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 UCH Whales |
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UCH Whales: The History.
 |  | | Sharks of yesteryear... |
The Whales (the Sharks Oldboys and OldGirls Association) began in 1986 when the first of the Sharks and Sharkettes to have graduated came back to Hull to help out with pre-season training.
To Visit the Whales own site click here
Until the early 90s the Oldboys WeekendTM came at the start of the academic year, in October, to whip the new boys and girls in to shape, but mostly to see old faces and enjoy a weekend of cheap beer. Those first intrepid few had such a good time that they decided to come back the following year, and in no time at all the annual WeekendTM in Hull was born.
Those first few years were rather ad hoc, with returnees dossing on students floors, and basically meeting up with whoever turned up wherever they might bump in to one another. A few years later the now-infamous pact was made with The Marlborough Hotel (on Springbank), and that became the home of The WeekendTM until 1996 when the Whales finally rejected the squalor and relocated to The WeekendsTM current base, The Royal.
Anyone graduating from the Sharks - be they player or cheerleader - automatically become Whales (like it or not!) and are instantly entered on to the now-huge mailing list for such gala events as The WeekendTM (or email charlie - see below) in January and the newly-arrived FUGLYBUPID Summer Ball (this year held in July). Beyond these two formally organised events, former Sharks will agree that The Whales provide a great means of keeping in touch with people who may otherwise have drifted out of ones life forever!
The Whales is a totally open group and welcomes every new member with the same warmth it treats even its oldest members - i.e. get used to having the p**s ripped out of you. In fact, many friendships have been forged between Whales who studied at Hull at different times and only met because of The Whales.
The WeekendTM
The high point of The Whales social calendar is The WeekendTM at the end of the first full weekend in January. Although a few die-hards turn up at lunchtime on the Friday,festivities begin in earnest with a Bev Roader on the Friday evening. Saturday morning is given over to practice (e.g. "this is a ball..." and "no, pom-poms go on your hands!"), with the disco/buffet in The Royal in the evening. Sundays game is always a little painful with hangovers and soft bodies paying the price, but the trip out to the pitch is always worth the pain later in the evening when the stories run thick and fast in the Union Bar. The WeekendTM rounds off with people paying absolutely no attention to one of the Conference Championship Games in The Royal, and OldBoyz trying to entice Cheerleadings into their rooms! One of the nice features of The WeekendTM is getting to know the new Whales who come along each year - just ask some of last years new OldPeople.
Whales v Sharks: The Battle Continues...
There have been many titanic struggles between these two organisations over the years. The Whales currently are winning the series, with a commanding lead of 12/5. Here is a breakdown of the scores since the beginning of time....
1990: Whales 18 Sharks 10
1991: Whales 23 Sharks 8
1992: Whales 10 Sharks 6
1993: Whales 6 Sharks 18
1994: Whales 24 Sharks 10
1995: Whales 14 Sharks 7
1996: Whales 21 Sharks 0
1997: Whales 22 Sharks 8
1998: Whales 21 Sharks 20
1999: Whales 16 Sharks 7
2000: Whales 14 Sharks 3
2001: Whales 0 Sharks 24
2002: Whales 0 Sharks 13
2003: Whales 6 Sharks 0
2004: Whales 0 Sharks 6
2005: Whales 14 Sharks 7
2006: Whales 0 Sharks 6
The FUGLYBUPID Summer Ball.
The Ball is a new event this year, but, having been received so positively, will become an annual event from now on. Basically another excuse to get together and beer it up, its also an opportunity to get all tarted up at the same time.
Blubber.
Every year The Whales produce a magazine for The WeekendTM, Blubber. Basically a collection of articles by Whales belittling, abusing and defaming fellow Whales, this periodical is always craving new blood and follows the following editorial maxim - if we cant be arrested for publishing it, it gets in. So, best writing trousers on.
Contacts:
Any Sharks graduating this year who want more information on, well, anything concerning The Whales are more than welcome to contact me (Colin) on (01274 619551), or can email me at: Colin_Hancock2@Yahoo.co.uk or Tom Slocombe(0208 5197141) at: Tom@InItGroup.com for Blubber related stuff.
For anything relating to the Old Boys Weekend or being added to the blubber mailing list contact Charlie King at: Charlotte.King@dds.co.uk.
Other Alumni Organisations.
Oldboyz and OldGirlz backing is an important part of many of the BCAFL teams. Many Oldboyz games are organised around the year, either between current teams and Oldboys, or between different Oldboys organisations. Cheerleader reunion Socials are also regular events, mostly being excuses for them to wear 'those' uniforms again! Here are links to some of the more prominent groups.
Lancaster Alumni:
The University of Lancaster.
UKC Alumni:
The University of Kent.
Aberystwyth Alumni:
The University of Aberystwyth.
Oxford Alumni:
The University of Oxford.
Surrey Alumni:
The University of Surrey.
Leeds Alumni:
The University of Leeds.
Stirling Alumni:
The University of Stirling.
Staffordshire Alumni:
The University of Staffordshire.
UEA Alumni:
The University of East Anglia.
Nottingham Alumni:
The University of Nottingham.
Bristol Alumni:
The University of Bristol.
Warwick Alumni:
The University of Warwick.
BCAFL Dinosaurs:
League Records of Registered 'OldBoys'.
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