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24th November 2008

Cambridge Consultants takes to the water

• Cambridge Consultants signs three-year sponsorship deal with Murray Edwards College Boat Club

Cambridge Consultants has announced a deal to sponsor the Murray Edwards College Boat Club rowing team to 2011.  The three-year deal, which was launched at an event at the recently renamed College on 22nd November 2008, will enable the Boat Club to commission professional training, to purchase new kit and save towards the purchase of new boats, and to train the 1st VIII at a specialist overseas training camp.

“Rowing is at the heart of the University’s sporting calendar,” commented Patrick Pordage, Marketing Communications Director at Cambridge Consultants, “but it has also become a well established part of the city’s business culture through the participation of many companies, including our own, in the annual Town Bumps.  Rowing is an excellent team sport, with each member of an VIII relying on the effort of other team members and their ability to work in harmony if they are to produce winning results.  It is precisely this team spirit that we wish to support, and I am therefore delighted to have had the opportunity to support this team.”

Founded in 1954 as New Hall, Murray Edwards College is one of the youngest Cambridge Colleges.  Nevertheless, it has since its very early days participated in this oldest and most traditional of the University’s sports.  After its foundation in 1974, New Hall Boat Club evolved rapidly into one of the most successful Women's Boat Club on the river.  It held the Lent Bumps headship in the first year that women competed in it (1976), and subsequently in 1978 and 1980.  Similarly, New Hall was very strong in the May Bumps, holding the headship in 1977, 1981 and 1984 when Bumps were still rowed in Fours.

As of 1st October 2008, the club has been renamed Murray Edwards College Boat Club.  This is in line with the renaming of New Hall to Murray Edwards College, following the generous endowment given to the college by Ros Smith and Steve Edwards.  The new name recognises the college’s founder, Dame Rosemary Murray, as well as the generosity of the donation.

Philippa Walters, Captain of the Murray Edwards College Boat Club welcomed the invited guests to the launch, adding: “Murray Edward's College is really grateful to Cambridge Consultants for their generous sponsorship of the rowing team and boathouse, and we look forward to a highly competitive season in our newly branded livery.  This new fund will enable us to access more specialised coaching from leading international professionals, arrange a visit to a European training camp, and save towards increasing our flotilla.  We are improving in leaps and bounds, as evident from our recent successes in London regattas.  Now, thanks to Cambridge Consultants, we have the funding to support this growth.  It will make a real difference to our success as a team."

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