50 years of the Heinke Trophy
50 years of CUUEG!

Cambridge University Underwater Exploration Group wins the 50th anniversary Heinke Trophy award in the 50th anniversary year of the branch!

Cambridge University Underwater Exploration Group (CUUEG) has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Heinke Trophy for 2008. This is the premier award of the national governing body, the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), and is awarded annually to the branch judged to have done the most to further the interests of its own members and of the BSAC in the previous calendar year.

The Heinke Trophy was donated to the BSAC in 1958 by the old established British diving firm of Heinke, which had been making high quality hard-hat diving equipment for many years and had then developed its own special range of sports diving equipment. Heinke always took a pride in quality and service, so this superb trophy, in the form of a shield with a silver sports diver motif, is an appropriate reward to all of the members who have worked hard for it.

CUUEG had an exceptional year in 2007, including an elaborate 50th anniversary ball for current and alumni members. Amongst the guest speakers was Dr. Nic Flemming, who founded the society in 1957. The group built on this success, and hence it is fitting that the 50th anniversary of the Heinke Trophy (it was first awarded in 1958) should coincide with the 50th anniversary of the recipient.

With over a thousand BSAC branches worldwide, CUUEG has punched above its weight as a relatively small branch remote from the coast, and is the first university branch of the BSAC to win the Heinke Trophy since Edinburgh University in 1991. George F Brookes, the adjudicator of the Heinke Trophy mentioned some particularly pleasing aspects of the entry:

• Branch has worked constructively within the university 3 year turnover of members.
  
• Valuable hand over to new committee at first meeting after AGM.
  
• Considerable and effective organisation & planning for water diving training.
  
• A wide range of diver qualifications across the membership.
  
• Over 1000 dives mainly at UK diving sites for training and enjoyment.
  
• Diving equipment provided specifically for CUUEG needs with a 5 year replacement plan.
  
• Excellent well constructed entry; a good read throughout.
  
• Wonderful record of the year, interesting archive document for branch history.

The full report that CUUEG submitted for the Heinke Trophy can be downloaded here (pdf 16.2MB)

The BSAC press release announcing the result can be found here.

The Heinke Trophy was presented to diving officer Ian Greogry and his predecessor John Kendall at the 2008 Diving Officer's Conference. Pictures from the event can be found below, coutesy of David Martin.

George Brookes also attended the CUUEG Annual Dinner to present the club with a permanent certificate and trophy.