Dublin University Boat Club 14.3.01, Trinity College, Dublin 2	February 9th, 2010

UNIVERSITY COLOURS - PINKS

Boat Club Pinks Criteria >>

History

The awarding of University Colours as distinct from Club Colours was debated for some years in D.U.C.A.C. before a scheme initiated by Terence Millin, a captain of one of Trinity’s greatest Rugby XV’s and afterwards a famous Harley Street surgeon, was accepted in 1927/2. The Pink to Trinity sportsmen and women is designed to correspond, although not exactly, to the Light Blue of Cambridge and the Dark Blue of Oxford.

The relevant extracts form the D.U.C.A.C. minutes are as follows:

1. The University Colour shall be Pink.
2. Club Colours may be awarded as heretofore.
3. Clubs to send forward to the Hon. Secretary of D.U.C.A.C. the names of those to whom a pink shall be awarded, the names proposed shall be stated on the summons calling the meeting which shall be issued 6 days before the meeting.
4. That the names for those proposed for University Colours shall be submitted to a Committee of the Captains of the associated Clubs. This Committee shall recommend to D.U.C.A.C. those who they consider worthy of University Colours. D.U.C.A.C. reserve the power to veto the award of colours to any individuals mentioned.
5. Pinks shall be awarded not principally on a team basis, but on merit.
6. Half Colours shall not be awarded.
7. There should be two meetings at which the University Colours shall be awarded, one meeting at the close of the summer season and one at the close of the winter season.

Pinks are awarded on individual merit, which is generally assessed in terms of representative selection or external achievement. The awarding of University Colours however, may well be related to outstanding club performance. The set of guidelines established and circulated to captains should be viewed in a minimalist sense, i.e. they form necessary, but not sufficient conditions for the awarding of University Colours.

It is important that high standards be maintained, viz. in those sports to which it applies, selection for Irish University teams is, in general, insufficient to justify a Pink, interprovincial representation is often a surer guideline.

D.U.C.A.C does not review the awarding of University Colours, but it does review the guidelines. To assist the Captains Committee, the D.U.C.A.C. Standing Committee comments on standards and on the actual nominations. They will also seek guidance from national administrative bodies where necessary.

Notes for Pinks Applications

1. The Captain or Club representative proposing candidates, or proposing changes to his clubs standards, must forward all relevant information to the Secretary of D.U.C.A.C. at least one week before the meeting.
2. A full sporting history of the candidate is required, i.e. information from all levels of sport, including junior competitions
3. A supporting letter from a coach and/or representative of the National Governing Body for his/her sport.
4. A list of those proposed, with the relevant information will be circulated to the Captains three days before the meeting. This list is confidential.
5. Captains must be present at the meeting. Deputies, except in exceptional circumstances and those of no.4 will NOT be allowed to attend the meeting.
6. If a captain is being proposed, another representative of the same club must be present at the meeting to respond to any questions.
7. There shall be two meetings in each academic year to award University Colours. A candidate may be proposed for a Pink at only one of these meetings, and, if unsuccessful, may not be proposed for another year. A candidate whose nomination for Pinks is withdrawn, however, may be re-nominated at the next meeting.
8. The sporting achievements for which the candidate has been nominated must have been attained while the individual is a student at Dublin University. Candidates must be proposed for Pink within one year of leaving college.
9. At the captains meeting to award Pinks, fifteen Captains plus the Chairman and Hon. Secretary of DUCAC shall form a quorum. The decision whether a candidate should receive University Colours shall be a ballot. For success, a 75% vote in favour of awarding a pink is required. The Chairman may vote only if a Captain is being proposed, or if the meeting is inquorate by one person.
10. These rules shall be outlined by the Chairman at each meeting.

The following is an indication of the desired levels of sporting achievement which should be strongly considered as worthy as a Pink. If the word “or” is not stated, the particular club feels that all sporting achievements involved should be achieved.

For all clubs, there is a stipulation of two years regular first team player or colours. This should not be considered sufficient for University Colours, but is necessary before a candidate should be nominated for a Pink. This condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances, e.g. one-year students.

The achievement of any given standard does not necessarily make a Pink certain. Since the list of standards is not exhaustive, other achievements can be taken into account when proposing candidates. It must be stressed that the many standards for clubs may vary widely, and it is therefore up to the captain to expand on the merits of his candidates achievements.

The Committee should be aware that the standard of various teams, championships etc, can vary from club to club and from year to year.

Aikido

1. Been an active club member for two years
2. Achieved black belt standard

1. Selected for Irish Universities first eleven.
2. Selected for League of Ireland ‘B’ Team
   
   OR
   
   
3. Selected for Amateur International first eleven

Badminton Club

1. Represented the club for at least two Badminton seasons (i.e. four college terms) in League and Intervarsity matches.
2. Irish Senior Provincial Standard as classified by the Midland Branch Badminton Union of Ireland.
3. For players of other nationalities who cannot be classified in this way: an equivalent Irish Senior Provincial Standard as reckoned by the Selection Committee, based on their performances at league and Varsity matches and individual performances at various tournaments in the British Isles.

1. Represented the club 1st team for at least two seasons
2. Selected for the Irish Universities team for two seasons
   
   AND
   
   
3. Selected for a Junior County team (approx senior provincial standard)
4. Selected for Senior County team
5. Selected for Interprovincial or International team.

1. Rowed in a final at Henley
2. Won the Irish Senior Championship in any class of boat.
3. Rowed in the Home Internationals
4. Rowed for at least two seasons on a good senior crew.