpury’s rugby story. Sean Holley, Hartpury’s first Director of Rugby, recounted how the rugby programme was established and grew into the success it is today. Sean was appointed by former Principal Malcolm Wharton, whose visionary leadership in founding the rugby academy at Hartpury was highlighted in a video presentation.

Alan Martinovic, former Director of Rugby, reflected on the rise of the Saturday team through the leagues and the success of the AASE programme. He shared fond memories of working with notable players such as Ellis Genge, who also attended the dinner. Mark Cornwall added to the evening by speaking about the Saturday team’s continued success, highlighting their rise to the Championship and their best-ever finish last season.

Russell Marchant, former Principal, emphasised the importance of establishing a women’s rugby academy at Hartpury, with a focus on developing the Under-18s and BUCS teams. This initiative has seen remarkable success, and Mo Hunt shared her pride in seeing Gloucester-Hartpury achieve back-to-back championship victories.

Lewis Ludlow and Natasha Hunt also took to the stage to talk about their rugby journeys at Hartpury, reflecting on how their experiences at the college helped shape their professional careers. Their stories, along with the other speeches, highlighted the profound impact Hartpury has had on its alumni, both on and off the field.

Guests were also treated to speeches from current Principal Andy Collop, who spoke about Hartpury’s ongoing growth and success. The evening was rounded off with a video featuring memories from Malcolm Wharton, whose role in founding the rugby academy set Hartpury on its remarkable path.

With over 200 alumni in attendance, the dinner was not only a celebration of Hartpury’s rugby past but also a look towards the exciting future of its alumni community. It was a fantastic occasion, and we look forward to hosting many more events like this in the future.