Feature
First in sports
We were honoured to celebrate our very first Sports Union President, John Carvell, at the SU's Blues and Colours Awards Ceremony
Published on 24 April 2026
Spring at the University is always a time for great celebration of sport. The Tay Varsity Challenge Trophy sees students from Dundee take on Abertay across 28 sporting events, while the finest in student sport are recognised at the Blues and Colours Awards Ceremony.
At the ceremony this year, it was our privilege to also recognise John Carvell, the first Sports Union President in 1967, with an Honorary Full Blue.
John has played a seminal role in the development of sport and the Sports Union at the University, as Sport and Active Health Co-Director Paul McPate tells us.
“The role of the University’s first-ever Sports Union President at that time was particularly significant. This non-sabbatical post provided representation and advocacy for the 24 member clubs of the newly formed Sports Union. Elected to this role was a 21-year-old medical student - John Carvell, who was a member of the Athletics and Harriers clubs.”
“When the University of Dundee was established as an independent institution in 1967, the university’s student numbers totalled 2,324 – almost 1,000 students less than the current Sports Union membership!" Paul says. "As the new University sought to establish its own unique identity, sport played a key role in galvanising the student body, while delivering sporting success which helped to showcase the University and grow a sense of community amongst its students.
As the first Sports Union President, John’s contribution to the development of the Sports Union and the wider support and growth of sport across the University was significant – including the decision for scarlet and white to be the chosen colours for University of Dundee sports clubs, the precursor for the red, black, and white we see today.
Described by Annasach (the student newspaper of the time) as “personable and clear-headed”, John certainly required both of these attributes as he successfully led the new Sports Union through its eventful first year, which included:
- a nationally significant visit by a touring South African university rugby team (during the era of apartheid in that country)
- establishing criteria for the new university’s first-ever Blues and Colours awards, and
- supporting the 24 new sports clubs as they sought to survive and thrive in a new environment.
All this while studying for a medical degree!
Paul adds, “I’m pleased to report that John not only successfully managed to juggle his degree commitments with his Presidential responsibilities, but he also went on to enjoy an eminent career as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, being awarded a Fellowship of the British Medical Association in recognition of his services to medicine.”
On receiving his Honorary Full Blue, John spoke with pride, “Every individual taking part in sport at university aspires to do their best and if in so doing that they reach the pinnacle that merits the award of a Full Blue, it is a great achievement. I was deeply honoured to be awarded an Honorary Full Blue by the University Sports Union, and I will treasure the moment for the rest of my life.”