Presidential Election

Hardy Cubasch (CUBC)

 

Fellow Hawks,

 

My first memory of our Club was before I was even a student at Cambridge, when I had been visiting both here and (unfortunately I must admit) the other place. I was taken to the Clubhouse and clearly remember the friendliness and hospitality that existed between the members I met. The unique club atmosphere and camaraderie is something truly special and one I know we are all honored to be a part of.

 

Cambridge is also about history and tradition and each of us play an important role in preserving this within our Club for future generations. I have been a very proud member of The Hawks’ Club throughout my time at Cambridge and also feel privileged and honored to sit on the current committee.

 

Taking on the role of President brings with it many additional responsibilities and a deeper knowledge of the Club’s workings and administration. I have discussed these with a number of former Presidents and am confident to be your representative in these areas. I also enjoy close relations with Mike, Karen and Sarah as well as many senior alumni of the Club, all of whom play an active role in providing the fine venue we are all fortunate to enjoy.

 

On a more professional note, I believe I have the experience in both the sporting and administrative arena to be your President. I have been a proud member of the CUBC for the past two years and previously competed and won medals at Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championship level. Between 2004 and 2006 I was the President of the University of Queensland Boat Club and later became a Board Member of Rowing Queensland whilst also working for Goldman Sachs. These roles have provided me with a great deal of experience at the highest level of sport and also the skills to help handle the intricacies of leading a proud and historical sporting club.

 

If elected President I would like to continue the recent success of our previous committees in attracting a broad base to our membership. The majority of us are only at Cambridge for a limited time but we know our memories will last a lifetime. Our university experience is about enjoying the companionship of those we know well whilst also meeting those outside our usual circles. The Hawks’ Club provides the perfect dynamic for this to occur and I am excited about the prospect of working with potentially one of the most diverse  and experienced committees in the Club’s history.

 

This is very encouraging as each committee member will have a variety of experiences and beliefs that will help us decide what we do well as a Club and how we can make every members experience more enjoyable. For our mandate is to help preserve the history and traditions of the Club whilst also making sure every Hawk has some bloody good memories of their time at Cambridge and even more so within the walls of The Hawks’ Club.

 

It would be my honor to be your President and help provide and share in these experiences.

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Ian Ralby (CULC)

 

A noted journalist and social commentator once wrote that “Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.”  The Hawks’ Club epitomizes that service by bringing individuals who exhibit such excellence together into a unified cohort. If elected Hawks’ Club President, I will work to uphold the integrity of the Club, and to further its tradition as a place where Cambridge men can come together in celebration of their sporting achievements.  At the same time, I would seek to expand the activities of the Club in three main areas:

1.       Hawks’ Talks—I have already spoken with such notable Hawks as Ian Robertson, Lord Bilimoria, Gavin Hastings and Mike Brearley, all of whom are keen to return to Cambridge to speak next year.

2.       Sporting Facilities—Having come from the United States and having spent the last three years playing a “minority” sport at Cambridge, I am keenly aware of the lack of quality sporting facilities available to many of the teams here.  I would use the position of the Hawks’ Presidency to help try to address those shortcomings in a responsible and respectful manner so as not to jeopardize the image of the Club.

3.       Hawks’ Network—Given the august membership of this Club, it is a shame there are not more and richer cross-generational interactions.  As President, I would work to connect the resident membership with the more senior Hawks, both socially and professionally.

 

In general I’d like to continue the momentum generated this year to make sure the Clubhouse is a place for members and their guests to have fun, but also a welcoming place for a respectable evening.

 

As a qualified lawyer, I take a meticulous approach to leadership positions, recognizing the importance of the office and always seeking to leave it in as good, if not better shape than when I entered it.  After having served as both Captain and later President of the Cambridge University Lacrosse Club, and having worked hard to help turn around a team that was struggling for existence a few years ago, being a member of this year’s winning Varsity squad was the proudest and most exciting experience of my time as a Cambridge sportsman.  In addition to training or competing six days a week for much of the last three years, I also presided over the 2009 St. John’s May Ball; served on the executive committee of two other St. John’s May Balls; helped run such other events as this year’s Hawks’ Charity Dinner and Residents’ Evening, the inaugural Gates Scholars Ball, a speaker series for the Gates Council, the 2009 Varsity Lacrosse Matches, Awards and Dinner; and organised or participated in numerous smaller academic and sporting events.  

 

As I enter the final year of my PhD, and thus the final year of a long academic and sporting career, I can think of no better way to put to use my experience in organizing, my love of good times, and my passion for sport at Cambridge than to serve as President of the Hawks’ Club.  I sincerely hope you will give me this opportunity.