Rupert Allison has played hockey since the age of seven. With sixteen years of experience now behind him and a range of representative and university honours, he could be forgiven for seeking a new challenge. But his passion and commitment to the sport remains evident. Rupert clearly balances sporting commitments successfully with academic study. Allison is conducting research into Astrophysics, with the aim of completing his D. Phil. over the next eighteen months. This has followed on from recent graduation from Cambridge.
Having grown up in Sheffield, Allison was introduced to hockey from a young age along with his siblings. His natural talent was quickly evident, and by the age of ten Allison was playing men’s hockey at his local club. Allison told Cherwell that “though a challenge, this experience has served my hockey career well.” By the time he was 17, Rupert was playing for Sheffield Hallam in the National League. A very high standard for experienced hockey players let alone a teenager. Additionally, he was representing England at under 18 level. These experiences were again a steep learning curve for Allison, but it has not dissuaded him from harbouring aspirations of playing in the National League once more.
Captain of the Blues Hockey team this year, Allison enjoys the responsibility that this role entails. His respect and admiration for coach John Shaw is clear, as is his close relationship with the rest of the Blues squad. “That so many of last year’s Blues remain in this year’s squad shows continuity,” he says, and this is something he feels has contributed to recent success. The Blues have enjoyed significant amounts of this lately. In 2012/2013 they finished second in the South Premier Division 1, one tier below the National League. This year they have continued this success in the South League and dominated the BUCS South Premier Division. This culminated with a 3-1 victory over Bristol which ensured the championship for the 2013/2014 academic year. The squad’s achievement is all the more remarkable given the quality of opposition, with the universities of Bath and Exeter both f ielding teams in the National League on a Saturday.
For this reason Allison is confident of leading the Blues to success in this year’s Varsity match. The motivation for the squad is even greater given the memory of last year’s disappointment. The match finished 1-1 with the Varsity Cup remaining in the Light Blues hands following their victory the previous year. Allison also points to the stability provided by coach John Shaw as reason to be confident. Whereas Oxford have had the same coach for ten years, Cambridge have had numerous coaches and have a new one this year. Allison hopes that this will play into Oxford’s hands come 9th March. Having been an undergraduate at Cambridge and represented the Light Blues in Varsity matches against Oxford, Allison “certainly expects some banter from members of the opposition”, some of whom are close friends. Nonetheless, he is driven by the desire to lead the Dark Blues to victory.
Few individuals represent their country at any sport. That Allison has coupled this with academic achievement is remarkable. The Men’s and Women’s Blues Varsity Hockey matches are on 9th March at Southgate Hockey Club with transport available from Oxford to the venue. The Men’s Blues play the full England Women’s side at Iffley Road on 3rd March
