SMU Rugby – aka “Home of the City Boys” has seen batches of rugby boys played passionately and bonded over their love for the sport. Many of them continue to return to SMU after graduation to play and to coach their juniors. Some of these passionate alumni had a vision to provide a platform for rugby boys to continue playing the sport and relive the glorious rugby days of yesteryears. The vision became a reality when the SMU Rugby Alumni Group was launched on 21st August 2017.
Held at the University Lounge, over 50 SMU Rugby alumni and students came together to celebrate the official launch of the Group. The formation of this interest-based Alumni Group brings the total Alumni Groups to 35. The SMU Alumni Groups are niche communities for alumni formed under the SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA) and supported by the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR). The groups are formed under school-based, interest-based, programme-based (or postgraduate) and affinity alumni groups. These individual alumni groups receive funding from SMUAA to conduct at least two engagement events a year. OAR will facilitate the establishment of new alumni groups, spearheaded by either alumni or faculty.
All eyes and ears were on OAR Director Associate Professor Low Aik Meng as he welcomed the alumni back to SMU and thanked the Executive Committee for starting the Group. He was pleased to see these dedicated alumni taking the initiative to form alumni groups. “We would like to form as many alumni groups as possible for alumni to connect based on interests, industry or affinity. We hope that these groups will grow from strength to strength and provide an avenue in the future years for alumni to come back to and hence building an active alumni community with a strong alumni identity.”
SMUAA’s Marketing Executive and alumna Josephine Wang (BSocSc 2016) shared with the audience the benefits and privileges of the Association’s membership. She also called for volunteers to step up and serve in the Association’s Executive Committee to help build a cohesive SMU community. As an umbrella alumni body, the SMUAA plays a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between alumni and SMU, building the SMU brand, and shaping a premier institution.
President of the SMU Rugby Alumni Group Daniel Marc Chow (BSc (Econ) 2009) addressed the crowd and laid out his vision and plans for the Group. “All of us love rugby and we had a good time in SMU. We hope to create more of these memorable times with activities such as Past Vs Present friendly games, social events and rugby tours.”
SMU Rugby’s current captain Thaddeus Soh thanked the seniors for paving the way for the sport in SMU and stressed that they will continue to do their best to uphold the SMU Rugby spirit. He gave thanks to the current Sponsor for the SMU Rugby team who was also present to witness the launch.
The Group’s launch was commemorated with the passing of the rugby ball amongst the members of the Executive Committee and OAR Director. Everyone cheered loudly and gave a toast in celebration. The night continued on for the rugby boys as they mingled and bonded over drinks and great fellowship.
For more photos from the event, view the Alumni Facebook album. Visit the SMU Rugby Alumni Group page for more information about the Group.